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I was about to order one of these but realized that there is no GPS or WWAN? What's up with that? Every single review said that the X300 contains both?

computerpro3 wrote:I was about to order one of these but realized that there is no GPS or WWAN? What's up with that? Every single review said that the X300 contains both?

I was wondering the same thing too.
From what is says in the tabook, the MiniPCIe WWAN shows "Verizon+GPS"
I assume that means you have to get a WWAN card with your X300, otherwise there's no GPS for you.
Maybe they're using some sort of tri-town thing to track where you are, as same thing we can find in the newest version of Google map in iPhone.
Any thoughts?

Hmm, I think that clears it up. The GPS is really A-GPS, the stuff that's built into all the cell phones. And I was excited that it was a real GPS.

So where's the WiMax?

Good info and questions, thanks.

- Where's the WiMax? Will it work with Sprint's upcoming WiMax service?

- Is the WWAN + GPS card sold separately and user installable (since it's currently not available to add in the Lenovo order page)?

- Can this 'Verizon' EVDO WWAN card use Sprint's EVDO service instead, or is it somehow locked in to Verizon??

- Will there be an HSDPA (+ GPS) card option?

A-GPS isnt in all cellphones, at least that I know of. Its in high end nokia's, a lot of HTC's, etc, and uses cellular data to assist the GPS module (an actual GPS module like a sirf or TI) in obtaining a satellite lock faster. The "GPS" system in all cell phones is simply a triangulation based off the cellular tower grids, which is what google uses.

In any event, I was playing with the options too and didnt see an actual GPS chipset... and theres no way Im paying high prices for verizon data just to use a GPS cause even a bluetooth module would be cheaper and more accurate.

All US cellphones have AGPS. This is part of the e911 requirement. The government wanted to make sure that emergency responders would know the location of someone calling 911.

Anyhow, according to what I've seen the GPS does not require a Verizon subscription. This could mean it is a real GPS, or just that Verizon doesn't charge just to use the GPS.

I'd guess that Sierra Wireless' integration of gpsOne in its WWAN modules (which Lenovo uses) is probably standing behind the GPS feature. It should be a real GPS, but you need the WWAN card to have it.

beq wrote:- Where's the WiMax?

AFAIK, Intel WiMax capable chips wont arrive until mid-year, at the earliest

Cheers,

Bill B.

That's bad news about the WiMax Mid-year, does that mean Lenovo has to first refresh the X300 with Intel's new Montevina platform (Cantiga chipset) with built-in WiMax support??


As far as GPS, Lenovo's announcement pages for both 6478/6476 and 6477 state under the Reference Information section:

GPS is available only with Verizon WWAN systems. The GPS is satellite based, not carrier assisted. You do not need to activate the WWAN card.

The pages also mention an AT&T Broadband option in addition to Verizon broadband, although none of the announced models have AT&T -- and I guess when their AT&T HSPA card does become available it won't have GPS?

According to lenovo WiMax will be available in the U.S. starting May and during the same period in April or late May, thinkpad X300 will be offered with standard HDD.

Will the wimax and wwan be able to be retrofitted to existing models?

Thank you Beq.

Where will the wimax go? Does it replace one of the full PCI-E slots? Or will it be a combine Wimax / 802.11 a/b/g/n.

Can I add WWAN miniPCI to the system later (user-replacable)? I hope I haven't missed that answer anywhere else in this topic.

jamess wrote:

Can I add WWAN miniPCI to the system later (user-replacable)?

I wouldn't worry too much about that if I were you, because whatever Lenovo offers as WWAN option will not work where you are....

Why is that? It wouldn't work? That's too bad, having one of the most advanced mobile networks in the world (so they say), offering HSDPA and 3G with 100% coverage for years now, and every second high school kid having HSDPA cell phone, and I can't have it in my top-notch laptop. It's a pitty.

At least one German dealer told me that the "Vodafone" branded HSDPA card they are selling with X300 is not sim-locked. So it should work "everywhere".

Maybe things are different on the other side of Atlantic, where different operators are using different technologies. In Europe all operators are using the same UMTS/HSDPA stuff so you can use the same device with different operators.

