No 3G Support For Centrino Santa RosaNo 3G Support For Centrino Santa Rosa

It looks like Intel has flip flopped on its earlier support for built-in 3G. Intel in September said it planned to offer support for both Wi-Fi and 3G HSDPA networks in the next-generation of the Centrino mobile notebook platform, code-named Santa Rosa. But the company has since reveresed that decision. So why no 3G?"After validating the return on investment, Intel and Nokia have said that there is not sufficient return to bring the technologies together," said Intel spokesperson Agnes Kwan.

OK, so what does ths spell for me?

It means that future Santa Rosa notebooks will still have built-in Wi-Fi access (just like existing Centrino devices), but if you want to add HSDPA access, you'll still need to work through your carrier to get a cellular data card.

Of course, if you rely on a CDMA-based carrier for 3G (like Verizon Wireless or Sprint Nextel), this decision won't affect you at all. You'll need to get a wide area data card regardless.