I got VERY close to plunking down $2,000 for one of those new MacBooks that Apple came out with. Why? Cause it is able to dual boot both Windows and Mac OSX and I wanted to have a machine that could have run both. An article showing how to do this is on Memeorandum right now.
But Steve Jobs pulled one of his favorite tricks. He removed a popular IO system and put in a new slot that no one uses yet. It’s called an ExpressCard. I’m sure it’ll be very cool soon, but today there’s no peripherals that use this.
Why does this matter? Well, go down to Sprint and ask for an EVDO card. Or Verizon. Or Cingular. They all have them. I would say these are all now NECESSARY for a traveling businessperson. I just got one yesterday and I’ve said goodbye to Wifi forever. My friends are all buying them (Phillip Torrone showed me his running on his 17-inch Apple Powerbook at Macworld expo).
Now that I have this capability I’ll never buy a machine that isn’t compatible. Torrone told me that’s why he’s not buying one of the new Macs either.
How about you?
By the way, I say this is a Steve Jobs trick because he famously pulled a floppy drive out of his NeXT computer which made it very futuristic (very few computers today have floppy drives, just 17 years later) but also made it hard to use at the time.
Scoble,
When you’ve created over sixty billion dollars in shareholder value, maybe people will look to you for advice.
Three is a solution on the way for running legacy windoze apps on an intel mac, and it’s coming from your very own employer, the Evil Empire. Just wait for Virtual PC, or better still, convince the VMWare guys to support OS X.
The only safe way to run any microsoft OS, is under emulation. It will still get infected, but you can revert to a previous state of the virtual disk. Letting windows actually boot the hardware is like taking a bareback tour of third-world whorehouses.
Oh, and if you think that XP would make a Mac “easier to use”, I should probably tip off the DEA about whatever it is you’re smoking.
Scoble,
When you’ve created over sixty billion dollars in shareholder value, maybe people will look to you for advice.
Three is a solution on the way for running legacy windoze apps on an intel mac, and it’s coming from your very own employer, the Evil Empire. Just wait for Virtual PC, or better still, convince the VMWare guys to support OS X.
The only safe way to run any microsoft OS, is under emulation. It will still get infected, but you can revert to a previous state of the virtual disk. Letting windows actually boot the hardware is like taking a bareback tour of third-world whorehouses.
Oh, and if you think that XP would make a Mac “easier to use”, I should probably tip off the DEA about whatever it is you’re smoking.
No need to blame Intel, I have a Fujitsu Siemens notebook (A1667) which also has an Express card slot only (AVM has already released an ISDN express card months ago).
Indeed, hardware support is in no way broad – but why do you want a 32-Bit Intel Mac at all? Isn’t that buying a dead cow – unless you are sure that all your favorite software doesn’t requiere lame Rosetta emulation? Do you really want to run your Photoshop 500% slower?
No need to blame Intel, I have a Fujitsu Siemens notebook (A1667) which also has an Express card slot only (AVM has already released an ISDN express card months ago).
Indeed, hardware support is in no way broad – but why do you want a 32-Bit Intel Mac at all? Isn’t that buying a dead cow – unless you are sure that all your favorite software doesn’t requiere lame Rosetta emulation? Do you really want to run your Photoshop 500% slower?
I just realized the title of this entry is a bit misleading. The title references dual booting these new Macs, but really the entry is about how you can’t use your EVDO with them.
Also, call me cynical, but I seriously doubt that is the reason you won’t be buying one. When ExpressCard versions of these come out, will that be the last straw? Or will some other hurdle pop up?
I just realized the title of this entry is a bit misleading. The title references dual booting these new Macs, but really the entry is about how you can’t use your EVDO with them.
Also, call me cynical, but I seriously doubt that is the reason you won’t be buying one. When ExpressCard versions of these come out, will that be the last straw? Or will some other hurdle pop up?
