Recently, Apple has been making significant moves in baseband chip development.
Next spring, the iPhone SE may feature Apple’s first self-developed 5G chip. If progress continues smoothly, the second-generation mmWave-supporting baseband chip will be implemented in the iPhone 18 and high-end iPads by 2026, followed by the third-generation chip codenamed “Prometheus.”
While we’ll set aside whether iPhones can improve their oft-criticized signal weakness through self-developed basebands, there’s now something more interesting to discuss.
Recently, ifanr published an article discussing MagSafe, and in the lively comment section, one comment raised a seemingly “off-topic” question:
Do you know what MacBook users need most? It’s 5G when there’s no wireless network outdoors! Tablets can use 5G, why can’t MacBooks?
Installing 5G chips in MacBooks somehow sounds strange, but developments often surprise us more than we imagine.
This prophetic comment aligns with Bloomberg’s latest report revealing that Apple indeed plans to equip the MacBook series with 5G baseband chips.
Making MacBooks connect to the internet anywhere like iPhones appears to be Apple’s next plan.
A Previously Explored Path
Since Apple’s planning to do it, let’s examine the benefits of this move.
As an editor, my biggest headache is handling work while traveling. When urgent tasks need completion without stable networks nearby, I’m forced to use my iPhone as an “external network cable,” sacrificing its already limited battery life to ensure my MacBook maintains internet connectivity without Wi-Fi.
Obviously, the opening comment provided the first answer – for users who frequently travel or work outdoors, built-in signal baseband in MacBooks would undoubtedly provide peace of mind.
Even for users without travel or outdoor needs, adding 5G chips has its uses.
In current streaming or gaming apps, we’re all familiar with the message:
Optimizing experience using mobile network.
Similar mechanisms could be applied to MacBooks to enhance network stability.
With both Wi-Fi and 5G network support, overnight downloads of large files won’t be affected by network fluctuations. You can wake up to completed tasks with zero surprises, never again facing the dreaded “Network connection lost” message.
Finally, don’t forget Apple’s favorite – privacy.
Public Wi-Fi has always been problematic. For regular users, internet defense and threats are potential but very real concerns. If MacBooks have 5G baseband for independent network connectivity, they won’t need to rely on questionable hotspots, reducing information leakage risks at the source.
For users needing strict protection of work information without constant worry, this adds an extra layer of security.
After listing these benefits, a question arises: If built-in baseband is so good, why aren’t other manufacturers doing it?
As the saying goes, there’s nothing new under the sun. Installing 5G baseband in laptops isn’t particularly novel – looking back, many established computer manufacturers have tried it before.
In 2005, Sony launched the VAIO VGN-T350 series laptops.
▲ Sony VAIO VGN-T350/L
This series allowed users to access the internet directly where cellular network signals were available through built-in Cingular EDGE cellular data modules, without external data cards or phone basebands.
Previously, laptops typically required external PCMCIA data cards or phone Bluetooth/data cable connections for mobile data access.
The Sony VAIO VGN-T350 became widely regarded as the “first commercially available laptop with truly integrated cellular data connectivity” by incorporating such cellular network modules directly inside.
▲ The VGN-T300 series featured wireless LAN and WAN (cellular network) indicator lights
Shortly after, high-end laptops from IBM, Lenovo, Dell, and HP also launched models with built-in 3G/EDGE/CDMA2000 modules, all promoting direct internet connectivity as a selling point.
Even Apple had considered it.
In 2011, a MacBook prototype appeared on eBay, with bidding reaching $70,000 after intense competition.
The extraordinary attention came from this prototype’s unique feature – an antenna extending from the side of the screen.
▲ MacBook prototype with antenna
As bidding passed $70,000, the prototype was suddenly removed from eBay without selling, but seller evilroot shared more information on MacRumors to satisfy curiosity.
This antenna-equipped MacBook prototype was produced around 2007, featuring a red circuit board (while official versions were blue) and a SIM card slot under the memory cover besides the visible antenna. It was speculated to support 3G networks. On MacRumors, evilroot described the antenna further:
Honestly, I think most of the negative comments about how the antenna looks are due to my photo angles. It appears quite large. Actually, it’s very small, protruding only about 2 inches from the display when extended, maybe a millimeter or two thick.
