XOHM updated their products list on their website to feature several laptops that have WiMAX chips embedded, including several by Acer, Lenovo, Asus, and one from Toshiba. The "selling point" of these laptops is that you won't need any external modem to access the network - just activate the internal device and you'll be able to use XOHM anywhere in the coverage area.
While that may sound convenient, the downsides to purchasing one of these laptops FAR outweigh the convenience factor. A while back our sister site, EVDOinfo.com, we discussed several reasons why EVDO-embedded laptops are not the smartest choice for customers seeking the best EVDO performance, and we feel the same way about the new WiMAX laptops.
There are several reasons to strongly consider going with an external modem over an embedded device. Let's take a look at some of them:
1) Antennas: If you opt for a WiMAX-embedded laptop, you forgo the option of ever being able to connect an external antenna to boost your signal. If you find yourself in an area with spotty coverage - which is entirely possible, since WiMAX will not be widely available for quite some time - your only option to increase your signal would be an expensive cellular repeater.
2) Long Term Use: If WiMAX upgrades to a new version in the future - like EVDO Rev A vs EVDO Rev 0 - your laptop will only be able to access the original network.
3) Using Different Computers: With an external device like a USB modem, you can plug into any computer that has the proper port (USB or ExpressCard) - this is great if you want to switch between your desktop and laptop, or your work computer and home computer, etc. This is obviously not a possibility for people using an embedded device.
4) Sharing the Connection: The option of using a router to share your signal with multiple computers has been a huge boon to many wireless broadband users. With an embedded device, you will have no way to utilize a router and broadcast the signal to other computers! You'll be paying the same price to access the network on ONE computer that others are able to SHARE with multiple users.
5) Connection Manager: It is currently unknown whether these laptops will utilize the carrier's connection manager or if, like the EVDO laptops, you will be limited to using the laptop manufacturer's connection manager. This becomes a big problem when updates to the firmware and new features become available. With a dedicated device, carriers make those updates available immediately - but they do not make it a priority to get these updates to users not using their connection manager.
6) What if it breaks?? If your embedded device malfunctions or stops working, you are essentially out of luck. It is extremely difficult to even FIND replacement chips, and even more difficult to actually do the replacing. With the excellent prices of the modems being offered by XOHM, replacing a lost/broken/stolen dedicated device is both simple and affordable.
With these points in mind, it seems like a very poor idea to choose a laptop simply because it offers an embedded device. All of the dedicated devices we've seen thus far are affordable and give you MANY more options to utilize your connection to its full potential!
How do you feel about embedded devices? Would you purchase one? Discuss it on 4G Forums.
