14" LAFITÉ® IV - cellular connectivity?

[flakeylime]

need some advice, i purchased the pc listed below with the intention of using it with 4g LTE connectivity, it was convenient having a sim card on the side, so i contacted pc specialist multiple times before placing my order.

they assured me it would in fact be able to connect to 4g. i have now tried 4different sim cards across multiple networks, non appear to be working.

i ordered with no operating system because i had a spare windows 10 pro key so o/s is windows 10. having googled around it seems some devices require an m.2 module for the 4g to work, is this the case for this laptop?


Chassis & Display Lafité Series: Aluminium Chassis: 14" Matte Full HD IPS LED (1920 x 1080)
Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™ i5 Quad Core Processor i5-10210U (1.6GHz, 4.2GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM) 16GB Corsair 2133MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 8GB)

Graphics Card INTEL® HD GRAPHICS (CPU Dependant) - 1.7GB Max DDR4 Video RAM - DirectX® 12
1st Storage Drive 256GB PCS 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (500MB/R, 400MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive 256GB PCS SATA SSD M.2 (500 MB/R, 400 MB/W)
Memory Card Reader Integrated 6 in 1 Card Reader (SD /Mini SD/ SDHC / SDXC / MMC / RSMMC)
AC Adaptor 1 x Lafité Series 40W AC Adaptor
Power Cable 1 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery Lafité Series Integrated 3 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (36WH)
Sound Card Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options 1 x THUNDERBOLT PORT (USB-C) + 2 x USB 3.0 PORTS
Keyboard Language LAFITÉ SERIES SINGLE COLOUR BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Operating System Language United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media NO RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Notebook Mouse INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty 3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time Standard Build - Approximately 7 to 9 working days
Welcome Book PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland


Detailed Specification

Dimensions & Weight
Dimensions (w x d x h) 329.8mm x 225mm x 18.8mm
Weight 1.40Kg
Colour Silver

Chipset
Processor Support 10th Generation Intel Processor Support

Memory
Memory Type Supports DDR4 2666MHz
Number of Modules 2 x Modules
Maximum Supported Memory 64GB

Hard Drive Capacity
Hard Drive Type 1 x 7mm, 2.5" S-ATA HDD support
M.2 Port 2 x M.2 Ports (1st for WLAN, 2nd for SSD M.2 2280 Card with SATA / PCIe Gen3 x4 interface)

Display & Graphics
Graphics Integrated Intel® HD Graphics
Screen Size 14" Widescreen
Native/Maximum Resolution 1920 x 1080
Backlight LED
Refresh Rate 60 Hz

Audio
Chipset Intel High Definition Audio
Channels 2 channel HD Audio
Connections Microphone-in and headphone-out
Speakers Built in two speakers
Integrated Microphone Yes

Communications
LAN Gigabit LAN
Wireless Support Wireless LAN 802.11AC/B/G/N (M.2 Interface)
Webcam 1.0 MP Webcam
Bluetooth Support Bluetooth V5.0 module support
LTE Support 4G

Expansion Slots
TV Tuner N/A

Keyboard & Mouse
Keys Backlit Isolated Keyboard
Language Support Multi-Language support
Pointing Device | Touchpad Mouse Built in touch pad with multi-gesture and scrolling function

Memory Card Reader
Memory Card Reader 6-in-1 Card Reader (MMC / RSMMC / SD / Mini SD / SDHC / SDXC)

Ports
USB 1 x Thunderbolt Port (USB-C), 2 x USB 3.1 Ports
Display 1 x HDMI, 1 x Mini Display Port
Microphone-IN 1
Headphone-OUT 1
DC-in 1
Kensington Lock Yes
Powered USB Via USB-C

Webcam
Webcam 1.0 MP Webcam

Battery & Power Lead
Battery Capacity Embedded Polymer Smart Lithium-Ion battery pack, 36WH
Typical Battery Life Up to 5 Hours
Battery Type Integrated
Power Lead & AC Adpater 1 x Power Lead included with AC Adapter

Security
Fingerprint Scanner N/A
Kensington Lock Yes

 

[steaky360]

I can't say for sure, I figure you've already been back on the phone to PCS given they told you categorically it should work? What do they recommend?

