A portable computer system such as a laptop computer, for example, includes a computing subsystem and a wireless subsystem. The computing subsystem includes a processor that may execute instructions that implement application software. The computing subsystem also includes a memory that is coupled to the processor and may be configured to store the instructions. The wireless subsystem includes a processing unit that may execute instructions and perform functions that are associated with providing a wireless connection to a wireless network such as a wireless telephone network. The processor may execute instructions that may configure and manage operation of the wireless subsystem.