Laptop & wireless internet [Archive] - VoIP Forums, Internet Phone Service Forums, & Web Hosting Forums

uhsites

01-29-2004, 02:14 PM

Ok, these may seem like dumb questions, but oh well.
First, I've never had a laptop, but since I will probably be moving around a lot more soon, I think I will need to get one. I want to get a good laptop with a lot of power-- I'll want to be able to do some web/graphics design-- but I don't want to spend too much money.

Next, when I'm travelling, how could I get online with the laptop, besides having to stop & plug it into a phoneline? Can I get a sattelite services (for example, on top of a camper or whatever)-- or is there some other way I could get online while travelling?

y6y6y6

01-29-2004, 02:31 PM

"I want to get a good laptop with a lot of power-- I'll want to be able to do some web/graphics design-- but I don't want to spend too much money."

I've been very happy with the Dell 600m I bought for this purpose. It's good at most games and works wonderfully with Photoshop. I got it new for $1050 on eBay from a reseller.

"when I'm travelling, how could I get online with the laptop, besides having to stop & plug it into a phoneline?"

The wireless card makes this easier. Many hotels are now offering broadband. You can also connect wirelessly at Starbucks for a fee. If that's not good enough you can usually find open wireless access points without looking too hard. For example, I can see three open access points on my laptop from my apartment.

vanselus

01-29-2004, 02:34 PM

And don't forget about the low-tech route. You can always get an 800# account with somebody like Earthlink and wherever you can find a phone jack, you can get online.

About photoshop on a laptop, the Gateway 450 my wife has works pretty dang good too - although the battery life isn't the greatest and it gets kinda warm on the lap. It was around $1200

uhsites

01-29-2004, 02:38 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by y6y6y6
You can also connect wirelessly at Starbucks for a fee. If that's not good enough you can usually find open wireless access points without looking too hard. For example, I can see three open access points on my laptop from my apartment. [QUOTE]

Starbucks... hmm... I think I remember seeing a starbucks once, someplace... Yes, yes, I remember, I had a bagel there once!!

But I live on a ranch & might be travelling to, like, places without starbucks :-D

How do you find open access points & use them?

uhsites

01-29-2004, 02:41 PM

Originally posted by vanselus
And don't forget about the low-tech route. You can always get an 800# account with somebody like Earthlink and wherever you can find a phone jack, you can get online.

About photoshop on a laptop, the Gateway 450 my wife has works pretty dang good too - although the battery life isn't the greatest and it gets kinda warm on the lap. It was around $1200

Yeah, but then you have to wait until you find a phone jack. I might be travelling between places where there are no phone jacks. Like, for example, we have a camper & go places without phone jacks, etc. away from cities. Sooo, I might want to use that, but basically I want to find out all my options just in case.

SnakEyez

01-29-2004, 02:45 PM

You want things that are hard to come by. Good speed/power and the ability to use high end graphics programs do not equal a cheap laptop.

First I will address the wireless issue. Wireless cards only work where there is a wireless router. These are found in most colleges (although they usually require passwords to access the internet), starbucks and some other coffee shops, hotels, airports, and some other misc. places. The speed you get is fairly good. This is basically the only way to get internet service through wireless right now but that area is quickly growing like cellular service so expect it to only get better.

Now with the laptop. My personal opinion is that nothing outperforms an Apple Powerbook. Thin, light, powerful and great battery life (even with the DVD player, although I don't recommend watching too many movies without being plugged in because after one movie you will probably want to recharge). However, they are not cheap (the 12" starts at $1,299, the 15" at $1,999 and the 17" at $2,999).

On the PC side of things I would have to recommend the Intel Centrino stuff. The AMD 64 is a great processor but 64 bit laptops are really premature and it's not going to be the best for battery life. Also when you buy a laptop since you acknowledge that you are going to be traveling some the key things you should look for are screen size (bigger is better if you need to use it a lot), and weight. If you have to carry it around would you rather carry around a big laptop or a small thin one?

If you want a better assessment of which laptop specs you should go after, post back what price range you want to stay in or the maximum you would be willing to spend (tax + shipping included).

uhsites

01-29-2004, 02:51 PM

Thanks for the great post Snake. Right now I llive way out on a ranch, so there's no cable, no dsl, no wireless routers... and I might be travelling in areas without these things too. So I was kind of hoping for some kind of magic way to get online, no matter where you are :-(
Guess it isn't possible.

Laptop... I'd probably want to stay under $2,000 or $2,500, because I think it might be a temporary thing. If I end up thinking I might use a laptop for most of my regular stuff, then I might want to spend more on it.

I think I would rather have a PC. It doesn't have to be super light like some of them are. If there is a heavier one that performs better, I'd definatly want that one.

Tammy

01-29-2004, 03:14 PM

It depends where you are travelling. If you are going to NYC, I can tell you with 100% confidence that you will be able to hook up to a random wireless connection without any trouble at all. Usually, you won't even have to leave your hotel room.

If you are going to other cities, there are places you can find a wireless connection. Some fast food places, airports, libraries, some hotels - there are places that tend to offer free wireless.

If you in between cities, the pickings are much leaner. In a few years, though, I fully expect there to be just about 100% coverage in the US through one service or another for wireless Internet. It's coming.