This is really cool. Although looking at the coverage of broadband access for Verizon (my carrier) I think I’ll wait till the coverage is more apparent. Although it does have coverage for my home city (Rochester, NY) the cost of it doesn’t justify it to take over for my wireless router at home which is about $10 cheaper. And since I use my laptop at work and home primarily I don’t have a need to use it more on the road.
I travel occasionally and there is no coverage in my travel routes to make this worthwhile…for now.
I’ll keep my eyes on it this is exciting.
I would love to see the carries make integrated chipsets for use in laptops so you don’t have the pci card sticking out.
This is really cool. Although looking at the coverage of broadband access for Verizon (my carrier) I think I’ll wait till the coverage is more apparent. Although it does have coverage for my home city (Rochester, NY) the cost of it doesn’t justify it to take over for my wireless router at home which is about $10 cheaper. And since I use my laptop at work and home primarily I don’t have a need to use it more on the road.
I travel occasionally and there is no coverage in my travel routes to make this worthwhile…for now.
I’ll keep my eyes on it this is exciting.
I would love to see the carries make integrated chipsets for use in laptops so you don’t have the pci card sticking out.
i just wanted to point out that expresscard has been added to centrino platform when sonoma came out. at that time, most of the notebooks were still manufactured with pcmcia support (not that it’s such a long time ago
it’s been stated that expresscard is here to replace pcmcia cards about the time napa hits mainstream. though i see, it’s been already pointed out 
i just wanted to point out that expresscard has been added to centrino platform when sonoma came out. at that time, most of the notebooks were still manufactured with pcmcia support (not that it’s such a long time ago
it’s been stated that expresscard is here to replace pcmcia cards about the time napa hits mainstream. though i see, it’s been already pointed out 
yeah, and stefen (comment 28), i don’t think it’s apple apps, or mac os, he wants to run on the macbook
yeah, and stefen (comment 28), i don’t think it’s apple apps, or mac os, he wants to run on the macbook
One last point:
The MacBook isn’t shipping yet so your complaints about ExpressCard are a bit premature.
It seems Verizon is trying to get its EVDO service out by the time the MacBook ships.
http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/macworld/live-at-macworld-evdo-to-upgrade-for-macbook-pro-148119.php
One last point:
The MacBook isn’t shipping yet so your complaints about ExpressCard are a bit premature.
It seems Verizon is trying to get its EVDO service out by the time the MacBook ships.
http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/macworld/live-at-macworld-evdo-to-upgrade-for-macbook-pro-148119.php
What about doing a Bluetooth DUN connection to an EVDO phone?
What about doing a Bluetooth DUN connection to an EVDO phone?
Jeremy: actually you can get a preview of Windows Vista right now.
Robert, you’re not going to buy a Mac so don’t even pretend the reason is lack of an expresscard slot for EVDO.
Everybody knows the day a Windows-based tablet PC comes out with next-generation PCMCIA technology you’ll buy it regardless of whether any cards are immediately available, regardless of whether the drivers are mature, etc.
That’s the way it is with you.
For an edge case, you sure act like a jerk about other edge cases when it’s your employer’s competitors pushing the envelope.
Oh, and the reason bluetooth is discouraged is because Windows XP SP2′s bluetooth stack is very, very weak – about as weak as the wireless networking stack was pre-SP2 (it’s much, much better in SP2).
Jeremy: actually you can get a preview of Windows Vista right now.
Robert, you’re not going to buy a Mac so don’t even pretend the reason is lack of an expresscard slot for EVDO.
Everybody knows the day a Windows-based tablet PC comes out with next-generation PCMCIA technology you’ll buy it regardless of whether any cards are immediately available, regardless of whether the drivers are mature, etc.
That’s the way it is with you.
For an edge case, you sure act like a jerk about other edge cases when it’s your employer’s competitors pushing the envelope.
Oh, and the reason bluetooth is discouraged is because Windows XP SP2′s bluetooth stack is very, very weak – about as weak as the wireless networking stack was pre-SP2 (it’s much, much better in SP2).
