Although Apple began making cellular-capable tablets in April 2010, four years later most Windows-Intel tablets are still Wi-Fi only, Cnet.com reports.

International Data Corporation (IDC) said on Thursday that worldwide tablet shipments (including 2-in-1 hybrid devices) saw 3.9-percent growth over the same period a year ago, and that 2014 will be a "challenging year for the category" with the "the rise of large-screen phones".

And, although there are some decent new designs from in the likes of Dell ($249 Venue Pro 8) and Lenovo ($399 ThinkPad 8), there are still precious few with 4G/LTE.

To take one instance, the relatively-comprehensive Microsoft Store’s tablet page shows no Windows 8.1/Intel tablets with 4G. And Best Buy has only one among dozens, while Verizon lists none. Ditto for AT&T.

There are exceptions, of course, Lenovo, whose new ThinkPad 8, which has had good reviews, will have a 4G option. Problem is that feature’s not on the current ThinkPad 8\'s spec sheet, and, Microsoft has no 4G model.