Verizon WAN: Ericsson 43R9151 vs Gobi 1000

[rokahn]

I didn't get a Verizon WAN when I bought my T400s but want one now. It was originally available with an Lenovo 43R9151 (which I'm told is made by Ericsson) but, starting this week, new T400s' are configured with a Gobi 1000 (Qualcomm). The Ericsson is available as an aftermarket accessory from Lenovo and others while the Gobi is unavailable except when the computer is first purchased.

What's the difference between these two? The Gobi can handle all frequencies/formats so it's more flexible, but it may be crippled to work with only one provider. Any other differences? I just ordered the Ericsson which I'll use for the coming month during which the Gobi may become available. Is there any reason to swap them out during this trial period?

[bill bolton]

What's the difference between these two?

The Gobi 1000 is a dual mode card that can handle both 1xEV-DO (Verizon and only a few others globally) and 3G (just about eveyone else globally) WWAN standards on the 850MHz band (and few other bands).

http://www.option.com/en/products/produ ... ons/#start

Cheers,

Bill

[rokahn]

Is the Gobi 1000 available to buy separately?
If purchased from Lenovo when configured with a new laptop, is it somehow locked to Verizon or AT&T (they charge different prices depending on which you pick)?

[chairsky]

One more thing

Gobi has S-GPS rather than A-GPS, which means you can locate yourself in 1 minute rather than 5 minutes for A-GPS, and futher, better signal

[msnflier]

Hi,

My new T400s came with an AT&T modem built-in, but in many places I travel AT&T's signal is terrible. VzWireless has much better service so I bought a new WWAN modem from CDW which is listed on their web site as the Lenovo 43R9151 (see the link below).

The install was easy - took about five minutes - and after restarting the computer I just used Lenovo's System Update service to automatically download the driver. Then went out on Vz's web site to pick up the appropriate VzAccess software for the WWAN chip (there's a specific variation of the VzAccess software for the chip).

It comes up as a "Gobi 1000" on my VzAccess software. I am away from home and don't have any tools with me, but I can check tomorrow night and see whether it's actually a Gobi or Ericsson that I installed, if you think that might be helpful for you.

I haven't fiddled with the GPS yet, nor have I tried it outside of Vz's network beyond the US. That said, it's my first experience with Rev. A and thus far it's worked great. In fact, I'm visiting my friend in Columbia, SC and switched to the Vz WWAN from the hotel's free wireless because the Vz WWAN appears to be significantly faster.

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/defaul ... 43r9151#TS

[EOMtp]

If purchased from Lenovo when configured with a new laptop, is it somehow locked to Verizon ...

It is locked to Verizon, i.e., a Verizon/Vodaphone SIM which will bill to your Verizon account when you are on GSM outside the U.S.

[Peak2Peak]

Is the Gobi 1000 available to buy separately?

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