That is absolutely an option, you can spec out multiple laptops with cellular radios. It isn’t standard because it costs extra and most people aren’t going to pay an additional bill for another cell line. Typically they’re more common to enterprise environments with people out in the field a lot.
Hotspots are probably still the more common option though, at least in my experience.
I really wish you could buy sim cards in like, packs of 2-3 and have multiple sims for your devices using the same plan / line.
So your phone, laptop, tablet, etc can all share the same data and potentially voice/text service if they have the right software.
This is why I just use my phone’s hotspot.
I do, too, but it is quite taxing on the battery, which sucks.
Just plug it in to the laptop? Surely the laptop has USB ports?
Don’t really get why we have an argument here. It would be way more ergonomic to just use mobile data instead of having to
- take your phone
- turn hotspot on
- bring your charging cable (and don’t forget it)
If you’re in a train, for example, space is sparse so now you’d additionally need to put your phone somewhere.
Pretty sure Linux supports eSims and some older laptops support Sim cards, you can add one to your PC as well. Personally I just use secure ways of communicating but it would def be useful when your traveling.
My old Thinkpads and even my first iPad had SIM slots. I kinda miss that as it’d be much more handy now. LTE and the precursors were painful to use at the time.
My new(ish) IdeaPad had the SIM option, but it was like 160 euros, and using my phone costs 0 euros.
Those used to be things in the early 2000’s; cellular cards with sims that went into a PCI slot. Surely they still exist?
They are. Skype, Signal, Telegram, whatever other million chat apps. The only thing stopping you using the big cell networks is the telcos stopping it to sell their access, and phones. And some of them may allow it for a fee, but I don’t care enough to find out.
RIP Skype
There are different cellular networks and frequencies in different places so computer manufacturers can’t pick one module and expect it to work everywhere. If you’re paying for service, you’ll want to get the most out of it by having a modem that’s up to date and maximally compatible with the network. So it makes sense to get a plugin device or a WiFi mobile hotspot from your carrier. A WiFi mobile hotspot can additionally be used with other devices.
Also mobile network hardware updates at a decent pace so it’s nice to be able to update those single purpose devices at their own pace independent of your laptop upgrade.
And then carrier and FCC certification are an extra hassle for laptop makers.
Something like a removable “mobile chip” for a laptop could address this problem. Framework could probably pull it off, but I don’t know if the market incentives it.
Framework already released the specification for the add-ons. So some other folk can also make it if they want.
Localized parts are really a thing for electronics. (See keyboards)
I know Dell offers optional cell capabilities in some models. Just like the heated steering wheel in a car, this usually is an option you want to get at purchase. Expansion slots can offer the same capabilities.
There’s a certain vocal tech crowd that is trying to get Apple to put a damn modem in their MacBook Pros, especially since they’ve created their own.
Yes you can hotspot but that’s just one more thing to have to do. There is zero reason not to offer it as an option at this point.
It is an option. Search for cell phone laptop modem and you will find hundreds of cards to install to give you cell phone service.
Literally every internet device has a modem. You just change it from one with a wifi antenna to one with a LTE(cellphone) antenna.
This question was born entirely out of ignorance of the devices existence, not an actual lack of the device existing. I had one in the freaking 90’s.
Does no one remember tablet pcs, which are just low end laptops without a keyboard, that come pretty standard with cell phone service, including iPads???
I know they exist. I was specifically pointing out that lack of feature in a major computing platform.
And I pointed to the iPads, that are keyboardless laptops, that come standard with one from the exact company you criticized. So I really question what you do know.
But that approach you lose wifi.
Though I have 3 laptops with both wifi and cell, 2 old Dells and a newer Lenovo.
I think the complaint here is Apple not even giving the option of both simultaneously.
That’s a fair point, but then I’m just sitting here going “Well don’t but an Apple, duh”. Like you don’t buy a minivan expecting to take it out on the racetrack, so why do so many people insist Apple be what it isn’t?
Apple is like the Nintendo of computers. Are their devices the fastest/top of the line? Not really - at least not at Apples price points. But do they offer a pretty seamless “it just works” performance? Yeah. You buy an Apple if you want that. If you want upgradable hardware or just more customization and features, you… Go elsewhere.
These options for cell and wifi connectivity exist, as you’ve also pointed out. But consumers are overall lazy(yeah, I’ll get yelled at for that, but it’s true - a quick search would have revealed tons of options) and demand solutions just be handed to them. You can’t help those who don’t want to actually learn.
Laptops no longer have extension slots. You used to be able to buy cards for specific purposes and slot them in. Modern laptops have lost this, and most laptops are not self-serviceable, so any cellular modern you get today is going to be an external peripheral.
Where are you finding laptops with integrated cellular chips?
It’s almost like you’d swap out the WiFi card for a sim/WiFi card… Ffs tech literacy really has died, hasn’t it?
Because most places you’d use it already has free WiFi (home, office, train, coffee shop, etc), and everywhere else you can just tether from the phone, so there’s no point paying a separate bill just for the laptop.
But you can still get a laptop with lte, it’s an option if you need it. My x1 yoga has a sim slot. Or you can get a usb dongle.
