Feel Trapped in the Office? Future MacBooks May Feature LTE so You Can Work Anywhere

Ever wanted to work outside, but there was no internet connection available? Windows based PC laptops have had cellular network cards in the past, but service wasn’t streamlined. When this author purchased his first Alienware laptop, included was a cellular network card, making it able to access the internet from anywhere. The problem? It was difficult to find a service provider.

Apple might be looking to add LTE devices to a future line of MacBooks, according to a new patent filed by the company, reported by Ben Lovejoy from 9-to-5-Mac. Apparently, Steve Jobs tried the idea of a cellular network card in a Mac in 2007, but a year later decided against using said technology.

Apple has received similar patents in the past. Luke Edwards from Pocket-lint reported about a similar patent back in May. Edwards suggested that a SIM card feature could be added, allowing MacBooks to use cellular data like iPads or iPhones. Why does it matter? An LTE networking device built into a Mac would make it easier for users to work online wherever they want.

Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, and other service providers could potentially add MacBooks to their customer data plans if Apple were to use a SIM card similar to the ones employed in iPhones.

Lovejoy describes Apple’s patent, which seems to be a reference to an LTE device, “An electronic device…[that] may contain wireless circuitry. For example, electronic device 10 may contain wireless communications circuitry that operates in long-range communications bands such as cellular telephone bands and wireless circuitry that operates in short-range communications bands such as the 2.4 GHz Bluetooth band and the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi wireless local area network bands.”

“A slot-shaped opening may separate the upper and lower housing. A flexible printed circuit with ground traces may bisect the slot-shaped opening to form first and second slots. Cavity antennas may be aligned with the slots. Each cavity antenna may include a hollow carrier with a pair of speaker,” Lovejoy quotes from the patent. He writes that Apple has been granted several patents over the years that relate to cellular connectivity for MacBooks. The language seems to suggest that Apple may be planning to bring LTE networking to their portable laptops.

In the past, there was a reason Apple only made the iPhone available on AT&T’s network. Releasing the phones for other networks meant manufacturing a special phone for each individual carrier. Just imagine if Apple had to make a Mac model specifically for every cellular network provider!

Patents come and go, but this particular one reinforces the rumor that LTE is coming to the MacBook. It would be great for people who like to work on the go and don’t have access to Wi-Fi. LTE in a MacBook will be more expensive, since computers use more data than mobile devices, but for working professionals it could be a much welcomed addition to the MacBook line.

Would pony up the dough for LTE capability? Let us know in the comments below!

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]