Need help: WIMAX on Sony FW and Z series laptops?

(I know the below question is a bit long, but I will really appreciate if you can reply, because whether or not I will buy a laptop entirely depends on your contribution!)

I am considering buying a laptop before I leave the U.S., because the prices are much more expensive in Europe.

Of course I want a future proof laptop, so I am interested in buying a laptop having a Centrino 2 processor based on the Montevino platform. In terms of future proofness, in future I would also want to benefit from WIMAX capability of Centrino 2, when WIMAX is rolled out in my country.

I will either buy Sony’s Z series or FW series laptop, both of which accommodate “Intel WiFi Link 5100AGN (802.11a/b/g/n)” as wireless module. I will not be here in the 4th quarter of 2008, when new Sony laptops with “Intel combo WiFi/WiMAX Link 5150/5350” modules are released, nor I can benefit from such modules in Europe because Europe mainly uses 3.5 GHz band for WIMAX, whereas U.S. uses 2.5 GHz band; and the afore-mentioned combo module will be compatible only with 2.5 GHz.

1) This is the time to ask my first question: Although the laptops I am interested in do not include a WIMAX module, according to what I understand from Intel announcement, add-on WIMAX cards for these types of Centrino 2 laptops will be available. So first off, please correct me if my understanding is wrong. Here are the links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centrino_2#...

(Look at the chart under the heading “Montevina platform (2008)” titled “Wireless networks”. There you will see one of the options is “an Intel WiFi Link 5100/5300 mini-PCIe adapter (codenamed Shiloh), and the add-on card WiMAX (802.16) (codenamed Dana Point)”. And the Sony laptops I am interested in have 5100.)

A similar link:

http://news.softpedia.com/news/July-14-T...


2) After a little research I have found out that this “add-on card” will be in form of Express34 PC card. ( http://www.skycross.com/News/2007/103007...

Although according to this link it seems that in the time being Intel is only going to release this card compatible with 2.5 GHz, I assume Intel would not deprive of its European customers and eventually release Express34 PC card compatible with 3.5 GHz in future. So, when such card is released, am I going to benefit from WIMAX with Sony’s Z or FW series laptop when I stick the card to these laptop’s Express Card slot??

I reach the conclusion “yes”, though I want to see some tech-savvy guys’ confirmation about this. I am trying to guaranty myself. I want to leave the door open for the WIMAX technology.

Many thanks in advance for your contribution!

 

I beg, please, could someone answer my question??

 

Siemens has recently released a SE68 ExpressCard (I'm not sure its a 34mm version). This card supports both 2.5 and 3.5Ghz WiMAx version. So, I imagine other manufacturers will launch or has already launched similar cards.

IMO there shouldn't be any problem. If not Intel, others will provide us with WiMax ExpressCards.

Where did you get that information?

 

It is expected that Sony will release laptops including the codenamed Echo Peak wireless modules (which is a Wi-Fi/WIMAX combo module) until the end of 2008.

Just google it and you will this info everywhere.

 

Isn't there a single person to answer my question??

I thought that there would not be a better venue to ask my question than notebookreview's forums. I registered just to ask my question, but I am quite frustrated.

 

Don't worry about integrated wimax. You will be able to purchase a data card for either express card or usb by the time wimax is running. If you are going to be in europe, wait and see what tech the carriers in your area are going to. You can get data cards now with max speeds as high as 7.2 Mbps and 14.4Mbps should be coming soon on the current 3g HSDPA and HSUPA standards used in europe.
Wimax is an iffy bet in the long run as it is, most GSM providers are going to be using LTE as their 4G network standard. Vodafone and Tmobile off the top of my head. Wimax is the 4G migration path for CDMA based networks (Verizon and Sprint in the US) and Verizon has stated that they are going to LTE for 4g and Sprint is on the way out of business (loosing subscribers to the tune of around 1mill a quarter) Wimax is not looking good even in the US.
4G network rollouts are still a few years away on any large scale, most likely at least 2 years before significant coverage is available.

 

I can't imagine the protocol you mention with regard to WIMAX being massively adopted in a manner that would make you feel like you were missing out on something, or that current standards would somehow be/become inadequate or inferior in Europe or anywhere anytime in the near future.

 

You can keep tabs on WiMax here: http://4g-info.blogspot.com/
http://evdoinfo.blogspot.com/search/label/wimax