XT Notebook Modules

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › XT Notebook Modules

eXDee

4033 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1070

Trusted

#34026 15-May-2009 20:11

I made a topic requesting suggestions for a laptop here already.
However i have a related but slightly seperate question, and i thought it might interest others too.

What laptops are available in NZ that support XT's 850mhz UMTS with a built in or optional module? The HP 2710p is mentioned in the FAQ thread, are there any others?

matt45

311 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#215197 16-May-2009 09:58

dell studio laptops have the option of a "vodafone" one which 'i think' also supports 850, if not they all have a slot and antenna connectors so you can get a card off ebay and put it in.

digitaldivide

94 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#215205 16-May-2009 11:37

Overseas, all the major laptop/netbook brands have products with WCDMA modules on-board, if it's a feature you are after I recommend you wait until after the XT network is launched, and check out any new products the major brands launch in NZ.

I recommend HSPA+ capability is something you would want the WCDMA module to support. This is because Telecom is adding HSPA+ network capability by Christmas this year :)

If you travel overseas, you might want a laptop/netbook with a WCDMA module that also supports GSM. So if you take a netbook/laptop to a country/location that does not have WCDMA, then the module will automatically search and use GSM instead (dog slow, but better than nothing, and only applicable when roaming overseas ).

There are exciting times ahead for WCDMA modules on the XT network.

richms

29097 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10206

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#215210 16-May-2009 11:54

GSM isnt too bad overseas from what I have heard, since they have not had the strange resistance to edge that vodafone has done. A friend with a first gen iphone said it was quite usable in the states, vs here where wifi is a must.

Richard rich.ms

digitaldivide

94 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#215218 16-May-2009 12:16

Some WCDMA modules support fall-back to GSM which is very handy - not all the world has WCDMA yet.

When I'm in the middle of no-where and only GSM or GSM/EDGE is available, I'm not going to complain :) Anything is great when your on top of a mountain.

richms

29097 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10206

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#215252 16-May-2009 15:17

You will never be in the middle of nowhere in NZ and not have WCDMA and have GSM if you choose XT however, its only when travelling that the fallback is nice to have.

Richard rich.ms