Dell and Lenovo laptops first to get Wireless USB

When Wireless USB tech first started appearing on the scene, many of us were left suspecting the new standard was a solution in search of a problem. At the time, Wireless USB solutions required that a hub be plugged into your PC and a dongle be attached to your device of choice--not exactly the most "wireless" situation. However, as the standard matures, OEM manufacturers are beginning to integrate Wireless USB chips into PCs and devices, thereby making the standard a much more attractive alternative to wired USB. But why would we need yet another wireless standard when we already have Bluetooth and WiFi? Well, to put it quite simply, Wireless USB boasts speeds that leave those standards in the dust: 480Mb/s data transfer at a distance of 3 meters and 110Mb/s at 10 meters.

While we still haven't seen peripherals sporting the new standard, both Dell and Lenovo are looking to have laptops out next month that feature integrated Wireless USB chips. Dell's Inspiron 1720 is a portable media monster: sporting a high-rez, 17" UltraSharp display, 7.1 surround sound and a Blu-ray drive, in addition to that Certified Wireless USB chip. Meanwhile, Lenovo's ThinkPad T61 is more business-oriented: as you'll recall, it features the Santa Rosa chipset, a magnesium alloy rollcage and Intel Turbo Memory. While it's nice to see heavyweights like Dell and Lenovo throwing their weight behind Wireless USB, it's going to take a whole lot of Wireless USB certified peripherals before anyone starts paying attention to the new standard.

For more on Wireless USB:
- see this PC World article