The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Wireless Mobile Broadband Built-In GPS question

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by mindtriplx, Oct 23, 2010.

  1. mindtriplx

    mindtriplx Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hey guys. This is my 1st post here, but I have been reading this forum for a few months now. I own a i7 Sony Vaio VPCZ1290X. I have used this forum to find lots of good info about it.

    This maybe a silly question, but it isn't clearly addressed in anything I have read.
    If you have the Wireless Mobile Broadband Built-In option will the GPS feature work without subscribing to a data service?
    Basically, is the GPS feature dependent on a data plan? Or does it function like the GPS in my car?

    I bought the laptop without this feature because I normally just tether my iPhone. I am wondering if I should be kicking myself for not adding it though.
     
    mindtriplx, Oct 23, 2010
    #1
  2. TofuTurkey

    TofuTurkey Married a Champagne Mango

    Reputations:
    431
    Messages:
    1,129
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Yes it'll work without subscription...
     
    TofuTurkey, Oct 23, 2010
    #2
  3. blue13x

    blue13x Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    42
    Messages:
    801
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Yup. you can even unlock the wireless car bo downloading the Oneclick internet from Sony Europe and changing the firmware in the software
     
    blue13x, Oct 23, 2010
    #3
  4. trieudoahong

    trieudoahong Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    283
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    how can i check if my Z support wwan/gps module or not? thanks.
     
    trieudoahong, Oct 24, 2010
    #4
  5. mindtriplx

    mindtriplx Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Where can I order this part from Sony? I feel comfortable installing it myself.
     
    mindtriplx, Oct 24, 2010
    #5
  6. blue13x

    blue13x Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    42
    Messages:
    801
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    31
    By opening the SmartWi connection utility.
     
    blue13x, Oct 24, 2010
    #6
  7. Achusaysblessyou

    Achusaysblessyou eecs geek ftw :D

    Reputations:
    334
    Messages:
    1,809
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    In order to install the Gobi 2000 card, you need an additional daughterboard from Sony, and if your Z did not originally come with the Gobi card, your Z probably would not have come with one.

    Here's a post from Zoink's unboxing/disassembly thread:

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/6080220-post326.html

    there are images of the card + daughterboard. I assume if you could get your hands on the daughterboard off sony's parts site then you could just go on Ebay and get the Gobi 2000 card then intall it yourself.
     
    Achusaysblessyou, Oct 24, 2010
    #7