Integrated LTE vs Hotspot

[pjandb]

Hey there,

I saw that many people want integrated LTE in the new V.
How is an integrated LTE module better than a hotspot from your phone?
Many phones now have dual sim capability.
Are speeds different?

[Lore_Wonder]

@pjandb

How is an integrated LTE module better than a hotspot from your phone?
Many phones now have dual sim capability.
Are speeds different?

1. Mobile hotspot drains the battery. Having LTE support in the new V allows the 2-in-1 to use cellular data without tasking a phone. Also, using build-in LTE means one less step it takes to turn on data.

2. Free up one of the dual SIM slots in a phone (if a user requires dual SIMs) to help expand storage. In some phones like the Galaxy S20, one of the slots is compatible with MicroSD cards.

3. LTE is beneficial for school use, where a phone may not be present.

• The speed difference is dependent on the power settings of a phone.

[pjandb]

How much cost would a LTE module add to the final price?
If it was ~10-20 $/€ or whatever I wouldn’t mind and the reasons given would justify the extra cost.
Paying 50 $/€ or more for the module, the reasons given wouldn’t justify the extra cost.
For me personally, I guess. But I also think 50€ more can be a deciding factor for some people.

[Lore_Wonder]

I agree with you on the cost-saving perspective of not including an LTE module. Furthermore, I am concerned about a 3042 form factor LTE module occupies about 47mm, 30mm motherboard space, which potentially prevents adding more serviceable 2280 M.2 SSDs & SODIMM. You can find an example from my design topic.

Share your concepts of 2-in-1s here -- incl. Three designs for the new V!

I like your idea, although there are a few challenges to note: LTE: A typical LTE card has a 3042 form factor, which is 8mm wider than a WiFi & Bluetooth card. CPU + GPU: The heat pipe must be straight when it comes across a CPU / GPU. All other components need to make way for the turning of a heat pipe. I also agree that using strong magnets to hold the backplate could be an excellent idea. I have made a rough sketch, and I believe you get the idea of sacrificing a serviceable compone…

[pjandb]

Size wasn’t even a factor that I considered, but you are totally right. Another argument against a built-in LTE module.

[Smyler316]

I also don’t want to pay for more data on my cellular bill. Using my hotspot works fine. It’s a swipe and 2 taps to turn it on… not a big deal.

[Mohammad_Hadi]

My biggest reason as well. And now with the latest windows updates you can control your android phone from your computer. I can have my phone in a backpack and turn on Hotspot.

[Smyler316]

I didn’t know about that. That’s helpful.

[Cedric_Petitcuenot]

Personally I use either my phone or a Netgear Nighthawk® M1 case. Have an lte modem in the device. Do not seem relevant or useful to me it takes up space. Energy and most of the people will not use it either little. There is now a much more effective solution.

[marconjecture]

In my thinkpad there is a 2242 M.2 slot for a WWAN module can also take a short PCIe SSD. There is no reason, why the WWAN M.2 slot could not be arranged in space to alternatively take a second full sized 2280 PCIe SSD.
Most people won’t need either a second SSD nor the WWAN module. But if desired, users could upgrade on their own.
Biggest question would be the number of available PCIe lanes to spend on this port, with the external Thunderbolt ports using up a lot of them.