Bluetooth for $9.99 from newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Special/ShellShocker.aspx

Looks like an alternative to messing around with cards and opening up the laptop. Just plug it into your USB port - should be able to work behind the seals.

 

I've seen these at the local Walmart, and thought about picking one up for myself, but I don't really use any Bluetooth devices.

 

I bought a whole bunch of these from china for much less than that. I supose they would be cool for the models that have 2 usb ports but for the lower marks you take all your usb ports unless you have one of those USB hubs that goes in the PCMIA slot.

BTW: I butcher them and put them in HP computers for internal bluetooth. makes the mark-up on these laptops much more enjoyable

 

You have to be fast... I guess
The link sent me to a deal on a sata hard drive now

Here is a current ebay link to adapters that might last for more than 4hours

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390077834366&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Alex

 

$10 is actually pretty expensive for a bluetooth adapter. Those things are dirt cheap.

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=bluetooth+adapter&price1=&price2=7.00&lnk=prsugg

 

Sorry, yes, the deal is already over. The link I posted to was one of these super-small USB dongles. $9.99 seems to be the lowest price around so far. For the person who wants bluetooth for their toughbook, I think it's a great deal without having to hack open the machine.

 

Did you see the deal that Tomcat posted? I just bought 10 of those from the very guy he posted. The good thing is the guy is in NY and you don't have to wait for shipping from HK...

You can plug them in and they work great... Or you can mod them internally and save the exterior USB port.

If you feel better about paying $9.99 for them... I have several I can sell you!

 

Wow!!! That is extremely cheap!! Thanks tomcat!

 

Got mine for $2.89 but took 3 weeks from Hong Kong.
http://cgi.ebay.com/MINI-2-4G-USB-2...in_0?hash=item4836cf0d6f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Blair

 

I got 10 from that seller that tomcat listed. but I ordered about 40 from HK at $1 a piece and got them to do express shipping and it got here in about a week. Express shipping only cost me $5 more I'll have to get that ebay seller name and let ya'll know. Would only beneficial if you are willing to stay up till like 2am to actually talk with one of their peeps so they can set up a custom listing just for you.

Dan

 

You can make an offer for the listing Tomcat put up. I can't remember what I offered... It was little below what he has posted... But I ordered a bunch. He may not do it for one.

 

Is there a lot involved in modifying the USB adapter to have it work internally? I do not do a lot of hardware modifications on my own computers, but if it's a simple procedure I might want to integrate it on my laptop.

 

You would not be able to offer a Panasonic Reseller's waranty on it if you did.

But to answer your question... It is fairly easy to install internally using one of the inside ribbon connectors and a little micro-soldering. However... To be able to switch it on and off you will need to fab up a Darlington Circuit. There are a few posts about it around somewhere.

 

Pricing partially depends on what specs you're seeking in a Bluetooth adapter. Change that search to look for Bluetooth v2.1+EDR, and the prices are higher, as evidenced by this Google product search sorted by lowest price first. Even some of the lowest-priced products in that search should be excluded, because they are v2.0 and not v2.1 ("2.1" gets picked up in some of the product listings because of the 2.1 Mbps listed for some v2.0 adapters). Also, the aforementioned eBay listings were for v2.0 devices.

After making you specification selection, you then need to decide whether you want a Class 1 device or a Class 2 device....


Just something to consider when comparing Bluetooth adapters. If you know what features you need and can do without all the latest trappings, you can certainly save some money, but just beware that some of those Bluetooth adapters differ in more than just price.


Recent Bluetooth Specification History--
* v2.0 + EDR - November 8, 2004
* v2.1 + EDR - July 31, 2007
* v3.0 HS - April 21, 2009

 

I was actually referring to my own personal laptop (as in the one I use at home outside of work). As far as the reseller warranty we're actually able to repair/modify the Panasonic Toughbook units here and still offer both Panasonic's factory warranty as well as our own. The hardware work sounds like it'd be a bit too much for me though.