So far I haven't seen those miniPCI cards being sold separately.

juhap wrote: So far I haven't seen those miniPCI cards being sold separately.

That's a shame, even worse so, because i can't order it pre-configured as well.

Things are very different on this side of the ocean, and the technologies are nowhere near as advanced as in Europe...but that's a whole another issue.

The people to talk to in jamess's case would actually be not Lenovo themselves, but the actual network provider(s) in Slovenia. I imagine that whoever had originally build the new network over there would have an answer whose card can be used, if any.

And, to answer beq's question regarding Verizon vs. Sprint service on these: the network type (CDMA) is the same, but you will not be allowed to use a Verizon device on Sprint network, or vice versa, ever. So you're stuck with Verizon, or AT&T when that option becomes available. And, in this technology there is no SIM card as there is in GSM, so unlocking is not an option.

There seem to be some mentions of SIM card slot in X300 HMM. There will be options for this and hopefully even the SIM card slot can be added later after purchase (e.g. as with T60). And Sierra Wireless does offer new UMTS/HSDPA miniPCIe modules with GPS, so even this feature should come eventually.

Zender wrote:There seem to be some mentions of SIM card slot in X300 HMM. There will be options for this and hopefully even the SIM card slot can be added later after purchase (e.g. as with T60). And Sierra Wireless does offer new UMTS/HSDPA miniPCIe modules with GPS, so even this feature should come eventually.

There's a sim card slot also the WWAN antenna pre-installed.
But as far as I know, it will be equipped with a MC8775 card, and it does not come with gpsOne functionality.

jamess wrote:That's a shame, even worse so, because i can't order it pre-configured as well.

Same problem in Finland.

According to the service manual the UMTS module used is "Sierra Wireless MC8775 PCI Express MiniCard" and it is customer replaceable. The FRU number for the EMEA/ANZ (Vodafone) model is 42T0931.

I was able to find the module with the FRU number from the (local) IBM spare part store. Price is 275 EUR (excluding taxes).

Can anyone confirm that the current versions of the x300 shipping now have the extra antennas in the screen and has the slots installed for the wwan and gps? I really would like to get an order placed but if I cant upgrade to those when they become available i wont even consider it now.

Weez wrote:but if I cant upgrade to those when they become available i wont even consider it now.

The current advice from Lenovo is that WWAN and GPS are NOT field upgradeable devices, so buy at your own risk!

Cheers,

Bill

Thanks Bill!

Thats a good enough answer for me.

On the other hand, you'll note in this thread that the poster had no problem putting in the WWAN from his other thinkpad into the X300...which is good, b/c I plan on doing the same.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=57395

I've been told by Sierra Wireless tech support that GPS is available on the MC8775V via a firmware just like voice is disabled at the factory on some models (but is able to be activated through DC Unlocker) the GPS is disabled and it is up to the OEM who puts the MC8775 into the computer whether they want to activate the GPS or not. What kind of GPS it is (GPSOne or a true, independent receiver) I don't know but I'd like to turn it on and find out for myself. Here's the e-mail from Sierra Wireless:
Hi Thomas,
We are unable to provide direct end user
support for embedded OEM module.
You will need to contact the laptop manufacturer
in which this device was
preinstalled.

The MC8775V has GPS capabilty, however it needs
to be activated with a
firmware.

Regards,
Tech Support

I've tried installing the firmware for their MP 875 GPS model (which is not OEM, publically supported, and downloadable from their support page). The MP 875 GPS model is basically a MC8775 in a ruggedized housing so it should work. But the firmware version, H1.1.8.3, is the same as the one on my card. I installed it anyway, along with the 3G Watcher program for the MP series (also available on the same support site) which supposedly gives the GPS status as well (see the user manual for the 3G Watcher program underneath the download link for the program) but still no luck. I can't get the GPS to turn on. Here's the link for the MP 875 support page where you can find all the above programs:
http://www.sierrawireless.com/support/s ... =20,14,1,1

Anyone have any ideas how to turn the GPS on?