Samsung Reveals Mondi WiMAX Tablet

Maureen · Site Admin Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 200

Photos (but no specs) have leaked of Samsung's upcoming SWD-M100 Mondi WiMAX tablet, which will work with the Clear network in the USA.

Read more here: Samsung Mondi Tablet

Tablets have yet to really take off and WiMAX is only available in limited locations at the moment - do you think this will be a successful item?

vlad1000 · 4G Newbie Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 6

there are tons of devices out there available that connect to plain wifi. this model has a built in wimax? for what?! just make it work with wifi..period...sheesh

Maureen · Site Admin Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 200

vlad1000,

Remember that there's a big difference between WiFi and WiMAX. WiFi is simply the rebroadcasting of an existing internet connection (which could be DSL, cable, EVDO, HSPA, WiMAX, T-1, etc etc etc), while WiMAX is itself an internet connection. Computers with built-in WiFi capabilities are able to connect to a WiFi network, but behind every WiFi network there must be an actual internet connection. WiMAX-enabled devices like this tablet are able to connect to the mobile WiMAX network wherever WiMAX is available.

For example, the iPhone has WiFi capabilities and AT&T 3G capabilities. In my home I have a WiFi network set up with a cable modem and a wireless router. At home, I can connect to that WiFi network on my iPhone and use that for my connectivity, but when I'm not at home I can surf the web on my iPhone on AT&T's 3G network. If I'm not at home or at Starbucks or another place with WiFi, simply having a WiFi-enabled device does me no good.

DeltaSPARTAN003 · Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:14 am Post subject: @vlad1000

You must not be inteligent. WiMax is the Revolution of Wifi. Not just a security or expantion area output upgrade but, totally different. Being pioniered by intel makes it more awesome.

AMA · 4G User Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 34

Hard to say on this one. On the one hand, seems like a no-brainer. BUT, imbedded proprietary modems bombed a couple years back, as notebook users didn't wanna have to be tied to one specific network, if they were on the go.

In my case, I'll eventually have Sprint/Clear, AT&T and VZ, to be fully covered on the road. Having one of those services via imbedded modem is not likely to be a huge plus; just means I'd carry two USB modems instead of three.

Also, as has been pointed out on this board, imbedded Wi-whatever doesn't allow for antenna capability.