[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] LinuxETC:
Follow up, PadFone on T-Mobile US HSPA+?

I am in a similar situation of considering (a) the Google Galaxy Nexus + Nexus 7, or (b) Asus PadFone with PadStation (and other accessories). I will be US based primarily and on T-Mobile US. I am looking at the data networking side of this topic in more detail now and do appreciate the input from the XDA forum crowd here indeed. My background is Linux training and Open Source consulting (sys admin/eng type personally; the company does more), so I admit...I use one of those bulky things called "a laptop" a majority of the time at client sites on the latter and prior aspects of my work. ;) I am seeing about alternatives to "slim down the bulk" a bit, but still be able to do what I need to do work wise. However, I am trailing off point now...back on point.

I understand the G-Nex combo would be tethering tablet to smartphone with a pentaband for voice and HSPA+, 3G, EDGE, and GPRS for data. Thus, T-Mobile US will work a majority of the time (when I am not in a black hole coverage wise being that "minority" which there is such in my location of Denver, Colorado). If I travel abroad, this device combination should work in Japan and most of Europe too.

I see the Asus PadFone is HSPA+ on 900 and 2100 frequencies only (i.e., 3G), and EDGE, GPRS otherwise (i.e., 2G) on the data side and is quad band for voice. I have inquired with a few folks (US based for the purpose of my questions here) who made some YouTube videos demo'ing the PadFone with "thef8blog" guy responding that his data plan with T-Mobile is already limited and 2G in his area in rural Florida. "thef8blog" guy was kind enough to include a photo screen shot showing a DSL Reports mobile speed test and the PadFone was in EDGE mode for data via the symbol in the top right corner of the display. Marc with the PadFone Club site referenced the hardware specifications (which I noted above as well) along with no reports on HSPA+ issues either way (pro or con wise) within the US at this time, so that is a bust for intel.

I am wondering if anyone has actually tried to get full HSPA+ via T-Mobile in the US on a PadFone from Taiwan at this time? What were the results of such using something like DSL Report's Speed Tests for mobile devices if HSPA+ was indeed successful? Or indeed were the results limited like "thef8blog" guy to EDGE/2G speeds on T-Mobile?

Additionally should I wait until there is a PadFone LTE/AWS version since T-Mobile is still aiming on upgrading its infrastructure to such for 2013 (allegedly and per news and quarterly reports)? Thoughts on Google taking the PadFone concept for the next device in the Nexus series now that Asus is the hardware for the Nexus 7 (I know, wishful thinking potentially on my part and going a bit "off topic" too ;) )?

I do admit, the HSPA+ is a deal breaker for me going with the Asus PadFone vs. the G-Nex combo. A close second is the US$1k+ price tag being a close second for the PadFone vs. ~US$600 for the G-Nex + Nex-7 combo. I figured if I am willing to spend the cash for such, it BETTER work in full "out of the box" as well obviously.

Thanks in advance for additional input on this thread!