Toshiba crams WiMax modem inside updated laptops

Toshiba has announced that it will be cramming a WiMax modem inside some of its notebooks and offering them up for sale soon. The new machines are designed to take advantage of the 4G WiMax networks that are being rolled out in major metropolitan areas around the country. Several of Toshiba’s popular notebooks will get WiMax options.

Among the machines that will get WiMax are the Satellite A665, the Satellite M645, the Portege R705, and the Satellite E205. The A665 laptop is a 16-inch notebook with a HD screen and premium audio. The rig can be had with the latest Intel Core processors and optional discrete graphics from NVIDIA. Models with WiMax will start at $804.99.
The M645 is a 14-inch notebook with Core processor options, premium audio, and more. It will start at $759.99 with WiMax inside. Toshiba’s R705 is a smaller 13.3-inch notebook aimed at mobile users with a weight of three pounds. The machine has integrated Intel Wireless Display tech and will sell for $899.99 with WiMax. The E205 is a Best Buy Blue Label exclusive machine with a 14-inch screen GeForce 310m graphics, and more. The machine sells for $1079.99 with WiMax.

Best Buy to offer notebooks with CLEAR WiMAX modules

CLEAR has announced a partnership with Best Buy which will make WiMAX capable laptops available at Best Buy locations across the US. The goal is to outfit every laptop with an Intel Core series processor that Best Buy sells with a 4G modem by the holiday season.

The CLEAR press release only mentions a couple of models by name, including the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 netbook, Inspiron 14 and 15 laptops, and Toshiba Satellite M645 notebook.

It’s not clear at this point whether the CLEAR modem will drive up the price of these laptops, but the 4G network is offering customers a $100 discount on the notebooks when they sign up for a 2-year service contract.

While CLEAR says the WiMAX capable laptops will be available at every Best Buy location across the country, it’s also not entirely clear why you’d want to pick up a notebook with a CLEAR modem at each of those locations… since CLEAR’s coverage area doesn’t even come close to Best Buy’s.

via Electronista