Gadgets

Bluetooth’s Awkward Position in Notebooks

Abe Olandres April 10, 2010 · 2 min read

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A number of low-cost and entry-level notebook manufacturers have opted to skip integrated Bluetooth modems in their units in favor of a lower price-point. And they’ve got good reasons to do so.

The reasons are pretty simple really and it’s all about the cost of production.

First, it would seem that not a lot of laptop/netbook users actually use the built-in Bluetooth modem in their units. So, I asked myself when was the last time I connected my mobile phone to my laptop via Bluetooth. I think only once in the last 30 days. I’ve given the USB cable the priority over Bluetooth (primarily because I think it consumes less power on both the laptop and the cellphone).

Second, the cost of adding Bluetooth on a unit is much more expensive than buying a Bluetooth USB dongle. Let’s just say the notebook manufacturer is able to lower the suggested retail price of their units by Php1,000 by skipping the Bluetooth entirely.The savings are then passed on to consumers.

On the other hand, if a laptop user really needs Bluetooth connectivity, they can just go and buy external ones. They’re pretty small and pretty cheap (last time I checked, they sell for Php150 at CDR-King).

I think it’s a win-win situation — manufacturers are able to lower product price-points and consumers have a cheaper alternative if thy really want one.

What do you guys think? Is Bluetooth that important a feature in your laptops?

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Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

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73 Comments

Alexei Rivera · 16 years ago

I use the built-in BT for presentations as well. Built-in just works better and doesn’t require me to fish out a dongle when I need it. Of course, dongles will just occupy one USB space anyway.

Top it off, the CD-R king dongle that I own doesn’t exactly work satisfactorily enough.

Roy · 16 years ago

I’m fine with not having internal BT only if there’s 1k price discount plus an extra USB port between other wise two notebooks that are exactly the same.

razorous · 16 years ago

I use my builtin bt for 3G/GPRS internet connection using my phone when outdoor. Really prefer using my usb ports on other devices..

paul e. · 16 years ago

bluetooth’s a necessity for me cuz i also use my 3G/HSDPA-capable moblie phone as a modem. less clutter and more discreet when compared with using a cable or a usb modem stick.

manong · 16 years ago

that is.. kung merong ganung brand na may w/ or w/o models na tingin ko eh wala, as s’yuga said, “Letâ€™s just say the notebook manufacturer is able to lower the suggested retail price of their units by Php1,000…”

manong · 16 years ago

pinoy buyer: pre, baka pwede mong ibigay sa akin ung w/ bt model sa presyo ng w/o bt?

pinoy seller: cge po… walang problema

KITAM?

manong · 16 years ago

i don’t believe internal bluetooth alone cost 1k (even maybe including the cost of the usb connection+button+led indicator+software). i think Php 1K is the ideal/promo pricepoint difference for manufacturers just to distinguish the w/ & w/o model. Sino ba naman magppresyo ng 150 pesos difference? TANGA…

Jad · 16 years ago

Hmm, my tablet pc has built-in bluetooth, and though I don’t use it often, it is convenient if I do need to use it coz it’s right there. Paying P150 for a bluetooth dongle surely sounds more pleasant than adding P1,000 for an internal bluetooth, but I look at it like I am paying P1,000 for a free USB port (bluetooth dongles use usb ports, right? or has it changed? xD)

Herce · 16 years ago

I don’t think I agree, but it also depends. On a desktop replacement laptop, I don’t think bluetooth is useful. On a mobile device like a tablet or even a netbook, I think its important. Not necessarily for mobiles but for headsets. For VOIP use. Netbooks come with webcams, why? Primarily is for using with VOIP. To remove the bluetooth, you might as well also remove the webcam.

fr0stbyte · 16 years ago

Well, the peeps who made WiFi said they Bluetooth and WiFi we’re very identical in many ways and that they are planning to augment existing WiFi enabled gadgets and electronics to enable connection between them. Read about on Engadget. Hopefully it will come to fruition one day. WiFi has one major advantage over BT.. SPEED.

bluetooth · 16 years ago

remove one zero from P1000 and that’s probably the price of integrating it. it should be even less that.

the more likely reason why they don’t put it there is that it would canibalize their higher end products if they do.

Andre Marcelo-Tanner · 16 years ago

everyone just agree on one standard and stick 1 device in there, no wifi, 3g, bluetooth, just 1 signal!

dongv · 16 years ago

yes, I connects all my input devices when in home.
wireless kb & mouse,

Ton · 16 years ago

Would prefer internal. I’d rather lose the Kensignton slot than my internal BT. Its a preference thing I guess.

