Have you ever wondered why most laptops don’t have SIM cards or eSIM features like smartphones and tablets? It’s an interesting topic, and there are a few reasons behind it. Let’s break it down based on some ideas shared in a Reddit discussion.
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Mobile Hotspots Are Just Easier
Most people already have smartphones that can share their internet connection with laptops. This is called tethering, and it works well through Wi-Fi. Since it’s easy and already available, this reduces the need for laptops to have built-in SIM card slots or similar features.
Adding these features to laptops would also make them more expensive to produce. So, manufacturers don’t see a big enough reason to include them when there’s already a good solution available.
Mobile Data Has Changed How We Use the Internet
Decades ago, mobile data was slow and expensive, so websites had to be simple and use less data. Over time, mobile data became faster, and smartphones became powerful enough to act as hotspots. This made it less important for laptops to have their own cellular features.
Because of how things developed, laptops stayed dependent on Wi-Fi, especially in places like homes, offices, and cafes, where Wi-Fi is usually available.
Laptops Are Used Differently Than Smartphones
Think about how you use your laptop. Most of the time, it’s in one place, like at home, school, or a coffee shop. These are all places where Wi-Fi is easy to find.
Phones, on the other hand, are designed to be used everywhere. You can stay connected while walking, traveling, or anywhere else.
This difference in how we use these devices is another reason why laptops don’t really need SIM cards.
Some Laptops Do Have SIM Options
There are laptops with built-in cellular features, but they’re not common. They’re usually aimed at business users who really need them. These laptops are more expensive because adding GSM cards or cellular modems costs extra.
For most people, the demand isn’t high enough, so these features remain a niche option.
Extra Costs for Users
Even if a laptop had a SIM card slot, you’d need to pay for another cellular plan. Most people don’t want to spend extra money when they can just use their phone as a hotspot. This makes it even less appealing for companies to include cellular options in their laptops.
In Summary
There are many reasons why laptops don’t widely use SIM or eSIM technology. People already have good alternatives, like tethering from their phones. Laptops are mostly used in places with Wi-Fi, and adding cellular features makes them more expensive. Plus, most users aren’t interested in paying for an extra data plan.
While there are options for those who need them, they’re not common. It’s hard to say if this will change in the future, but for now, it’s clear that Wi-Fi is enough for most laptop users.
Source: Reddit
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