5G RedCap (reduced capacity), also called NR Lite, retains key 5G features such as fast response time, low power consumption and improved security, while limiting bandwidth to a few hundred Mbps. When Qualcomm announced its 5G RedCap Snapdragon
Realizing the potential it offers, CTL has produced a new NL73 Chromebook with the Snapdragon X35 modem, demonstrating a prototype of it to interested parties at this year’s MWC Barcelona.
CTL’s NL73 range of Chromebooks currently consists of six models, all with 11.6-inch screens (some touchscreen, some not) – two ‘essentials’ (NL73 and NL73T), three ‘enhanced’ (NL73-8, NL73CT, NL73TW) and one ‘achievement’ (NL73TWB). All, with the exception of the NL73TWB, come with a quad-core 3.4GHz Intel N100 processor (the performance model has an N200 CPU).
NL73 “5G RedCap”
The latest addition to the line, NL73 “5G RedCap,” follows largely the same specs as the other Chromebooks in the range, including an N100 processor, 11.6-inch touchscreen, 16GB RAM, 128GB UFS storage and Intel AX211Wi-Fi Fi 6E, the main difference being the inclusion of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X35 modem.
While not exactly the best device the new modem will appear in, Gautam Sheoran, Vice President and General Manager, Wireless Broadband & Communications, Qualcomm Technologies, is pleased with CTL’s adoption of the technology, saying: “Congratulations to CTL with the breakthrough achievement of demonstrating their Chromebook supporting 5G RedCap and our Snapdragon We are proud to partner with CTL to drive innovation and bring the benefits of 5G RedCap to Chromebook users around the world.”
There’s no word on when the new NL73 “5G RedCap” Chromebook will be released, or how much it will cost, but existing NL73 models are priced from $299 to $449.