7. Wireless WAN Support

The UX180P's built-in WAN radio supports Enhanced Datarate for Global Evolution (EDGE) networking technology. Typically EDGE provides data rates between 75 and 135 kbps and peak rates of 170 kbps, which is slow compared to wireless LAN speeds. However, in practice I was quite pleased with access speeds available in the Los Angeles California area, especially considering that I could access the Internet just about anywhere, including in my often signal-averse West Los Angeles rear condo unit, which is flanked on all sides by other condo buildings.

Wireless EDGE-based access to MobilityGuru.com and Microsoft Exchange Server email on Sony's VAIO VGN-UX180P. Click on the image above to see a larger version.

EDGE service for the U180P by Cingular is packaged with the laptop, though it is possible to use another provider, if you can figure out how to unlock the SIM card. Speaking of SIM cards, I already own a Sony VGN-T350P laptop with Cingular WWAN service. Getting the UX180P up and running on EDGE required nothing more than moving the SIM card from the T350P to the UX180P.

As of this writing Cingular EDGE availability in the USA and Canada looks like this:

Click on the image above to see a larger version.

Coverage is good on the West coast, though thin in some less populated areas, and very good in the Eastern half of the USA. Note that General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is available in EDGE areas, and in some areas where EDGE is not available; GPRS can go to 115 kbps. The UX180P's WAN radio supports both EDGE and GPRS. So, the computer can access the Internet across a wide range of US territory. Coverage in Canada is good in populous areas but thin elsewhere.

What about cost? Monthly prices for Cingular EDGE data services range from $20 for a puny 5 MB of data, to $50 for 50 MB and $80 for unlimited data. By comparison, most carriers provide unlimited data access for Blackberry PDA's at around $50. The additional $30 for unlimited laptop access is worth it, if, of course, you can afford it. I'll bet that serious road warriors will find the dollars somewhere.

Some argue that EDGE is too slow and that those who need WAN wireless capability should opt for 600 kbps Evolution Data Only (EvDO) wireless services from Verizon or Sprint. With prices for EDGE and EvDO running about the same, they say go for EvDO. I might be tempted to do that, if only I could get a computer like the UX180P with built-in EvDO capability. One good reason for not moving to EvDO is that it's mostly an American service; go to Europe or Asia and you will be quite happy that your UX180P supports EDGE/GPRS.