Looks like the server for that article is down. Memorandumed?
Also, given that EVDO and whatnot are still a way off out here in Australia, Scoble’s point doesn’t apply so if someone gets this hack going, that guy’s in the money (that contest is over $8000 now) and I’ll seriously consider a Mac.
(and anyway, who the hell pays for $80 of mobile broadband service unless you’re travelling near constantly?)
I think the main reason Scoble would avoid full praise of the Mac product is that Apple isn’t just a software company with respect to PCs, so hardware – even if it runs Windows – is going to put money in Apple’s pockets.
Looks like the server for that article is down. Memorandumed?
Also, given that EVDO and whatnot are still a way off out here in Australia, Scoble’s point doesn’t apply so if someone gets this hack going, that guy’s in the money (that contest is over $8000 now) and I’ll seriously consider a Mac.
(and anyway, who the hell pays for $80 of mobile broadband service unless you’re travelling near constantly?)
I think the main reason Scoble would avoid full praise of the Mac product is that Apple isn’t just a software company with respect to PCs, so hardware – even if it runs Windows – is going to put money in Apple’s pockets.
i’m going to get a 17″ macbook pro with whatever new evdo card if/when that comes out. i need the pixels and the evdo in a portable, i suspect they’ll be out in a year or less – but i’m holding off on the first gen for now.
i’m going to get a 17″ macbook pro with whatever new evdo card if/when that comes out. i need the pixels and the evdo in a portable, i suspect they’ll be out in a year or less – but i’m holding off on the first gen for now.
But Steve Jobs pulled one of his favorite tricks. He removed a popular IO system and put in a new slot that no one uses yet. It’s called an ExpressCard.
ExpressCard, an Apple conspiracy? Well wow, I wonder why Microsoft, Dell, HP, Acer, Gateway and Intel are all supporting it then? ANd why it will be on all Intell Dual Core’s from here to eternity?
You dingbat, it’s the next standard (it came out in 2003, where yah been?), even in all Dual Core laptops, which would be more prevelent had it not been for Intel’s pushing the schedule ahead. It has ZERO to do with Steve Jobs magic tricks or hat-trick rabbits or anything, he just adopted it. Plus there is a push to sync everything by shipping dates.
Like, yah know, maybe, like, totally, like, use, like, that there Google thingamjig and do like, some, like research, like, before you, like, go tubular on like some, like, wild conspiracy theory. Like, gag me with a Starbucks spoon.
http://www.expresscard.org/web/site/qa.jsp
The ExpressCard standard was created by a broad coalition of PCMCIA member companies, including Dell, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Intel, Lexar Media, Microsoft, SCM Microsystems and Texas Instruments. PCMCIA developed the new standard with assistance from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF*) and the PCI-SIG* (Peripheral Component Interconnect-Special Interest Group). PCMCIA is a non-profit trade association founded in 1989 to establish technical standards for PC Card technology and to promote interchangeability among computer systems.
But Steve Jobs pulled one of his favorite tricks. He removed a popular IO system and put in a new slot that no one uses yet. It’s called an ExpressCard.
ExpressCard, an Apple conspiracy? Well wow, I wonder why Microsoft, Dell, HP, Acer, Gateway and Intel are all supporting it then? ANd why it will be on all Intell Dual Core’s from here to eternity?
You dingbat, it’s the next standard (it came out in 2003, where yah been?), even in all Dual Core laptops, which would be more prevelent had it not been for Intel’s pushing the schedule ahead. It has ZERO to do with Steve Jobs magic tricks or hat-trick rabbits or anything, he just adopted it. Plus there is a push to sync everything by shipping dates.
