Samsung unveils first dual mode LTE HSPA+ netbook at IFA
What the world needs on its LTE networks are tablets, so expect one or two new devices this quarter with LTE and HSPA
Published: 6 September, 2010
READ MORE: Samsung | Netbook | HSDPA | HSUPA | LTE
Samsung used the IFA in Berlin last week to show off what it says is the world's first LTE-HSPA+ dual mode embedded netbook. It could be one of the triggers for all device providers, including the anticipated swathe of tablet makers, to throw the switch on producing HSPA only devices, and begin adjusting their product lines to embrace LTE instead of, or as well as. Samsung introduced it in a dual mode netbook, called the Samsung N350.
The spec on the N350 is nothing very wonderful, it is supposed to be ultra-thin and Samsung says it will allow customers internet speeds comparable with fixed internet services. It might offer that when in reach of an LTE base station, but right now finding a HSPA equipped base station in Europe is still a too much of a novelty, rather than raw 3G or Edge, so finding an LTE service will be even more rare. The device is rumored to be for Verizon Wireless to show off its shiny new LTE network in the US due to go live late this year.
The N350 netbook comes with a 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 display and is powered by the Intel Atom Pinetrail single-core 1.66GHz N455 processor or the dual core Atom N550. It has 1GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive and has a 1.3 megapixel webcam, it has Wi-Fi and runs Windows 7 Starter as its OS. The netbook will also use Samsung's new Easy Share system which can allow content sharing a DLNA capable devices such as Blu-ray players and TV sets.
The chip inside is almost certainly one of the Qualcomm Gobi variants, perhaps the MDM 9200 or the MDM 9600 which support LTE in dual carrier mode with HSPA+ (9200) or with these two formats plus EV-DO Rev (9600), which were released in March.
What confuses us is why Samsung has added this capability at all, and if it had to, why not focus on giving it to its new Tab 7 inch tablet it launched at the show, which Vodafone is taking in Europe. Surely it will be tablets that make the most out of LTE to begin with, and owners of tablets are less likely to want an LTE dongle hanging off their device, than the owner of a beefier looking Netbook.
Samsung did not give out prices, but said the N350 would be delivered in between Q4 2010 and Q1 2011, and guesses are that it is aimed at arrival in time to work with Verizon Wireless LTE network in the US which should hit 30 cities by the end of 2010.
The N350 was launched with 4 other series of devices, the QX series notebooks, the SF series notebooks and NF series netbooks and the RF series of to end multimedia notebooks
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Posted by cspuglio on Monday 6th September, 2010
I guess this must be a typo: "finding a HSPA equipped base station in Europe is still a too much of a novelty" since in all of Europe (and in most of the world for that matter) HSPA networks are available - which I have been taking advantage of for some years now. One could refer to the map found on http://www.gsacom.com/news/gsa_304.php4