It is time to catch up with the times. Will be heading out on the road a good deal here soon and need to take the show on the road. First of all, how does this wireless internet work? What company is the way to go to get coverage in most places? Another question, is this like a cell phone, where you have coverage in some places but not in a lot of places or how reliable is this? What are the monthly costs involved? What kind of computer should I buy? Would like a pretty good one, but not sure I need a top of the line model. Anyone that can answer these questions, especially about the internet service, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch in advance.
if you can afford it... Sony Vaio
wireless internet only works in wifi spots... you can buy one of those wireless cards from Verizon, Cingular, or Sprint and get internet anywhere in their coverage... its pretty quick in a 3G area. The card itself is like $50 and I think its $60 a month for the service
this all depends on where you live too... some places like here in Toledo.. Verizon coverage is by far better then Cingulars or Sprint...
wireless internet only works in wifi spots... you can buy one of those wireless cards from Verizon, Cingular, or Sprint and get internet anywhere in their coverage... its pretty quick in a 3G area. The card itself is like $50 and I think its $60 a month for the service
this all depends on where you live too... some places like here in Toledo.. Verizon coverage is by far better then Cingulars or Sprint...
One more important question about how this works, as I obviously know very little about it. Say I live in Omaha, if I buy this card and the monthly service from the best provider for the city of Omaha. Would I be able to access the service anywhere in Omaha, such as my home, a park, or whatever the case might be? Or do I have to go to a bar or restaurant that provides this. Please inform. So much to learn and not much time to do it. Or if anyone has a suggestion on who to contact to find this all out it would be greatly appreciated.
Sony Vaio
If you use your laptop 4-6 hours/ day.
Gateway lasts a year, Dell 16 months, Sony 24-28 months in my opinion. I've had 2 gateways, 1 dell, and 7 Sonies.
You don't need the fanciest thing out there...
Buy a pentium (Preferably duo that can accept vista in the future). Do not buy a celeron.
Get 60+ harddrive. More if you want to download porn, movies, songs.
Get 1GB ram
Make sure it is wireless (HArd not to be these days) That way you can browse at airports, starbucks, the neighbors, etc.
I buy most my computers at ubid.com. I don't mind refurbished as they still have a warranty. Many Amexs and signature visas double warranties (Great with computers cause that way when it breaks in 18 months, they can't replace it and just give you a new model if it breaks)
http://www.ubid.com/Sony_VAIO_VGN-F...B_100GB_DVD+R_DL_15.4/a10761600-c1001-s1.html
Is a very good model. I bought 10 of them a while back on Ubid, sold 7 on ebay at profit and kept 3. They are a great computer with everything you need. $1000 is a decent price. These days you can probably get it for $950ish on ebay, but much more hassle.
Sean
If you use your laptop 4-6 hours/ day.
Gateway lasts a year, Dell 16 months, Sony 24-28 months in my opinion. I've had 2 gateways, 1 dell, and 7 Sonies.
You don't need the fanciest thing out there...
Buy a pentium (Preferably duo that can accept vista in the future). Do not buy a celeron.
Get 60+ harddrive. More if you want to download porn, movies, songs.
Get 1GB ram
Make sure it is wireless (HArd not to be these days) That way you can browse at airports, starbucks, the neighbors, etc.
I buy most my computers at ubid.com. I don't mind refurbished as they still have a warranty. Many Amexs and signature visas double warranties (Great with computers cause that way when it breaks in 18 months, they can't replace it and just give you a new model if it breaks)
http://www.ubid.com/Sony_VAIO_VGN-F...B_100GB_DVD+R_DL_15.4/a10761600-c1001-s1.html
Is a very good model. I bought 10 of them a while back on Ubid, sold 7 on ebay at profit and kept 3. They are a great computer with everything you need. $1000 is a decent price. These days you can probably get it for $950ish on ebay, but much more hassle.
Sean
I have wireless on my laptop...Dell 700m...Paid too much but I like the size about 4lbs, personally I like small and light. I hooked up a wireless router in my home so I can use the notebook anywhere in my house.
Most people don't secure their Wireless networks so any one can jump on, if I'm downtown Vancouver I can get connected from pretty much anywhere piggy backing off someone else's network.
Check a program called Netstumbler, Google it, it's free, it will help you find so many more wireless networks than the MS Networking will find.
Most people don't secure their Wireless networks so any one can jump on, if I'm downtown Vancouver I can get connected from pretty much anywhere piggy backing off someone else's network.
Check a program called Netstumbler, Google it, it's free, it will help you find so many more wireless networks than the MS Networking will find.
you guys need to understand that WIRELESS and WIFI are different than driving down the road looking at the internet...you need a WIRELESS CARD that sticks into the side of your laptop for that...it uses cell towers...it is slow...i have a HI Speed wireless card from Verizon that is fairly quick but nothing compared to speeds of Cable or Wireless connection. The WIRELESS connection that you use for WIFI is internal. I have no idea how much it costs per month for the Hi Speed Wireless Card and Service...probably 60 or 70 bucks.
With Wi-Fi you would need a wireless router nearby (maybe 200 feet or less) with open access. If they have the router security enabled, you would need the key from the owner to use their connection. This is hit or miss, although it is true that if you cruise around you will eventually find one with open access in a residential area.
Wireless Broadband (if you can call it that, it is only a 3 - 4 times faster than dial up) is through a cellular provider like Cingular or Verizon. Some laptops have this built in (some of the business class Sony's have Cingular built in) and you would be more likely to find a signal in an urban / suburban area or near the interstate. Not all cellular towers have broadband capability, but you have a better chance with this. Unfortunately this is an extra $60 or more per month added to your cellular bill.
Wireless Broadband (if you can call it that, it is only a 3 - 4 times faster than dial up) is through a cellular provider like Cingular or Verizon. Some laptops have this built in (some of the business class Sony's have Cingular built in) and you would be more likely to find a signal in an urban / suburban area or near the interstate. Not all cellular towers have broadband capability, but you have a better chance with this. Unfortunately this is an extra $60 or more per month added to your cellular bill.
Many of these recommendations are good, but I would like to direct you to another site I frequent, www.notebookreview.com. They have extremely active forums and a worksheet to fill out for buyers of a new notebook. Within a few minutes you'll get plenty of recommendations from people who know what they're talking about.
As to mobile data, WiFi is great if you're close to a router. I use a Verizon air card on the road and absolutely love it. For $60/month you get very good speeds in major markets and slow dial-up type speeds elsewhere. Works anywhere Verizon works.
As to mobile data, WiFi is great if you're close to a router. I use a Verizon air card on the road and absolutely love it. For $60/month you get very good speeds in major markets and slow dial-up type speeds elsewhere. Works anywhere Verizon works.
viking611 said:
Okay, will make sure it has that. Now, one more question for you guys. If I get a wireless substription I am looking at about 60 or so a month? And if I have wifi capability on my computer that doesn't cost any more, as I just hijack my way into a network when possible or just use the wireless deal otherwise? Is that the idea?