 

[flakeylime]

Going to phone them tomorrow when I am off, so far from what I have found out through the Clevo website.

inside the device should be an m.2 ngff connector, it requires a small 4g lte module to be installed for the sim card slot to work. The module costs between £20-£30 so not a big amount.

wouldn’t have been a problem for me to install one myself but my eyes have a problem called kerractoconus (PMD) which is why I had to stop building and servicing my own computers. I let you know what happens hopefully it’s a quick fix haven’t had any trouble with PCS before.

should be the one in the middle according to Clevo manuals / google (image taken from google for n141cu)

 

[flakeylime]

overslept today so i contacted pc specialist via the live chat.

wasn't the best response to be honest, explained situation, don't think he believed me even asked for copies of the messages between me and the pc specialist sales team. so i copied all the messages between myself and staff

noticed now on the website builder you can't select the 4g module that has now been removed.

i was also told i didn't order the correct laptop, when i proved i had the lafte IV and not the Matte edition. the staff member instructed me they won't supply me the module.

asked if the antenna wires will at least be present inside, only to have him rage quit the chat. (saved the chat).

had 4 computers from pc specialist, never expected them to behave like this so i am phoning first thing in the morning.

the chat seems to think i ordered the black one however i ordered the silver, they delivered the silver.

 

[steaky360]

If you have proof that you were told to purchase your specific laptop and that it would indeed have a 4G module, I'm very surprised with that response. Its quite disappointing.

I'd probably raise a complaint if I'm honest, if the guys on chat have the wrong info (they think you got the black laptop) well thats something that needs fixed.

Definitely give them a call though, I've always found its far easier to get information across and a proper discourse over the phone, the live chat is oftentimes excellent in a pinch, but I always prefer to phone.

 

[SpyderTracks]

If you have proof that you were told to purchase your specific laptop and that it would indeed have a 4G module, I'm very surprised with that response. Its quite disappointing.

I'd probably raise a complaint if I'm honest, if the guys on chat have the wrong info (they think you got the black laptop) well thats something that needs fixed.

Definitely give them a call though, I've always found its far easier to get information across and a proper discourse over the phone, the live chat is oftentimes excellent in a pinch, but I always prefer to phone.

I think there is a bit of a knowledge gap with the guys on the chat sometimes, I would try phoning rather than using chat.

 

[ubuysa]

asked if the antenna wires will at least be present inside, only to have him rage quit the chat. (saved the chat).

That is just not acceptable. Please phone PCS and ask to speak to the Customer Care Manager and report this. FWIW I've also passed this on to PCS via the moderator backchannel and pointed them at this thread. 🤬

 

[steaky360]

That is just not acceptable. Please phone PCS and ask to speak to the Customer Care Manager and report this. FWIW I've also passed this on to PCS via the moderator backchannel and pointed them at this thread. 🤬

I didn't spot that when I read the intial message - well spotted @ubuysa and 100% agree not acceptable from anyone.

 

[flakeylime]

quick update PCS contacted me this morning they have given me a "senior" technician who has ordered a module in and will test it before priority requesting the laptop back to install my module, got an apology for the miss communication along the way. 4th computer from them so it was quite a shock to have gone this far, will let you know how it goes.

 

[SpyderTracks]

quick update PCS contacted me this morning they have given me a "senior" technician who has ordered a module in and will test it before priority requesting the laptop back to install my module, got an apology for the miss communication along the way. 4th computer from them so it was quite a shock to have gone this far, will let you know how it goes.

That’s excellent, well done for persevering 👍🏼

 

[JakAttack]

Must have been a wonderful person who contacted you... I think there were many lessons to be learned here and we have begun sorting things out internally based on the experience which hasn't been great this time so far.

All being well, moving forward, we can get a happy outcome from this. Thank you so much for bearing with us FlakeyLime.

 

[JakAttack]

I have the module in-hand. I will be trying it with a similar chassis today.

 

[JakAttack]

We have success! Tried with my SIM card (once I found the SIM size adapter) afterwards.

 

[flakeylime]

yay was just about to update this, laptop has now been sent to pc specialist, so fingers crossed i should be able to put a sim card inside the machine when it comes back

just hope the system been on windows 10 pro doesn't cause any issues (it shouldn't)

thanks again for resolving this

 

[JakAttack]

Just another update for anyone watching. We found an issue with the 4G adapter I ordered in, no LTE support . Me and FlakeyLime both did some research over the weekend and both agreed on a model which we have ordered in and hope to have within a few days.

Fingers crossed we've got it.

 

[flakeylime]

well the original one you tried was for telefonica, in the UK it is "o2" sadly in my area i get a much better signal with vodafone

the huawei me 936 lists vodafone as an approved carrier so i can't see any issues with that module, unless windows 10 decides not to offer driver support.

only reason i need 4g is actually due to inferior connectivity.

cable network = 5-10mb down (7mb on a good day ethernet wired!!!) // 0.6mb up
4g lte = 37mb down // 22mb up (dependant on the weather)

nothing worse when you are trying to get stuff done over our cable network and someone is using netflix.

hoping starlink by spacex will be a way forward for us, BT certainly isn't taking it serious enough to upgrade our area to fibre, they actually upgraded 3 areas around us 3 years ago and completely skipped my neighbourhood.