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That is absolutely an option, you can spec out multiple laptops with cellular radios. It isn't standard because it costs extra and most people aren't going to pay an additional bill for another cell line. Typically they're more common to enterprise environments with people out in the field a lot.
Hotspots are probably still the more common option though, at least in my experience.
I really wish you could buy sim cards in like, packs of 2-3 and have multiple sims for your devices using the same plan / line.
So your phone, laptop, tablet, etc can all share the same data and potentially voice/text service if they have the right software.
This is why I just use my phone's hotspot.
I do, too, but it is quite taxing on the battery, which sucks.
Just plug it in to the laptop? Surely the laptop has USB ports?
Don't really get why we have an argument here. It would be way more ergonomic to just use mobile data instead of having to
If you're in a train, for example, space is sparse so now you'd additionally need to put your phone somewhere.
I've seen this for data sharing between different cell plans before (2 numbers 1 data plan) and I've seen it as a $10 add on to an existing line, but you always had to be paying for 2 things (extra line or small monthy fee)
Because most people don't need it.
There are loads of laptops with mobile data. For calling its the phone company stopping it
Those used to be things in the early 2000's; cellular cards with sims that went into a PCI slot. Surely they still exist?
You would need a massive pocket
Because not all use cases call for it.
If you are working in a city with wifi everywhere you don't need a LTE module.
If you are a mobile worker like a field tech thn it makes more sense to have an LTE module.
At the ISP I worked at we did that. Office monkeys has laptops with no LTE while us field engineers did have LTE modules.
PC with phone capability: this is already very much a thing.
Desktop OS + mobile formfactor: this can be done, but I'm not sure how it's any different from what we have right now, especially if you use Android.
Because most places you'd use it already has free WiFi (home, office, train, coffee shop, etc), and everywhere else you can just tether from the phone, so there's no point paying a separate bill just for the laptop.
But you can still get a laptop with lte, it's an option if you need it. My x1 yoga has a sim slot. Or you can get a usb dongle.
Regulation. Where I'm at, a device capable of making phone calls, must allow emergency calls by any user. Data is all you can get
There are different cellular networks and frequencies in different places so computer manufacturers can't pick one module and expect it to work everywhere. If you're paying for service, you'll want to get the most out of it by having a modem that's up to date and maximally compatible with the network. So it makes sense to get a plugin device or a WiFi mobile hotspot from your carrier. A WiFi mobile hotspot can additionally be used with other devices.
Also mobile network hardware updates at a decent pace so it's nice to be able to update those single purpose devices at their own pace independent of your laptop upgrade.
And then carrier and FCC certification are an extra hassle for laptop makers.
Localized parts are really a thing for electronics. (See keyboards)
I know Dell offers optional cell capabilities in some models. Just like the heated steering wheel in a car, this usually is an option you want to get at purchase. Expansion slots can offer the same capabilities.
One thing about having a computer on a mobile connection that's not as great as you might think: it's easy for something like a software update to blow through a ton of data and cost a lot of money.
If you were using your laptop as your only communication device, you'd need it switched on all the time you were awake. Not convenient.
My old Thinkpads and even my first iPad had SIM slots. I kinda miss that as it’d be much more handy now. LTE and the precursors were painful to use at the time.
There are laptops that come with LTE chips... they're just not popular. You're right though, there is the increasing mentality of "always online" that some people just expect to have. I'm not one of them but I can see why the technical argument could be made. Broadband home routers are starting to show up with support for this already and so it's only a matter of time. As another commenter said, it will drive up the price for artificially no reason...
I've got a little netbook from ages ago that takes a 3G SIM, I used it occasionally as phones didn't really do tethering back then, no real need now I can tether.
If you choose to pack a portable monitor+kb+dock combo, you can use your phone as a computer instead with Dex or similar. Seems more practical to me in 2025.
I prefer the laptop-size screen and keyboard vs miniaturized versions of them
I plug my phone into a DEX dock under my desk that connects to a 22” monitor and a normal keyboard and mouse. I think the other person was offering that type of solution already exists.
I was gifted a 4g router for my birthday or Christmas or something. It was the better solution for me because one plan gets me internet access on however many devices I attach to it where I would otherwise need a sim card for every tablet and laptop I use.
Pretty sure Linux supports eSims and some older laptops support Sim cards, you can add one to your PC as well. Personally I just use secure ways of communicating but it would def be useful when your traveling.
If you need internet on your laptop you can use this thing called a hotspot.
Or a dongle, or use the phone you already have on you as a hotspot.
The phone is also a hotspot yes.
There’s a certain vocal tech crowd that is trying to get Apple to put a damn modem in their MacBook Pros, especially since they’ve created their own.
Yes you can hotspot but that’s just one more thing to have to do. There is zero reason not to offer it as an option at this point.
It is an option. Search for cell phone laptop modem and you will find hundreds of cards to install to give you cell phone service.
Literally every internet device has a modem. You just change it from one with a wifi antenna to one with a LTE(cellphone) antenna.
This question was born entirely out of ignorance of the devices existence, not an actual lack of the device existing. I had one in the freaking 90's.
Does no one remember tablet pcs, which are just low end laptops without a keyboard, that come pretty standard with cell phone service, including iPads???
But that approach you lose wifi.
Though I have 3 laptops with both wifi and cell, 2 old Dells and a newer Lenovo.
I think the complaint here is Apple not even giving the option of both simultaneously.
