Key Takeaways
- The new Linkport IK511 from T-Mobile and TCL is a compact 5G adapter for laptops or tablets that connects via USB-C.
- It’s available for $96 with a 50% discount for Go5G Next customers and pairs nicely with T-Mobile’s new $5 add-ons for device data services.
- There are no complex controls: just a device that plugs in and uses a web interface for settings, designed as a laptop accessory.
T-Mobile and TCL are releasing a new 5G mobile device that connects directly to your tablet or laptop. The TCL Linkport IK511 adds 5G connectivity to devices with a USB-C connection. It’s compact at just 8.5cm long and has one USB-C port for connecting to your PC. T-Mobile has announced that the device will be available exclusively in T-Mobile stores from October 17 and will be available to people with consumer and business subscriptions.
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T-Mobile previously announced the device alongside upgrades to its Go5G Next and Go5G Next Business plans that let you add the device to your plan for just $5 per month. This essentially means that you can convert a laptop into a 5G-connected laptop with one device. There are a handful of laptops available with 5G built-in, but if you want to use an older laptop or just want more choice in which laptop you get, the TCL Linkport IK511 could be a worthwhile upgrade.
Upgrade your laptop to 5G for under $100
No more searching for public Wi-Fi or burning your phone’s battery
Hotspots are nothing new, and many of the best mobile hotspots have Wi-Fi and USB-C connections, but they can be quite expensive, and perhaps a little too complicated for their own good. The TCL Linkport IK511 keeps it simple, with no screen or device controls, using the web interface on your computer to change options. It’s easier to think of it as a laptop accessory than a mobile hotspot. It has a system LED, a network LED and an SMS LED so you know if the device is powered on and connected.
The internet connection comes via the USB-C connection to your PC, so you don’t have to worry about connecting to WiFi or charging a standalone device. Its small size allows you to easily store it in a laptop bag when you don’t need it. The Linkport IK511 supports Windows 7 and newer, macOS 10.15 and newer, Linux including Ubuntu 22.04 and newer, iPadOS 15 and newer, and Android 11 and newer. Only a USB-C to USB-C cable is included and TCL recommends that you do not use any other USB cable, so your device must have USB-C in order to work.
The simplicity of this product is a selling point, as it’s actually called 5G RedCap, short for reduced capabilities. It uses a Snapdragon T-Mobile Chief Technology Officer John Saw said: “5G RedCap will transform the way consumers and businesses connect, catapulting old Wi-Fi-only devices into the country’s leading 5G network. LINKPORT – on T-Mobile’s network – provides instant, flexible 5G access for first responders, teachers and regular users alike.”
On 5G, the Linkport IK511 supports the bands n25, n41, n66, n71 and n77, all mid-band or low-band frequencies. While these speeds aren’t the gigabit+ speeds we may have seen with 5G, it’s more than fast enough to get your work done when you’re away from home. If you have T-Mobile’s best unlimited plan, Go5G Next, you can add the device to your plan for just $5 per month. If you have a Go5G Next business account, you can also add this for $5 per month, but with dual hotspot data from 50GB to 100GB.
Before you spend money on a standalone hotspot device, remember that your Android phone can also share the connection with a laptop via Wi-Fi or even USB-C if your device supports it.
The Linkport IK511 itself costs $96, but can be purchased at 50% off for Go5G Next customers for a limited time. If you have T-Mobile’s top plan and want to keep a laptop or tablet connected, this can be an affordable way to get your older devices online.
The TCL Linkport IK511 also supports T-Mobile Priority, a dedicated high-priority network segment built for first responders, announced in September 2024. This separates this high-priority traffic from standard traffic so it cannot get through reliably. times of heavy congestion or reduced capacity.
TCL Linkport IK511
$48 $96 Save $48
The TCL Linkport IK511 is a compact 5G adapter for laptops and tablets. It used T-Mobile’s 5G network and supports mid-band download speeds of up to 200 Mbps. Unlike most hotspots, this device does not have WiFi and is intended as a simple adapter for laptops or tablets.