RaGe Einzeln · 16 years ago

never had a problem with CDRKing’s USB dongle been using it for a year, but I only use it once/twice a month just to backup/sync my SMS and contacts

lalin · 16 years ago

I think mas reliable pa rin ang built-in bluetooth kesa dongle so I’d go for the built-in. sa dami ng gadgets relying on USB ports ngayon (iPod, phone, net connectivity, mouse, etc.), mas convenient na intact yung bluetooth, no need to look for it unlike cables.

ang daling masira ng USB dongle ng cdrking while ang mahal naman pag other brands. sana wag totally alisin ng laptop manufacturers ang bluetooth feature.

roan · 16 years ago

of course i dont mind paying 1k for the convinience of built in blue tooth on my laptop.
had bad experience on those dongles before on my desktop,it is slow saka madli masira

mcv · 16 years ago

It’s important, but it’s not gonna be a deal breaker or anything. I would prefer a laptop/netbook with Bluetooth but it’s not like I’m not going to buy a good laptop just because it doesn’t have Bluetooth.

It’s a great convenience though. I used to cut-paste pictures from my phone almost everyday and it was such a time saver. No need to look for that annoying USB cord that I just can’t seem to remember where I leave it each time I put it aside somewhere. :))

denmarkmarcelino · 16 years ago

I use Bluetooth to control my laptop with my K800i during presentations so the feature is one of the things Iâ€™m looking for in my next notebook.

Having a Bluetooth dongle is cheap and handy, but it really becomes a pain when you suddenly need the connection but couldnâ€™t use it because you left your dongle at home, in the office or in the car.

-Well Said Jhay! same reason for me.

Calvin · 16 years ago

haven’t really used bluetooth on my laptop at all. maybe it’s because i don’t usually connect phones to it. ok na yung cable.

loadex · 16 years ago

I doubt the savings will be passed on to consumer. It will just add up to their own profit.

I just can’t imagine my netbook without an internal bluetooth.

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@loadex – have first hand experience between two similar models – one with Bluetooth and the other with built-in Bluetooth. The one without Bluetooth is actually cheaper and would follow that the savings was passed on. I think the proper question for you is — would you pay Php1,000 for an internal Bluetooth or go for the external Bluetooth worth Php150?

techiewitty · 16 years ago

Right yuga, my new neo netbook doesnt have a bluetooth device and the price will really differ much for a 1000 pesos compared to those that have a built in bluetooth device.
And you were right that buying a blutooth device is much cheaper.

techiewitty · 16 years ago

Jhay · 16 years ago

I use Bluetooth to control my laptop with my K800i during presentations so the feature is one of the things I’m looking for in my next notebook.

Having a Bluetooth dongle is cheap and handy, but it really becomes a pain when you suddenly need the connection but couldn’t use it because you left your dongle at home, in the office or in the car.

nonieblau68 · 16 years ago

you’re sir abe…i don’t know with the other tech savvy people….

wh@ · 16 years ago

id rather get the 1K discount and remove the built BT and buy a dongle. makakatipid pa ako. in times like this saving is a MUST. so if i need to use a BT i’ll just use the dongle.

drealmarlon · 16 years ago

it is good that no BT on my laptop,kasi yung mga co-work ko hingi ng hingi ng mp3s at videos.

blankPixels · 16 years ago

I agree with petken. We have a photo printing business here at our internet cafe. I don’t use my computer’s bluetooth function. I ask customers to send it to my phone. Then, I use it to transfer the photos to my computer. It’s faster than using my laptop’s bluetooth.

And, most of the time, my laptop’s bluetooth acts up so I stopped using it last year pa.

petken · 16 years ago

I never use Bluetooth kasi ang bagal pag large or maraming files… Better parin pag through cables… Pero napansin ko rin sa Amazon na maraming low to mid range laptops ang walang bluetooth…

Spidey · 16 years ago

You have a pint there Yugs… At the end of the day total cost of the notebook is what matters. What we need is enough USB ports.

Jerico “Salleh” Vilog · 16 years ago

Bluetooth is one necessary feture I often consider in buying my netbook. I regret buying my first MSI netbook due to lack of bluetooth.

I use bluetooth often for file transfer between my laptop and fone.

Almost Techie · 16 years ago

That was enlightening. I’ve considered BT as a necessity, especially if I have no cables with me when I travel. But shelling out a thousand pesos for an integrated BT? I think I’ll just run to the nearest CDR-King & save myself PhP850 for some pizza.

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@jeff – agree but I’d like to paraphrase the question to you — if a shop is able to give you Php1,000 discount on a new netbook but removes the internal Bluetooth, would you go for it and just buy an external Bluetooth from CDR-King for Php150?

angelo · 16 years ago

i have a compaq b1293tu laptop and its very handy when syncing my e71 automatically. Though the small usb BT devices look really nice if i did not have them built-in.