Broadband EVDO service Antenna

[jumboloan]

Is there anyway to boost the internal EVDO card with an external antenna? I don't get good reception. I am thinking this could be a major flaw in the Z if it cannot support external antenna.

[GomJabbar]

While I could be wrong, it is my guess that the Z-Series will not have an option for an external antenna. That said however, the antenna built in to the laptop display lid should have somewhat better reception than the PC card version.

[craigg]

There is no external antenna option and in an independent test I read that the Thinkpad Z with EVDO was not real good in reception. The best PCMCIA EVDO adapter is the Kyocera model and my guess is the folding antenna is key to the better reception.

While I could be wrong, it is my guess that the Z-Series will not have an option for an external antenna. That said however, the antenna built in to the laptop display lid should have somewhat better reception than the PC card version.

[warmstrong]

This is one of my hesitations with these new integrated EVDO laptops: no external antenna option. I've been using EVDO and its predecessors for some time now. Currently I have the Kyocera PC card and carry around New York City in my laptop bag both a sunction cup external antenna designed for use in automobiles and also an external antenna with a magnet on the bottom. While I'm not convinced that an external antenna can improve the signal dramatically given my experience using them, it is nice to know that especially when you have a weak signal there is the possibility that something might help. The EVDO signal is generally very good here in NYC, such that I have stopped trying to find a WiFi signal except when I am in a client's office where I know the IT people. Where I think an external antenna can offer some peace of mind is when you are traveling in a car or train, or in a more remote location on the fringes of cell service. The one problem with the external antennas is that the connection is small and flimsy. I've already destroyed one Kyocera EVDO modem by inadvertently pushing in the antenna connector. It would be a real drag to do that on an expensive laptop!

[fbrdphreak]

There is no external antenna option and in an independent test I read that the Thinkpad Z with EVDO was not real good in reception. The best PCMCIA EVDO adapter is the Kyocera model and my guess is the folding antenna is key to the better reception.

While I could be wrong, it is my guess that the Z-Series will not have an option for an external antenna. That said however, the antenna built in to the laptop display lid should have somewhat better reception than the PC card version.

Link to independant test?

[craigg]

Here is the review of the Z60t with EVDO on chip:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1867353,00.asp

Here is a second review comparing several EVDO pcmcia cards showing the Kyocera to be the best:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1814499,00.asp

I have been doing research on broadband WAN options and I believe I will purchase the Cingular HSDPA service assuming it launches on November 1 as anticipated. I'm currently using Verizon's EVDO service by tethering via bluetooth to my Motorola e815 handset and at this time I'm not too impressed with the throughput.

There is no external antenna option and in an independent test I read that the Thinkpad Z with EVDO was not real good in reception. The best PCMCIA EVDO adapter is the Kyocera model and my guess is the folding antenna is key to the better reception.

Link to independant test?

[warmstrong]

My reading is that it is going to be awhile before HSDPA is ready for primetime. Initial launch is in just a few cities. Seattle is the most prominent one. I'm quite happy with my Kyocera PC card on Verizon. Would like to see even more coverage, though. Sounds like in the long run HSDPA will be faster than EVDO, but implementation is key.

I have been doing research on broadband WAN options and I believe I will purchase the Cingular HSDPA service assuming it launches on November 1 as anticipated. I'm currently using Verizon's EVDO service by tethering via bluetooth to my Motorola e815 handset and at this time I'm not too impressed with the throughput.

[epbrown]

I used to use the Verizon service with an external antenna on a pc card; reception wasn't much better with the antenna. I found the antenna at one of those shops that advertise in the laptop rags - I want to say Mobile Solutions? It was only $20 or so, not a big deal. But my previous apartment was from the 1920s, and the construction so solid that getting any sort of signal was difficult (tv and radio reception were lousy).