Home > Mobile Computing Tips > Mobile Technologies and Trends > Wireless laptop evolution
Mobile Computing Tips:
EMAIL THIS
 TIPS & NEWSLETTERS TOPICS 

MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES AND TRENDS

Wireless laptop evolution


Lisa Phifer
01.19.2006
Rating: -4.35- (out of 5)


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


The first wireless interface to be embedded in laptops to any significant degree was probably Infrared (IrDA), added to Windows 95 for cable-free printing. In 2003, Intel Centrino fostered an 802.11b explosion; as a result, Wi-Fi now ships as standard equipment with virtually every laptop. 2005 was the year that Bluetooth finally emerged as a factory-installed option on many laptops. As new technologies appear, what wireless interfaces can you expect when you order your next laptop, and which should you buy?

Reaching faster and farther

Announcements made at this month's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) provide insight into recent wireless developments and their impact on corporate laptops. For example:
  • Intel announced its next generation Centrino Duo mobile technology. A new Core Duo processor improves performance-per-watt efficiency for wireless laptops and the embedded Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection enables use of 802.11a, b, or g wireless LANs.
  • The Lenovo Group announced Thinkpad T60 and X60 series laptops, which use Centrino Duo technology to run up to 11 hours on two batteries. These new laptops also provide embedded support for Verizon Wireless' CDMA2000 EV-DO wireless service, using Lenovo software to manage multiple wireless connections. Similarly, HP announced the new Compaq nc6140, which uses Qualcomm's CDMA2000 EV-DO chipset to pair with Verizon's service.
  • Atheros demonstrated its next generation XSPAN Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) wireless solutions at CES. New MIMO products based on this Atheros approach will combine three transmitters and three receivers to deliver up to 300 Mbps with improved reliability and range.
  • Samsung and Korean telecommunications provider KT demonstrated WiBro, a Korean wireless broadband service that is based on 802.16e (mobile WiMAX). During this demo, Samsung laptops and smartphones used WiBro to receive streaming video, videoconference feeds, messages, and pictures at speeds up to 800 Kbps. WiBro is eventually expected to offer 20 to 30 Mbps aggregate throughput, at distances up to 5 kilometers.

Up close and ...

Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   



RELATED CONTENT
Mobile Business Benefits
Your mobile strategy is always a moving target
The benefits of dual-mode fixed mobile convergence
Mobile unified communications services
Enabling mobile business applications: A strategic approach
Mobile unified communications products
Mobile applications: Making anywhere access a reality
Trends in mobile computing
Mobility: Past, present and future
Motorola offers new Voice over Wireless LAN smartphones
Wireless rate negotiations: How to get the best deal

Successful Mobile Deployments
CDMA technology
Your mobile strategy is always a moving target
Five steps to mobile unified communications
Enabling mobile business applications: A strategic approach
Microsoft trying to grab Verizon's mobile search from Google
Defining mobile IT solutions
Hospital chain boosts indoor cellular with distributed antenna system
CallWave brings Web conferencing capabilities to mobile devices
Fixed-mobile convergence: Dual-mode versus cellular-only
Podcast: Extending the network to the mobile workforce

Notebooks and Laptops
Nokia to enter the netbook market
Can the smartphone replace the laptop?
Dell Latitude D430 with U7700: Laptop review by user
Lenovo ThinkPad X200 laptop review
Laptop technology fundamentals guide
HP Voodoo Envy 133 business ultraportable debuts
HP, Dell lead laptop sales for Q1 2008
Laptop review: Dell XPS M1530 user opinions
Lenovo laptops keep score at the NBA Finals
Laptop review: Lenovo ThinkPad T61 user opinions
Notebooks and Laptops Research

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
enterprise-mobile integration  (SearchMobileComputing.com)
Virtual Home Environment  (SearchMobileComputing.com)

RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary


personal

Bluetooth is popular as a cable replacement for connecting headsets and vehicle audio systems to PDAs and smartphones. Bluetooth can connect many devices to corporate laptops -- for example, synchronizing PDAs, sharing business cards, and sending files to portable printers. Bluetooth operates over a distance of 10 to 100 meters, depending on device class. Version 2.0 Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) can reach up to 3 Mbps. In mid-2005, the Bluetooth SIG announced that it will develop its next high rate Bluetooth specification based on Ultra Wide-Band (UWB) radio. UWB can send data over short distances at very high rates with low power consumption. Currently, there are two competing standards that deliver 500 Mbps at 2 meters, or 110 Mbps at 10 meters.

Convenience, cost, and ubiquity

End users prefer embedded wireless primarily for convenience. PC cards and USB wireless adapters may be small, lightweight, and relatively inexpensive, but they're easily forgotten, lost, and broken.

Corporate purchasers must also consider consistency of equipment in the field for maintenance and tech support. Even small differences in per-unit cost matter when you're buying in bulk. While this is true for every laptop feature, embedded network technology requires further consideration.

After-market wireless adapters create variability in the installed base, but they do provide more flexibility as technologies mature. Laptops ship with embedded Ethernet by default because 10/100 Ethernet is stable, and has been for years. When you order embedded wireless in your next laptop fleet, you'll be driving a stake into the ground. So choose carefully -- your networks and services must support those laptops for years to come.


[IMAGE][IMAGE]
[IMAGE]
About the author Lisa Phifer is vice president of Core Competence Inc., a consulting firm specializing in network security and management technology. Phifer has been involved in the design, implementation, and evaluation of data communications, internetworking, security, and network management products for nearly 20 years. She teaches about wireless LANs and virtual private networking at industry conferences and has written extensively about network infrastructure and security technologies for numerous publications. She is also a site expert to SearchMobileComputing.com and SearchNetworking.com.

Rate this Tip
To rate tips, you must be a member of SearchMobileComputing.com.
Register now to start rating these tips. Log in if you are already a member.




DISCLAIMER: Our Tips Exchange is a forum for you to share technical advice and expertise with your peers and to learn from other enterprise IT professionals. TechTarget provides the infrastructure to facilitate this sharing of information. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or validity of the material submitted. You agree that your use of the Ask The Expert services and your reliance on any questions, answers, information or other materials received through this Web site is at your own risk.



Mobile Computing Security - Device Security, Mobile Authentication, Mobile Threats

Notebook Deals at Notebook Review

HomeNewsTopicsITKnowledge ExchangeTipsMultimediaWhite PapersProducts
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
SEARCH 
TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2003 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts