WiMAX-Equipped Lenovo ThinkPad Mini Drops by the FCC

Until not long ago, high-end laptops and certain travel-intended electronics were the only ones with integrated or optional support for 4G wireless connectivity. Lately, however, the amount of such mobile PCs has been steadily growing, along with the increasing coverage and popularity of fourth-generation networks themselves. The 4G technology that seems to be best known, at least for now, goes by the name of WiMAX, and it seems that Lenovo is aware of its growing popularity.

Some time ago, it was revealed that a certain 10-inch netbook known as ThinkPad Mini 10, essentially a smaller X100e (screen size of 10 inches instead of 11.6 inches), was going to be used in New South Wales schools. Now, however, it appears that the same netbook has become the test subject for the PC supplier's WiMAX module. At least, this is what the latest filing issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seems to suggest.

One of the photos made available shows a pair of WiMAX antennae. These are the very same antennae that are, most likely, going to be featured in Lenovo's entire US laptop collection, including the aforementioned ThinkPad X100e. Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing exactly when one can expect the ThinkPad Mini 10 to actually reach stores, nor is there any indication of how much it will cost. It is, however, possible to speculate on these details, based on previous pricing schemes.

WiMAX, being the 4G connectivity option that it is, will obviously warrant a certain amount of extra monetary investment. This would be no different from how a Gobi 2000 3G-equipped ThinkPad X100e costs $150 more than the base model. It shouldn't take long for the ThinkPad Mini 10 to make it to the market, which means that this final piece of information will be revealed soon.