Google laptop?

[Norm]

I don't understand, but would like to, what you mean. Small words please

I think you do understand as you've described it perfectly.

Many smart phones can be set up to operate as a portable WiFi hot spot, just like a router. They broadcast a small (generally low signal strength for battery conservation) WiFi network which you can connect through if you have another device which has WiFi but no cellular access. They come with all the usual WiFi security (WEP, WPA, WPA2) and you can manage individual user accounts as well, if desired.

One major advantage of this is, if you are looking at a iPad, for instance, they come in WiFi or WiFi+3G flavours. If you get the +3G option, not only is it more expensive to buy initially but you also have to sort out another SIM card, data contract, monthly fees etc. if, however, you have a mobile which can create the portable hot spot, then you don't need any of that. You also have the advantage that you can place a phone somewhere high up to get good signal if you are in a marginal area.

If you are using a laptop or, up to now, a Google Nexus 7, then you generally don't have the option of built-in 3G, but I wouldn't (indeed, didn't) buy anything like a tablet with 3G built in anyway.

If you have an Android phone, the path to turn it on / off is Menu > Setting > Wireless & Networks > Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot, although that might be slightly different in different versions.

Hope that helped, @PaulSB, let me kow if it didn't or there's any other questions. It's a fab option which I'm sure more people would use if it was more widely understood.

 

[PaulSB]

Ah yes Norm thank you. I now realise I've been doing this for years one way or another even back to my old Nokia days.

My phones have the ability to create a hot spot using 3G which then allows me Internet access on laptops etc. I prefer to do this via USB but can via blue tooth and wi fi.

Interesting isn't it? I just think of "personal hotspots" someone else "creates their own wi fi" but we both mean the same thing

Thanks again

 

[Norm]

The benefits compared to the old Nokia days are:
1) It works
2) No cables required
3) Can connect multiple devices at once

I think that WiFi is faster than Bluetooth, and again has the possibility for multiple devices, so my phone can be used to connect 3 devices at the same time when we're out together in the car / train.

 

[Seryth]

Or you can forget about ChromeOS and install Ubuntu, Debian, Gentoo, ...

Have fun using Gentoo as your first GNU/Linux OS! Took me long enough to install it in a VM, and that was following documentation! Debian is nice though, once you've configured it how you want it. As is Ubuntu, though I'm not a fan of this new Unity crap...I much preferred ye olde Gnome 2! If I had to pick a starters distro now, I'd say Linux Mint, Debian Edition.