Some basic questions about mobile internet and the x6 series

[paul*robertson]

Hi,
As i understand it some x series models have the ability for mobile internet.

1. Is it only those with an aerial built into the lid
2. Are all the aerials the extendable type or are some just moulded in.
3. Can you add this feature to one without it (looking at x60).
4. Is it only SIM activated. Is this a limiting factor as most deals for mobile internet use a dongle.

The reason i ask is i'm after a X6 series and am debating wether to go for one with the mobile internet built in option.

thanks
Paul.

[adrianaitken]

My X60- doesn't have the extra mini-PCIe slot or SIM card holder so I'd have to use a USB dongle if I wanted 3G on it.
My X61 however, has the external aerial (pull up one) and the SIM card slot (next to the memory cards under the base unit). It also has the important 2nd mini-PCIe slot so I can use an internal 3G card as well as having my WiFi card installed.

It's really a matter of preference - did you want the convience of carrying everything internally or having a USB dongle ?

A USB dongle can always be changed (to WiMax etc) far easier than changing out an internal card which, if it doesn't have Lenovo's approval, means also loading a hacked BIOS.

[paul*robertson]

I'd love to say its all clear now but it isn't. You need a sim card holder to get mobile internet, okay i get that. Do you need the aerial that sits on the side, or are some built in.

[adrianaitken]

Whoa, it's not that simple The external aerial is just one connector. Lenovo have a fancy 2nd aerial which doesn't attach to the card but is screwed down next to it - it's a glorified aerial booster.
You need external aerials to stop the laptop casing blocking the signal (over the mini-PCIe cards it's just plastic).

HTH

[paul*robertson]

Adrian, regarding your X60, could you not get a mobile broadband dongle thats sticks in the side. Operationally speaking does the built in WLAN/ WANN have any advantage.

[adrianaitken]

For the X60 I could, but I leave it at home and take the X61 out and about.

[EOMtp]

Operationally speaking does the built in WLAN/ WANN have any advantage.

Elegance, primarily. If you are considering an external device, then you would be far happier with a PC Card for the X60/X61 than a USB dongle device which is mechanically awkward and unstable, at best. The Sierra Wireless AirCard 880 is solid and fast. Here is an example (albeit a bit pricey):
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sierra-Wireless-A ... 1e59202eb2

[paul*robertson]

Okay thanks. As someone who has two X6 series thinkpad, do you have any advice for someone looking for their first.

[paul*robertson]

Elegance, primarily. If you are considering an external device, then you would be far happier with a PC Card for the X60/X61 than a USB dongle device which is mechanically awkward and unstable, at best. The Sierra Wireless AirCard 880 is solid and fast. Here is an example (albeit a bit pricey):
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sierra-Wireless-A ... 1e59202eb2

Basically it sticks out, just not as much and a lot less likely to get knocked. You'd still need a SIM card though.

[EOMtp]

You'd still need a SIM card though.

SIM card for the AirCard 880 (or any external device) mounts on the Aircard 880 itself, not inside the notebook. The internal SIM card holder, if any, can be used only by an internal WWAN card.

-- If you have options, then get an s unit -- X60s or X61s.
-- s units come with "normal" or "UtraLight" screens -- if you have options, then get one with an "UltraLight" screen. It is both lighter and brighter than the normal screen, but it's the brightness that is most striking.

-- If you do not care about 64-bit computing and care about quiet, i.e., fan not running, then get the X60s rather than the X61s.
-- If you get an X60/s and want internal WWAN, then make certain the unit has the SIM card holder (underneath, next to memory). If it has the SIM holder, then it will also have the second mini-PCIe slot for an internal WWAN card. All X61/s units have 2 mini-PCIe slots, but not necessarily a SIM card holder.

Note: You cannot use a WWAN card in the WLAN mini-PCIe slot, in case you were wondering if you could "get away" with just one mini-PCIe slot on an X60/s.

[paul*robertson]

Thankyou.