Interestingly, the antenna was magnetically attached to the device – similar to magnets used in MagSafe functionality, for which Apple filed a patent in 2008.
▲ Left & Center: MacBook prototype antenna | Right: Apple’s 2008 antenna patent
Of course, due to era and technical limitations, this MacBook remained a prototype without official release.
Today, some Lenovo ThinkPad models still offer built-in cellular modules for internet connectivity through 4G baseband. Dell’s Latitude series features models with Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 baseband for internet service without Wi-Fi. HP EliteBook series and Microsoft Surface Pro series also have similar options.
Perfect Timing for Mac’s Baseband Addition
Essentially, any high-end laptop focusing on business has attempted this, though it never became widespread.
The reason is simple: battery life was a major issue.
However, this isn’t a concern for Apple – since the M-series chips’ introduction, MacBooks have achieved unprecedented battery life improvements thanks to energy-efficient ARM architecture and system-level integrated SoC.
Compared to my current i9 16-inch MacBook Pro, today’s 14-inch MacBook Pro easily doubles the battery life.
With powerful battery support, previously constrained usage becomes more flexible, and a baseband highly integrated into the SoC is no longer a burden.
Additionally, as times progress, consumer computer needs are diversifying, with everyone using MacBooks differently – one might keep it home as a code editor for primary work tasks, while another might carry it with cameras to photograph galaxies and stars in vast uninhabited areas.
Now, with greatly enhanced battery life, making MacBooks adapt to more use environments makes sense.
5G baseband appearing on Macs has another easily overlooked reason – environment.
Although Apple doesn’t publish specific MacBook sales figures, given MacBook’s dominant ecosystem position in the Mac product line, we can glimpse patterns from overall revenue data to estimate where MacBook series sells best.
According to MacroMicro’s data for 2024 Q3, Greater China ranks third in Apple’s revenue share at 15.84%, behind North America’s 43.89% and Europe’s 26.26%.
▲ Data and image from @MacroMicro
Roughly equating revenue share to user share, MacBook users concentrate more in North America and Europe.
These regions have their own circumstances.
In Western countries, most commercial carrier plans have a clever limitation – they’re generous with data, possibly even unlimited, but strictly tier hotspot usage.
For instance, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T’s regular plans typically limit hotspots to 10-15GB, with speed restrictions around 50GB even on premium plans. T-Mobile’s basic plan requires the 75 third tier for 15GB hotspot data, while 50GB requires upgrading to the 90 tier.
▲ Carrier Verizon’s $55 plan limits hotspot data to 60GB
In the streaming era, this data allowance is insufficient for any work involving video.
As usual, I’ll add a dose of reality at the article’s end.
No matter how appealing something sounds, it must reach consumers to be truly beneficial.
Following Apple’s habits, even if 5G baseband launches successfully, we still face one issue – there’s a very high chance this solution will use eSIM.
We won’t waste words on eSIM – the cellular iPad Pro version provides a nearby reference.
However, viewing it comprehensively from technical, demand, and environmental perspectives, Apple’s plan to add baseband to MacBooks, while initially surprising, is quite logical upon careful consideration – Apple’s O. Henry moment.
In 2020, ifanr published “Apple’s Chip Manufacturing: Saving iPhone’s Signal | Hardware Philosophy,” analyzing Apple’s baseband chip development layout and ambitions.
In 2019, the day Apple settled with Qualcomm, Intel announced its exit from the 5G baseband chip market.
At that time, MagSafe had been away from public view for four years, the mysterious M1 chip hadn’t been unveiled, and iPhone had just begun its all-screen era.
That July, Intel packaged its related teams and assets, selling them to Apple for $1 billion, marking Apple’s entry into self-developed baseband chips.
Five years have passed – MagSafe has returned, M-series chips have reached M4, and iPhone has only added one camera control button.
Now, we finally hear Apple’s baseband chip footsteps approaching us, slowly but steadily.