Lovable Sidekick@lemmy.world to Ask Lemmy@lemmy.worldEnglish · 2 months agoPhones are handheld computers now. Why aren't laptops phones? I know you can use VoIP or tether to a phone, but why don't laptops have LTE or 5G modules and SIM card slots as a standard?message-squaremessage-square60fedilinkarrow-up11arrow-down10
arrow-up11arrow-down1message-squarePhones are handheld computers now. Why aren't laptops phones? I know you can use VoIP or tether to a phone, but why don't laptops have LTE or 5G modules and SIM card slots as a standard?Lovable Sidekick@lemmy.world to Ask Lemmy@lemmy.worldEnglish · 2 months agomessage-square60fedilink
minus-squaregencha@lemm.eelinkfedilinkarrow-up0·2 months agoRegulation. Where I’m at, a device capable of making phone calls, must allow emergency calls by any user. Data is all you can get
minus-squareAce@feddit.uklinkfedilinkarrow-up0·2 months agoThat can’t be the reason. I feel like that would be pretty easy to implement. I can’t see manufacturers saying “well we could put cellular capabilities in laptops but if we also have to allow emergency calls then we’ll just not bother”.
minus-squareQwaffle_waffle@sh.itjust.workslinkfedilinkarrow-up0·2 months agoIt’s a lot of work and cost for something that is not a large market need. Instead people use their phone as Hotspot.
Regulation. Where I’m at, a device capable of making phone calls, must allow emergency calls by any user. Data is all you can get
That can’t be the reason. I feel like that would be pretty easy to implement. I can’t see manufacturers saying “well we could put cellular capabilities in laptops but if we also have to allow emergency calls then we’ll just not bother”.
It’s a lot of work and cost for something that is not a large market need. Instead people use their phone as Hotspot.