Can a sim card be used in a laptop?

Just a thought: could someone make an sd-sim card adapter and software/program that would easily allow me to use the micro sim card I take out of my phone, in my laptop/ultrabook (running windows or mac OS)?

This seems like such a logical thing to do because it would allow you to easily have internet on the go without paying a ton more money for mobile internet.

Preferably someone with more tech knowledge than me can explain why this isn't possible, or if it is why someone hasn't done it, thanks!

Guest

There are tablets and laptops that have a SIM card slot in them (my Lenovo X1 Carbon does). It is hardly a new idea!

The more usual approach is a "USB dongle". Plug the SIM card into the dongle and use that for 3G access. These have been around for years and are very useful for that device.

The more useful and modern approach is to have your own portable Wi-Fi hotspot that any of your devices can connect to - tablet, PC, Kindle, etc. Look up the MiFi devices and use one of those; or use your existing phone to create Internet Sharing hotspot you can connect to.

Which SIM CARD you put in any of these - whether it is from your phone or another one specially for that device doesn't matter - but SOME SIM cards won't work outside the device they are supposed to be in.

chrisjbsc

Well for one does that even work with internet? And who wants to have a phone hanging off their computer? I know you can use your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot but mobile data connections are already slower that just makes it borderline unusable unless youre paying hundreds a month for premium data. Besides its not like you need to make a 'device', just a simple sim-sd adapter, just like there's a microsd-sd adapter that costs a dollar on ebay. And of course a small program

nick

Good Thought - propose this to Microsoft or Google

Vandana

You can buy a cheap phone and plug it on USB. Now your laptop can make calls and send SMS. Why make a device for that? Its possible. All tablets with cellular has them inbuilt.SD Sim card is not possible. As it doesn't have inbuilt hardware to transmit those frequencies. You can just strip off your laptop and a phone.plant it and solder it to an USB port.

shankar

It can be if the engineers wish to do it. But currently we don't have any laptops like that.

Amit

I'm also looking for such a laptop, but unfortunately there's not, the most common method is via USB dongle, which is only way what I find now to solve this problem, Huawei e8278 is one of them, and it can support 10 devices simultaneously, it is I'm now in use, running perfectly.

Yeil

Can i use Sim card without any external hardware

Guest