Like, yah know, maybe, like, totally, like, use, like, that there Google thingamjig and do like, some, like research, like, before you, like, go tubular on like some, like, wild conspiracy theory. Like, gag me with a Starbucks spoon.
http://www.expresscard.org/web/site/qa.jsp
The ExpressCard standard was created by a broad coalition of PCMCIA member companies, including Dell, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Intel, Lexar Media, Microsoft, SCM Microsystems and Texas Instruments. PCMCIA developed the new standard with assistance from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF*) and the PCI-SIG* (Peripheral Component Interconnect-Special Interest Group). PCMCIA is a non-profit trade association founded in 1989 to establish technical standards for PC Card technology and to promote interchangeability among computer systems.
Firstly, no one’s addressed this yet:
“They all have them. I would say these are all now NECESSARY for a traveling businessperson. I just got one yesterday and I’ve said goodbye to Wifi forever.”
It is “NECESSARY”, but you just got it YESTERDAY?
Uh huh. You lived without it for a year, but you couldn’t do without it for another month or two (during which time you probably couldn’t even get a MacBook).
Whatever! This is a really, really pathetic comment.
Secondly, as has been pointed out, this article is full of shit so you don’t know if Vista will run on a MacBook yet. MacBooks are not out yet so you couldn’t test it or even purchase one yet.
And Vista is not a product yet. And don’t try to compare a software sub-beta with a hardware component: I’m sure there are EVDO cards being tested. Just because you don’t have one doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
“Alfredo: you didn’t read carefully. I already made the same point you did.”
You didn’t read Alfredo carefully. The point was you used a lame example from decades ago from a company is not even Apple to claim it’s a “trick” that makes things “hard” when in fact it’s progress that has been done over and over again by Apple to move the whole PC industry forward.
Firstly, no one’s addressed this yet:
“They all have them. I would say these are all now NECESSARY for a traveling businessperson. I just got one yesterday and I’ve said goodbye to Wifi forever.”
It is “NECESSARY”, but you just got it YESTERDAY?
Uh huh. You lived without it for a year, but you couldn’t do without it for another month or two (during which time you probably couldn’t even get a MacBook).
Whatever! This is a really, really pathetic comment.
Secondly, as has been pointed out, this article is full of shit so you don’t know if Vista will run on a MacBook yet. MacBooks are not out yet so you couldn’t test it or even purchase one yet.
And Vista is not a product yet. And don’t try to compare a software sub-beta with a hardware component: I’m sure there are EVDO cards being tested. Just because you don’t have one doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
“Alfredo: you didn’t read carefully. I already made the same point you did.”
You didn’t read Alfredo carefully. The point was you used a lame example from decades ago from a company is not even Apple to claim it’s a “trick” that makes things “hard” when in fact it’s progress that has been done over and over again by Apple to move the whole PC industry forward.
Hi Robert,
You have a lot of readers of your blog. Do you think it’s slightly irresponsible to write misleading crap like this?
Hi Robert,
You have a lot of readers of your blog. Do you think it’s slightly irresponsible to write misleading crap like this?
Interrim possible option: Get a cell with bluetooth connectivity and EVDO radio. Connect phone to Mac with 721Kbps bluetooth.
Interrim possible option: Get a cell with bluetooth connectivity and EVDO radio. Connect phone to Mac with 721Kbps bluetooth.
We have actually heard from Verizon sources who said they are hoping to have an ExpressCard version of an EV-DO card available in time for – or close to – the time that Apple starts shipping the MacBooks. We are still a couple of weeks away from that, and in the meantime, I don’t mind tethering my phone to the MacBook over USB or Bluetooth. ExpressCard is the “wave of the future” as far as notebook expandable card slots go. I actually look forward to seeing the ExpressCard EV-DO cards ship.
One other thing about Robert’s post – it isn’t only Apple that is shipping laptops without the PMCIA. This is actually related to the Intel Core Duo chip. Even Dell is shipping notebook PCs with an ExpressCard instead of the PMCIA slot.
Now, to solve all of this confusion, where are the USB EV-DO devices??
