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    Broadband -- Built-in or Card? Which is better?

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by netspots, Oct 31, 2006.

  1. netspots

    netspots Notebook Geek

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    When it comes to broadband access on the Sony Vaio laptops, which do you think is better:

    A) a laptop with a built-in antenna.

    B) a laptop *without* a built-in antenna, that uses a Broadband Card instead.

    All opinions are appreciated...

    Thanks.
     
    netspots, Oct 31, 2006
    #1
  2. pwaggs

    pwaggs Notebook Consultant

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    I have an SZ-370P/C. It has the built in Cingular WAN antenna. I do not think it came with an option at the time not to have built in WAN. Really I see no real reason for it. If I wanted WAN access on my laptop, I would want 3G access and speeds, not EDGE. I suppose that it is just a nice to have at a very high premium price. When you are not in hotspot range and just have to have online access, you can get it via WAN. Personally, I just use my phone in that situation. It has EDGE and can surf the net as well and when push comes to shove I can use it as my computers modem.

    I do not really maximize the functionality of my units WAN but I am sure that you will find people who love it. If I had my druthers and needed to use WAN, I would go without the built in antenna and buy a card that was 3G. If you are going to buy an EDGE type card, then get the built in antenna and manage it all from the Sony interface.
     
    pwaggs, Oct 31, 2006
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  3. netspots

    netspots Notebook Geek

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    Don't the new Vaios use Broadband speeds? Not EDGE? Maybe I'm wrong...
     
    netspots, Oct 31, 2006
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  4. nixon

    nixon Notebook Evangelist

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    Only the new TXN's use Sprint's EVDO service. Any other VAIO's that WWAN at the moment are using Cingular's EDGE card.
     
    nixon, Oct 31, 2006
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  5. netspots

    netspots Notebook Geek

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    Ahhh... thanks! In that case, which do you think is better:

    A) a laptop with a built-in EVDO antenna, like the new TXN.

    or B) a laptop *without* a built-in antenna, that uses a Broadband EVDO Card instead.
     
    netspots, Oct 31, 2006
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  6. nixon

    nixon Notebook Evangelist

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    A laptop with one built in is nice, because there is less sticking out of the notebook to get caught on things and such, but then you are stuck with that technology.
     
    nixon, Oct 31, 2006
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  7. netspots

    netspots Notebook Geek

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    Good point. Thanks.
     
    netspots, Nov 1, 2006
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