Fujitsu Siemens LifeBook E8210

For the last 18 months or so, 3G data cards have been available to plug into notebooks, providing them with wide-area wireless connectivity at theoretical speeds of up to 384Kbps. However, this is essentially a stopgap solution: you need to remember to carry the data card, and then insert it when you need a 3G connection, perhaps swapping out another PC Card peripheral to make room. Issues with driver compatibility, software usability and vendor support are also not uncommon with add-on 3G data cards. Integrating the 3G module and SIM card slot into the notebook, and preloading the drivers and software, should provide a more convenient and stable solution, and notebook manufacturers are now doing just this. Fujitsu Siemens has delivered the first system with integrated 3G to ZDNet for review in the shape of the LifeBook E8210; other manufacturers, including Acer, Dell and Lenovo, have announced similar plans.