The target price is (was as of 2015) $100-$300. Really not that expensive.

https://web.archive.org/web/20150329174815/http://shitelonsa...

The target price means nothing. Musk hasn't talked about them in years. Other companies have tried (and failed) and low cost phased array. Until they're delivering at that price, think of it like musk's original Tesla production rate predictions.

Which he hit, to be fair.

Google image search "iridium hotspot" and "bgan". They range in size from a small ipad to a large ipad. Pretty reasonable for global connectivity (although not built into a laptop's frame).

You missed the "expensive" part, and iridium is not comparable when looking at speeds.

Those small iridium hotspots are also much lower bandwidth

2kbps to be precise

They also weight 800g.

And the starlink antennae they "hope to get down to the size of a pizza box" (which also of course needs to be powered). This is not a mobile solution.

If I can fit it in a pelican case in a checked piece of luggage (62 linear inches, up to 50lbs), it’s mobile enough. Carry on luggage compatible would spoil me.