3g modem in x220?

[alhaz]

Hello

Im going to buy x220 soon with Gobi 3000 4g modem so I have one question about it. Im from Poland and I need to get one of these machines from US cuz in my country there isnt even official sale of this model yet. And my question is:

1. If I will get x220 with Gobi 3000, will it work with normal 3g sim cards from my polish 3g operators? Or it will work only with US operators? Its very important for me cuz I dont want to spend 125 bucks more for useless device in my country

2. I have also 3g modem from SL 500 Thinkpad(sony ericsson 3705g or smth like that), can I install it in brand new x220 without gobi 3000?

Could anybody check it for me? Or at least someone from lenovo can answer me about that?

Kind regards

Karol

[bill bolton]

will it work with normal 3g sim cards from my polish 3g operators?

Do your 3G providers allow you to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) to their service? There are a whole bunch of 3G providers globally that don't.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[alhaz]

Yes, they allow me to bring my own device. Currently Im using it with internal 3g modem from sl500(SE 3705g), and now Im thinking of x220 so thats why Im asking about gobi 3000.

anybody?

What about modem from sl500? Will it work in x220 "wwan upgradeable"??

I think the best option for me is to buy x220 without 3g and then install it from sl500 but Im not sure about compability, is there any maintence manula where I can check this?

[GomJabbar]

I don't have a direct answer to your question, but you could do as I do. Get an ExpressCard or USB 3G modem and use that. If you get an unlocked modem, it should work with any carrier that supports the same technology and frequencies. You just need a SIM card from your carrier.

I currently use a Sierra Wireless 890 AirCard (ExpressCard) in my X220. The 890 AirCard is branded AT&T, and since AT&T is my carrier there was no problem at all. I got the 890 AirCard off of ebay.

I have used unlocked GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA PC Cards in the past with multiple carriers. These cards should work if they accept a SIM card. Some cards, such as those from Verizon and Sprint in the USA are CDMA/EVDO cards that usually only work with the carrier they were originally sold by, and they don't use SIM cards.

Whether the Gobi card or others are locked, I can't say with certainty, but they probably are - at least for the US models. There are ways where cards can be unlocked, but it is not a certain thing. I tried to unlock a previous version Sierra Wireless AirCard, but the unlock code provider on ebay could not find the code for my individual card. Your best bet is to buy a card that has already been unlocked, or one that has never been locked.

Note that using an internal card (as opposed to an ExpressCard or USB modem) can be problematic if the card you choose is not branded Lenovo or on Lenovo's whitelist for the model ThinkPad you are considering. Use the wrong card and your ThinkPad may not even boot! Search for 1802 error or 1804 error for more info on this. There are some BIOS hacks for some ThinkPads, but I wouldn't expect such a thing necessarily for the X220.

[bill bolton]

Yes, they allow me to bring my own device.

Then if you buy a US ThinkPad model with a Gobi 3000 card that is set up for AT&T 3G, you should be good to go.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[alhaz]

Then if you buy a US ThinkPad model with a Gobi 3000 card that is set up for AT&T 3G, you should be good to go.

Cheers,

Bill B.

I think I missunderstand you. My operator allow me to use other 3g modems than theirs BUT I have to use their SIM card ;/

[yak]

@alhaz

AT&T is the largest US operator that uses GSM, which is your requirement as Polish operators use that tech as well. If you would get one meant for Verizon or Sprint, there would be a risk it might not work because they use CDMA instead of GSM.

[alhaz]

@alhaz

AT&T is the largest US operator that uses GSM, which is your requirement as Polish operators use that tech as well. If you would get one meant for Verizon or Sprint, there would be a risk it might not work because they use CDMA instead of GSM.

Ahh, ok then So when Im selecting gobi 3000 on lenovo site and it says that I have to use sim card its GSM, right? So everyting should be fine I guess

Thanks everybody for help

[NoBackUp]

mate

why take all the troiuble to buy from the USA..

you live in the EU .. so buy one locally .. this means Full Warrenty and also its not a Gobi 300 for here its the Ericsson..

All can be bought online and MOST EU dealers ship EU wide.. if you have a CC Setup a paypal account to pay with protection..

its that easy if you need any help in finding dealers PM me ..

I got mine in Germany (you can order it with any keyboard) 3 Years Warranty then upgraded to GSM

just my 5 cents

your starter for 10 ... http://translate.google.com/translate?j ... D0%26y%3D0

or does it really need to support CDMA ?


if so then buy device in EU ... order part from USA ....

[alhaz]

Well I would buy it from UE, BUT there is a huge price difference for me when I ll buy it in USA

btw. atm Im thinking about using my old 3g modem from sl500(SonyEricsson 3507g) in new x220(hope it will work ok).

Now the only hard thing for me is: i5 or i7 with usb3?