Comm Unit Upgrade Question

[Dark Midian]

I only saw one major thread for this about five months ago, so I figure I'd give this a shot once the dust had settled for the Core Rulebook being out.

The rulebook states:

Comm unit:

A personal comm unit is pocket-sized device that combines a minor portable computer (treat as a tier-0 computer with no upgrades or modules) and a cellular communication device, allowing wireless communication with other comm units in both audio- and text-based formats at planetary range (see page 272). A personal comm unit also includes a calculator, a flashlight (increases the light level one step in a 15-foot cone), and several entertainment options (including games and access to any local infospheres). You can upgrade a personal comm unit to function as some other devices (such as full computers and scanners) by spending credits equal to 110% of the additional device’s price.

Now, normally, upgrading your computer makes the thing bulky and hard to transport, but doesn't cost anything more than what the table for tier costs says it does.

To upgrade a comm unit however, you have to pay over double the cost of the tier AND presumably it still makes your comm unit bigger so you basically have to pay for the miniaturization upgrade to transport it anywhere? Is there a reason for price hike?

Also, are upgrades subject to the 110% umbrella?

[Fuzzypaws]

Where are you getting double the price? When it says you pay 110% of the cost for the upgrade, that means you just pay the price of the upgrade plus a 10% surcharge for combining into another item. So if the computer you add to your phone costs, say, 20,000 credits for a tier 6 computer, you pay that 20k plus a 2k surcharge.

However. You are correct that higher tier computers have increased bulk. So you do have to pay for miniaturization on top of the computer's cost in order to keep it phone sized.

[Ravingdork]

It's be nice if it stayed small, and that, that was one of the reasons for the 10% surcharge.

[Torbyne]

If it increased the bulk than it's not really a personnel comm unit anymore anyways as the features of a tier 0 cell phone should be included with a full size computer anyways. If it doesn't stay small than it doesn't actually do anything anyways... unless this all hinges on the flashlight app. I will admit that most Computers don't have built in flashlights.

[pithica42]

Personally, I think I'm going to house-rule that you can add the basic abilities of a Personal comm unit to any computer for the flat 7 credits. You're essentially just adding a webcam, flash, mic, and infosphere connection, I'd think that'd be common on almost any computer anyway. I mean, I can see why a server in a server room wouldn't have all that, but any normal use machine? It seems insane to add 2,000cr for that.

[Fuzzypaws]

pithica42 wrote:

Personally, I think I'm going to house-rule that you can add the basic abilities of a Personal comm unit to any computer for the flat 7 credits. You're essentially just adding a webcam, flash, mic, and infosphere connection, I'd think that'd be common on almost any computer anyway. I mean, I can see why a server in a server room wouldn't have all that, but any normal use machine? It seems insane to add 2,000cr for that.

This is probably the best approach tbh. The 10% surcharge seems more reasonable if you're doing /other things/ to a phone (like making it a laser gun), but just adding phone capabilities to a computer should be basically free.

[Dark Midian]

Basically, if you were to do it the way the book intends (Adding computer stuff to a phone) it'd cost the additional 10% plus the fact that if you still want to keep it comm unit sized you'd be required to pay for the miniaturization thanks to computers gaining bulk by tier.