unidentified card slot on dell XPS m1530

Grimgoth · 19 Aug 2008 at 13:34

Was poking around me lappy and noticed a card slot that I hadn't seen before. Checked the manuals and no mention, so thought I'd shout here

You have to remove the battery to get at it. Looks like it'll fit a SIM card in there although I haven't tried.
Whats it for?

POB · 19 Aug 2008 at 13:38

Sounds like the Mobile broadband slot.

Chances are the slot is there for the sim card, but the card is missing, Its located under the same flap as the wireless card I think.

Indy500 · 19 Aug 2008 at 13:40

Could well be, if it isn't a card reader.

Grimgoth · 19 Aug 2008 at 13:43

hmm thought I'd shut down the lappy and take a piccy, so here it is

whoops a bit big, here again

Grimgoth · 19 Aug 2008 at 13:45

quite far away from the wireless card. how come it isn't in the manual/ can't find any documentation.....

bigredshark · 19 Aug 2008 at 13:49

Quick research reveals all M1530s have the sim slot under the battery, it won't be mentioned because you don't have the 3G card I assume.

EDIT: As to what's it for, well nothing at all unless you cough up to Dell for the 3G card...

Felix Da Housecat · 19 Aug 2008 at 13:55

It's a UMTS slot used for mobile internet access

suitcase · 19 Aug 2008 at 13:57

Felix Da Housecat said:
It's a UTMS slot used for mobile internet access

Bingo was his name-o!

Grimgoth · 19 Aug 2008 at 14:01

ah..... thats a bit wierd... so you can get a 3G express card but the sim's of those are on the lappy itself? why not put them on the express card?
scratches head. deter thieves i suppose. but still makes not a lot of sense to me.
also, with the avail of USB broadband modems now, this may be even more of a damp squib?

bigredshark · 19 Aug 2008 at 14:03

Grimgoth said:
ah..... thats a bit wierd... so you can get a 3G express card but the sim's of those are on the lappy itself? why not put them on the express card?
scratches head. deter thieves i suppose. but still makes not a lot of sense to me.
also, with the avail of USB broadband modems now, this may be even more of a damp squib?

No, it's an internal card, mini-pci I believe. It's an option at build time. I have one in my D420

Emlyn_Dewar · 19 Aug 2008 at 14:10

Yeah, you can pick the cards up off the auctions for a reasonable price. I think it's a great idea, the mobile 3G modems are portable but not having to cart one around is so much easier.

Grimgoth · 19 Aug 2008 at 14:13

Hmm, going to dell:
Dell™ Wireless 5520 Mobile Broadband HSDPA Mini-Card - UK [add £130.00 or £3/month1]

Dell Wireless 5510 ExpressCard 3G/HSDPA. I need tariff advice or I have a Vodafone account [add £180.00 or £4/month1]

Dell Wireless 5510 ExpressCard 3G/HSDPA incl. Vodafone Data Unlimited** (£45/mth)* [add £180.00 or £4/month1]

Dell Wireless 5510 ExpressCard 3G/HSDPA incl. Vodafone Data 250 (£25/mth)* [add £180.00 or £4/month1]

are the options- all bar one is the mini card.
i guess now they're not such great options. oh well. at least i found out what it was for

You can tell I was thinking "now how can I upgrade my lappy...."

bigredshark · 19 Aug 2008 at 14:16

They're great for work stuff I find (as I can't forget my 3G card now) but data is still too expensive so using it for personal browsing isn't really practical. I swear all I ever do with mine is ssh back to my workstation...