Baltimore (MD) – I have been told that I am too harsh on WiMax (and its obvious downsides), but here is some good news: Now there are plenty of options for (Baltimore) people to purchase a notebook that is equipped with Intel’s WiMax chip. Lenovo are Acer are the first notebook manufacturers to offer “4G” wireless broadband for a technology that is still somewhat blurry in terms of how its availability will expand over the next several months and years.

Lenovo appears to be the most aggressive company in terms of WiMax support. While Hewlett-Packard and Dell have not yet announced WiMax devices for their notebooks and Acer is limiting the WiMax option to two models at this time, Lenovo said it is offering the wireless broadband technology for the ThinkPad X301, T400, SL300 and SL500. With some distance, the company will follow up with the W500, W700, SL400, T400 and X200 as well as the consumer-focused IdeaPad Y530.    

Initially, WiMax will be offered as a PCIe option based on Intel’s WiMax/WiFi Link 5350 series, previously codenamed Echo Peak. The WiMax portions supports the 2.5-2.7 GHz band as well maximum download speeds of 10 Mb/s and upload speeds of 4 Mb/s – both of which are well above the bandwidth provided by WiMax provider Xohm.  

While WiMax promoters were not able to keep their $30 target for the WiMax hardware cost for now, the WiMax chip is substantially cheaper than an EVDO or HSDPA option. Both Lenovo and Acer are offering WiMax capability for a premium of about $60. The technology is said to be available now, but customers should see shipping delays of about 2-3 weeks, if they choose the WiMax option, Lenovo said.

Lenovo Thinkpad X301

Acer 6930

Acer’s WiMax notebook offering is strangely limited to customers in Baltimore and are offered through Newegg.com and TigerDirect.com. There will be two models, both Intel Centrino 2-based and offering either a 16” or a 14” display for $900.

The question whether you should buy a WiMax notebook or not today comes down to the fact whether you live in Baltimore, have use for WiMax on-the-go, whether you travel to countries that already offer WiMax networks as well and whether you are using an EV-DO or HSDPA card. When talking to Lenovo, we learned that the company does not really expect a big rush to WiMax, due to the limited availability of the network. However, the company wanted to be first to WiMax and offer a choice for its customers, which is never a bad thing.

Interestingly, it seems that not many people even in the industry have a clear view on the build-out of the WiMax network in the U.S. there is still the same rumor that Xohm will make WiMax available in a handful of U.S. metropolitan areas by the end of the year, but we heard that rumor last year and for the end of 2007 as well. But Lenovo hinted to some options that could increase the value proposition of WiMax across the country, without having to rely on Xohm, Clearwire and its investors. Universities and other large organizations could be installing their own campus-wide or even city-wide networks in place of a range limited Wi-Fi.

If WiMax installation costs are somewhat reasonable, this could turn into a major national trend at least for education, research and science organizations.

WiMax is out of the gate and it is great to see actual hardware supporting the technology. But the technology’s success will mainly depend on its availability. Sure, you have to start somewhere and the launch in Baltimore seems to be happening without hiccups, even if we know that the coverage in Baltimore is not 100%, more like 75%. Plus, there is talk about a “smooth city-by-city build out of WiMax 4G”, but I am surprised to see that there is still no guideline which cities will be next and when.         

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