We have actually heard from Verizon sources who said they are hoping to have an ExpressCard version of an EV-DO card available in time for – or close to – the time that Apple starts shipping the MacBooks. We are still a couple of weeks away from that, and in the meantime, I don’t mind tethering my phone to the MacBook over USB or Bluetooth. ExpressCard is the “wave of the future” as far as notebook expandable card slots go. I actually look forward to seeing the ExpressCard EV-DO cards ship.
One other thing about Robert’s post – it isn’t only Apple that is shipping laptops without the PMCIA. This is actually related to the Intel Core Duo chip. Even Dell is shipping notebook PCs with an ExpressCard instead of the PMCIA slot.
Now, to solve all of this confusion, where are the USB EV-DO devices??
A minor clarification (for what its worth), EV-DO is an extension of CDMA services capable of >800kbps, and should be avaliable from Sprint or Verizon in the US. GSM carriers offer EDGE/GPRS (so called “2.5G”) or UTMS (3G), which offers 400-700kbps downloads (with faster bursts). Cingular is a GSM carrier offering UTMS….although I suppose it makes exactly no difference if it works and there is coverage in your area–but the cards aren’t compatible between EV-DO and UTMS networks (AFAIK).
A minor clarification (for what its worth), EV-DO is an extension of CDMA services capable of >800kbps, and should be avaliable from Sprint or Verizon in the US. GSM carriers offer EDGE/GPRS (so called “2.5G”) or UTMS (3G), which offers 400-700kbps downloads (with faster bursts). Cingular is a GSM carrier offering UTMS….although I suppose it makes exactly no difference if it works and there is coverage in your area–but the cards aren’t compatible between EV-DO and UTMS networks (AFAIK).
“actually you can get a preview of Windows Vista right now. “
Huh? Who…what…where? When did the Vista CTPs become publicly available, without membership via MSDN? Where is this “available” preview you speak of and where can yours truly get his dirty paws on a copy?
“actually you can get a preview of Windows Vista right now. “
Huh? Who…what…where? When did the Vista CTPs become publicly available, without membership via MSDN? Where is this “available” preview you speak of and where can yours truly get his dirty paws on a copy?
On the dangers of blogging
(Or rather, on the dangers of listening to blogging)
Now, everyone has the right to be heard (with obvious exceptions). But with everyone clamouring to be heard, it makes it rather hard to know who you should be listening to.
Robert Scoble is a R…
Its no use having the next ‘stuff’ in right now. Coz a year later the next macbook would come out and everyone would buy one.
I remember when my dad bought our first TV. We had to be sure we got the next gen coz it was going to last for a few years.
If you have a floppy disk and you don’t have a floppy drive, feeling cool and nex-gen doesn’t help.
Its no use having the next ‘stuff’ in right now. Coz a year later the next macbook would come out and everyone would buy one.
I remember when my dad bought our first TV. We had to be sure we got the next gen coz it was going to last for a few years.
If you have a floppy disk and you don’t have a floppy drive, feeling cool and nex-gen doesn’t help.
“You have a lot of readers of your blog. Do you think it’s slightly irresponsible to write misleading crap like this?”
Has he ever done anything else? You must have been reading him longer than I have. I just check in to see if anyone at Microsoft seems to have a clue about actual technology as opposed to wizz-bang spinning do-dads. So far no evidence of it.
“You have a lot of readers of your blog. Do you think it’s slightly irresponsible to write misleading crap like this?”
Has he ever done anything else? You must have been reading him longer than I have. I just check in to see if anyone at Microsoft seems to have a clue about actual technology as opposed to wizz-bang spinning do-dads. So far no evidence of it.
>Well wow, I wonder why Microsoft, Dell, HP, Acer, Gateway and Intel are all supporting it then?
Christopher: there’s a difference between supporting it and forcing you to use it.
I’m sure there’ll be some PCs that only have the new slot. We’ll see how commercially successful they are in the next two quarters. After that, I’m sure it will make more and more sense.
>Well wow, I wonder why Microsoft, Dell, HP, Acer, Gateway and Intel are all supporting it then?
