PC makers incorporating EV-DO into laptops

Computer makers Lenovo, Dell and HP are incorporating CDMA 1X EV-DO technologies directly into their laptops, creating the first integrated CDMA computers that don’t require a separate data card.

The companies announced this week that they will begin embedding EV-DO radios into their new lines of laptop, both of which will be sold with service over Verizon Wireless. Lenovo, which acquired IBM’s PC business earlier this year, is launching its first 3G laptop, the ThinkPad Z60m, available on Oct. 11 through Verizon Wireless and other business channels. Dell and HP will both launch EV-DO enabled laptops at the beginning of the year, and until then will sell EV-DO data cards through their own sales channels that come activated with Verizon Wireless service.

Sprint is also launching its EV-DO networks across the country, and while the new laptops and data cards will operate over the carriers network, Sprint has not announced any joint marketing or resale agreements with the provider. But a Lenovo spokesman said today that the Chinese vendor’s agreement with Verizon is by no means exclusive.

Sprint last week launched its first handset optimized for its new EV-DO handset targeted at businesses. The UTStarcom PDA contains EV-DO, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios and uses Microsoft’s new Windows Mobile 5.0 software. Sprint has yet to launch a consumer service and handset line to match Verizon’s V Cast service. But a launch is expected soon as Sprint rolls fills out its footprint.