Modems dropped from Thinkpads?

Message

hman · #1 Post by **hman** » Mon May 09, 2011 12:09 pm

To recent Thinkpad owners - I recently bought a T520 which is in transit. The order detail, which is a bit cryptic, had a line that said "No Modem". There's a port on the back for one, so I asked a person at Lenovo, who told me that Thinkpads have dropped having modems installed, and it has been this way for a few months now.

It this correct? I can't find any info on this by searching. Review websites say the modem is there, but they could have it wrong - they might just see the modem port and assume it's installed.

I don't expect to need a modem, but you never know. It seems strange to have the port, and not have the modem.

Does anyone know more detail on this? Thanks.

hunterman223 · #2 Post by **hunterman223** » Mon May 09, 2011 12:41 pm

No, it is still available on the configure to order page. It is left out by default, but can be added on. That probably means that they are in the process of dropping them.

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hman · #3 Post by **hman** » Mon May 09, 2011 1:33 pm

I don't see an option on the T520 configuration page for the modem. Can you point to where it is? Thanks.

hunterman223 · #4 Post by **hunterman223** » Mon May 09, 2011 2:39 pm

That's strange, I swear t was just two days ago that I was playing with some configurations of the X, T, and W series and the modem was still available. I have also seen it in video reviews and read about it, but I jut looked now, and like you said it is no longer an option.

They must have decided to phase it out all together now. I suppose it's getting harder to keep them in supply, and modems aren't much use these days anyways, but for a few situations.

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hman · #5 Post by **hman** » Mon May 09, 2011 3:22 pm

Yes - I talked to two people at Lenovo, and they have said that modems are no longer an option.
They do say that pre-configured T520s at retailers can still be found with modems. You might think
that they would phase them out once moving to a new product model. Well - perhaps pre-configured
models don't have them either.

In 6 years of T42p use, I've never used the modem port, so it's no big deal. But, with the physical port
available on the T520, it would have been nice to know that the option was there if ever needed.

hunterman223 · #6 Post by **hunterman223** » Mon May 09, 2011 4:34 pm

I feel the same way - as many ports as possible on a laptop. I imagine you could add it on fairly cheaply, but I have no idea whether the modem suffers from the classic 1802 error.

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blackomegax · #7 Post by **blackomegax** » Mon May 09, 2011 5:00 pm

definitive answer:

my T420 has a firewire port where the modem would be, according to the hmm.
so i assume it's a choice of firewire, or modem. there is certainly a 56k daughterboard reference in the hmm, though.

#8 Post by **jdhurst** » Mon May 09, 2011 5:15 pm

We still cannot send / receive faxes without a modem (so far as I know). I use Snappy Fax.

Otherwise, there is less and less reason to have a modem. I use an added modem in my ThinkCenter M90p to send/receive email when cable is not working.

I would hate to have to carry around an external modem with me. ... JDH

Dude · #9 Post by **Dude** » Tue May 10, 2011 11:07 am

I just recieved my T520 last week, so I must have one of the older ones, haha. Mine came with a modem, but I am not sure I will ever use it, as others have said.

Isn't there a type pig tail connector/modem that you can plug an, rj11 phone jack into, the USB ports any way? If that is the case, seems like that would be the better solution these days. This may be another technolgy feature that rides off into the sunset, like external diskett drives.

Dude · #10 Post by **Dude** » Tue May 10, 2011 12:53 pm

Here is the USB - Modem pig tail for $49.95.

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... u_area=yes

It says it does data and faxing.

"The Lenovo USB Modem offers easy access to the Internet using dial up service. Simply plug the modem into the USB port and connect the phone line to the other end.

Features and Benefits:

Attaches via USB
Easy to use
Technical Specifications:
- Speed: Data up to 56kbps, fax at 14.4kbps

- Supports caller ID, wake on ring, telephone answering (V.253), modem on hold

- V.92 software support

General
Model name 43R1814
Description Lenovo USB Modem
Web Price $49.95*

Communications
Fax modem speeds 56Kbps
Fax/modem description Lenovo USB Modem

Limited warranty[7]
Limited warranty period One year

Fax Modem
Description Lenovo USB Modem
Form Factor External Enclosure