X61s (Re: [ltp] Self-install or commercial install?)

[Haines Brown]

> I think built-in WWAN is a no-go. I don't know of any other terrible
> issues. I'm happy enough with the 4965AGN wireless.

David, thanks for the encouragement. As for WWAN being a no-go, I'm a
noobie on these issues. I gather WWAN entails cellular phone APs
(WIMAX, WMAN); an integrated WWAN means the computer has a cellular
radio built into it, and for the service, I would pay a (hefty?)
fee. I suppose the advantage is that you can gain Internet access more
broadly geographically, for you have access to cell phone repeaters
(or whatever they are called) rather than close proximity to a WLAN
access provider (AP).

As for the Thinkpad X61s, the first major option is to choose whether
or not to have "Mobile Broadband". It adds $140 to the price, but not
sure what it refers to beyond that it offers broadband data transfer,
such as VoIP. Is this the WWAN to which you referred?

I've no idea whether I expect to be out of range of a WiFi AP. My main
need is to access my home machine by SSH from a laptop. I suppose that
WiFi would probably work in any city, in airports, on a cruise liner,
and in city suburbs, some hotels, some campuses, etc., but spotty when
in small towns and countryside. Is there any hotspot coverage map?

Haines