Dell Latitude 5490 Cellular Query

Question

Hi,

I recently purchased a Dell Latitude 5490 and I noticed it is the model without the Smartcard reader and Cellular option. I opened the bottom panel to install a WLAN card for WiFi and noticed that there is a slot for a WWAN card, so this had me wondering if I could purchase a WWAN card and install it, then put a SIM card into the slot. I did notice that the SIM card tray is capped off as it is not a feature used in this model, but it can be removed, so I could purchase a SIM card tray and install the SIM as the SIM card reader is built into the computer. Let me know if this is technically possible.

Kind regards,

Lewis Brumby

ejn63 · Accepted Answer

It is, if there antenna leads in the system for a WWAN card. If there are not, retrofitting them is just about impossible -- if there are no antenna leads and you need WWAN support, use a USB WWAN adapter.

Lewis Brumby · Answer

Hi ejn63,   Thank you for your swift response, I just checked inside the unit and indeed there is no antenna cables. So I will look into a USB dongle in this case.   Another question I had is what is the difference between the 5490 and E5490 model?   Kind regards, Lewis Brumby

ejn63 · Answer

Likely nothing -- the 5490 was one of the first systems to drop the E-series designation.  Some may quote the model number with the old E designation.

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Dell Latitude 5490 Cellular Query

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