Thinkpads Forum

I just received my new T400 and love it. I opted to not get the WWAN option factory installed, as I have no desire to pay $50+ a month for data access. This means I have an unused mini pci-e slot and antennas in my T400. After doing some research, I've come up with two things I would like to use the pci-e connection for, but have some questions:

First, I've read about some users installing WWAN cards with integrated GPS in their laptops and then using the card for GPS functionality without having to buy or use a data plan. I've looked into buying an unlocked WWAN card with GPS on eBay and other places, but some sellers make a point of specifically saying the ThinkPad's BIOS will prevent the card from working. Is there some sort of hard coded restriction on the WWAN cards I can use in the T400?

Second, if I don't (or am unable to) set up a WWAN card in the slot, I was considering installing a ATSC TV tuner card (such as: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... tsupported). I've read about these cards on some of the netbook forums out there, and some people have had more success than others. It looks like reception will be the hardest part of getting it to work. The card comes with an antenna, but I wonder if I could use the T400's built-in antennas fro WWAN? Is the antenna bundled with the card that much better/different?

Anyone?

If I understand correctly Thinkpads block non Lenovo approved cards in the mine pci-e slot. This is a common problem with after market WLAN cards and is documented on the forum. The same is also true for WWAN.

I have seen people use a USB TV-tuner with great success and an external aerial, otherwise an internal one I can imagine would be quite temperamental.

I've heard of this with the T40/T60 series, but does the T400 series also block non-approved cards? If so, does it only block WWAN cards, or are any mini pcie cards not pre approved blocked?