Mobile internet

[Rhythm Thief]

Wow, my first "Electric Cafe" post.

From next week, I'll be practically living in my lorry, out on the road away from civilization and the internet. I'm thinking of getting a laptop so I can keep up with you lot and to give myself something to do during the long minutes of free time a lorry driver enjoys. What's the best option for mobile internet, and what should I be looking to spend on a reasonable quality used laptop? What names are good? I know absolutely nothing about computers, so be gentle with me!

 

[FBOAB]

I think a netbook might be worth looking into. Something like an Acer. I have an HP 2133 from PC world. It's okay for surfing and lightweight work but that's about it really. Don't know about mobile internet as there's alot of free access around to tap into as long as you keep looking! Where will you be based mainly?

 

[very-near]

Get a broadband dongle off your phone provider with a sensible data limit, and I'd personally go for one of the new small screen ones for convenience (10" types) and an external dvd writer/reader to keep the form factor down.

 

[piedwagtail91]

i've got a samsung nc10 netbook, no problems so far. excellent battery life of around 7 hours. my daughter has a O2 payg broadband dongle, i've used it in the netbook (only to set it up and visit a couple of sites) and it seems ok.
the external dvd player is a good idea, lets you watch videos! we're taking one on holiday in case it rains.

 

[very-near]

There are also a few companies on ebay doing hi gain antenna's for these dongles.

Probably a good idea if you are sat in a layby with poor reception.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mobile-Broadb...14&_trkparms=72:1690|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

 

[derall]

WiFi is fine as far as the coverage goes, but you still have to hunt around to get free access WiFi, places like Starbucks will charge you for access.

Check all the providers' websites - they all have maps showing the 3G coverage in the UK; I have a dongle from 3, and I find their coverage very good - except a few blackspots around Kew, where I just can't get a signal. I even manage to get a signal on the edges of the Cairngorms

Netbooks (and presumably laptops soon, if not already) can be had with built-in 3G as well as built-in WiFi.

 

[ufkacbln]

Look at your ISP - some of the "charged" WiFi also have options for individual ISPs - BT Openzone is an example.

In the meanwhile - depending on what you are after the groundbreaking (at the time) EEEPC is excellent value especially if you are only surfing.

and you can pick up a basic one for abot £120

 

[rob_mcp]

Writing from a dell netbook using my phone as a modem via usb cable - if you have a contract mobile check out whether the contract can/does include internet. I signed up again last autumn and got a new phone, more minutes, free texts and internet £5 less than I'd been on before. As for the machine - since new ones are getting cheaper all the time i'm not sure i'd go second hand - have you tried Tesco recently!