Christopher: there’s a difference between supporting it and forcing you to use it.
I’m sure there’ll be some PCs that only have the new slot. We’ll see how commercially successful they are in the next two quarters. After that, I’m sure it will make more and more sense.
Scoble has taken the job of the canary in the mineshaft at MS. It’s his job to be a little skidish about new techs coming down the pike. Right now the smell of apple smoke is starting to choke him a bit and a cough or two is in order. Itel and AMD are starting the “core wars” while Jobs is setting the stage for a raid on MS customers.
Scoble has taken the job of the canary in the mineshaft at MS. It’s his job to be a little skidish about new techs coming down the pike. Right now the smell of apple smoke is starting to choke him a bit and a cough or two is in order. Itel and AMD are starting the “core wars” while Jobs is setting the stage for a raid on MS customers.
there’s a difference between supporting it and forcing you to use it.
No there is not, no difference at all. By supporting the NEW they are killing the OLD, as the company that does a dual-hybrid ain’t thinking straight (actually no OEMs are going hybrid, that I know of).
Support = “force”. But this is how tech evolves, people PICK a standard and rally around it, legacy dies, usually the big fight is over the stndard, that wasn’t the case here. You can hold onto the old if you want, messing with COM ports over USB, but the future will leave you behind.
And ummm, all Intel Dual Cores will “force” you too. Or do you not want to be on that bleeding edge? It’s an INDUSTRY-THING, the next big leap, the next new new thing. The focus should be on getting services on the new standard, not in holding onto legacy, breathe down Verizon and Cingular’s necks. You are holding the wrong end of the stick. And blaming Apple for “forcing” is crazy, it’s far far more Intel than Apple, indeed it’s far more MICROSOFT than even Apple.
About now, you can fess up that you really had no idea what you were talking about with that post. It’s ok, everyone makes mistakes.
there’s a difference between supporting it and forcing you to use it.
No there is not, no difference at all. By supporting the NEW they are killing the OLD, as the company that does a dual-hybrid ain’t thinking straight (actually no OEMs are going hybrid, that I know of).
Support = “force”. But this is how tech evolves, people PICK a standard and rally around it, legacy dies, usually the big fight is over the stndard, that wasn’t the case here. You can hold onto the old if you want, messing with COM ports over USB, but the future will leave you behind.
And ummm, all Intel Dual Cores will “force” you too. Or do you not want to be on that bleeding edge? It’s an INDUSTRY-THING, the next big leap, the next new new thing. The focus should be on getting services on the new standard, not in holding onto legacy, breathe down Verizon and Cingular’s necks. You are holding the wrong end of the stick. And blaming Apple for “forcing” is crazy, it’s far far more Intel than Apple, indeed it’s far more MICROSOFT than even Apple.
About now, you can fess up that you really had no idea what you were talking about with that post. It’s ok, everyone makes mistakes.
You know Bobby if you’re serious about a buying a Mac, you can buy a 15″ or 17″ G4 PB that do have a PC card slot that will work with EVDO cards. Right now, today. Of course the MacBook isn’t going to be out for another month or two and in that time not only will there likely be cards for the new slots (which will be the standard before next year) but also adapters for the new slot so you can use your old school cards.
Do you really expect us to believe you’re going to buy a new Mac? I thought you were Mr Tablet Uber Alles?
You know Bobby if you’re serious about a buying a Mac, you can buy a 15″ or 17″ G4 PB that do have a PC card slot that will work with EVDO cards. Right now, today. Of course the MacBook isn’t going to be out for another month or two and in that time not only will there likely be cards for the new slots (which will be the standard before next year) but also adapters for the new slot so you can use your old school cards.
Do you really expect us to believe you’re going to buy a new Mac? I thought you were Mr Tablet Uber Alles?
Scoble – check out the competition being run at http://windowsXP.onmac.net – over $8,000 for the winner who cracks being able to boot windows on the macbook