Viper007Bond

01-29-2004, 03:21 PM

Originally posted by uhsites
Guess it isn't possible.
Well, it is, it's just not reasonably affordable. ;)

uhsites

01-29-2004, 03:23 PM

I'd like to know about it anyway, even if it isn't affordable. That way I can at least drool over it or dream about it.

Tammy

01-29-2004, 03:25 PM

If it's possible but not affordable, that is a good clue it will be probable and affordable in a few years. ;)

vanselus

01-29-2004, 03:28 PM

It's reasonabily affordable - it just depends on how much a internet connection is worth to you!

uhsites

01-29-2004, 03:30 PM

Originally posted by vanselus
It's reasonabily affordable - it just depends on how much a internet connection is worth to you!

That's true. There are some things people might be like, "Ooh, that's too expensive"-- but, if it ends up saving you money (or at least paying for itself) in the long run, it's worth it.

Soo.. TELL ME MORE ABOUT IT!! What is it & how much are we talking about?

Tammy

01-29-2004, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by uhsites
How do you find open access points & use them?

There is another thread on this topic with lots of Internet sites reporting hot spots:

http://forums.hostrocket.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11072

vanselus

01-29-2004, 03:35 PM

Originally posted by uhsites
Soo.. TELL ME MORE ABOUT IT!! What is it & how much are we talking about?

More about which idea?

uhsites

01-29-2004, 03:39 PM

I said I was hoping for some sort of magic way to go online that would work from no matter where I was. And then I said, "I guess it isn't possible". Viper said, "Yes, it is, just not reasonably affordable".
So, I'm wondering, what is it he's talking about? There is some way to get online from anyplace, but it's just expensive? How much does it cost & how does it work?

Viper007Bond

01-29-2004, 03:47 PM

I wasn't talking about anything particular and I'm not an expert on this, but there are things out there like cell phones (max of 24 kbps), sattelite phones and even satellite internet. However, I'd bet you'd have to re-aim the dish each time you moved and I doubt it'd work while on the move.

Not to mention that clouds, etc. can thorw off the connection.

KLH

01-29-2004, 05:04 PM

Verizon Wireless sells PCMCIA cards for your laptop for Internet Only (i think they might have voice to, but I am unsure). They also sell data plans. I know for Unlimitted Internet, it is $80/month and you can expect speeds of around 60 kbps up to 100 kbps (depending on signal strength). So basically dialup speeds, or a bit better.

They also have lower speeds, and also have things where you can connect your existing phone up via USB to get internet at lower speeds. I am currently in the process of getting something set up for my laptop and my new phone I just got this week!

I got a LG VX 6000 Camera Phone!

Viper007Bond

01-29-2004, 05:13 PM

That sounds really cool and the right solution for uhsites IMO - if they can afford it. $80 is spendy.

vanselus

01-29-2004, 06:00 PM

KLH, how do you like the new LG??

And I didn't realize they offered speeds up to 100 - sorry for the misinformation :)

Tammy

01-29-2004, 06:18 PM

Don't quote me, but I believe Sprint PCS offers nationwide wireless for around $80 a month, or so I have heard. Dialup speeds, of course.

vanselus

01-29-2004, 06:22 PM

Originally posted by Tammy
Don't quote me, but I believe Sprint PCS offers nationwide wireless for around $80 a month, or so I have heard. Dialup speeds, of course.

(sorry, i couldn't resist)

Viper007Bond

01-29-2004, 06:46 PM

We need a :lol: smilie...

gaustin

01-29-2004, 06:46 PM

I just bought an iBook G3 in December for 700$. Doesn't look like they're selling them on the apple store anymore. Really nice machine, probably won't run any super high end graphics software very well. But it will run PS, browses fast, and gives me access to gcc on the road.

KLH

01-29-2004, 11:41 PM

I like my new phone. I am just tyring to get ahold of a cheap data cable for it. So far the cheapest I've found is $30, but I've heard some people say that they have gotten theirs for$20 on different message boards, but they have yet to give me any links.

vanselus

01-30-2004, 01:51 AM

Viper007Bond

01-30-2004, 01:53 AM

I don't like 'em - they don't work as well as the other Macs for a doorstop. :D

vanselus

01-30-2004, 01:58 AM

Originally posted by Viper007Bond
I don't like 'em - they don't work as well as the other Macs for a doorstop. :D

Man, I'm about ready to make YOU into a doorstop! :D

uhsites

01-30-2004, 02:36 AM

Originally posted by gaustin
I just bought an iBook G3 in December for 700$. Doesn't look like they're selling them on the apple store anymore. Really nice machine, probably won't run any super high end graphics software very well. But it will run PS, browses fast, and gives me access to gcc on the road.

Wow, that is affordable. I wouldn't need to run any super high graphics software... just dreamweaver, paint shop pro, and some stimpler stuff.

But sometimes it's better to spend more and get something that is really quality. It can save you in the long run if you spend more sometimes. I don't want to get something that sucks.

Tammy

01-30-2004, 11:39 AM

Originally posted by uhsites
But sometimes it's better to spend more and get something that is really quality. It can save you in the long run if you spend more sometimes. I don't want to get something that sucks.

I can see both sides of that, too. If I can get total functionality cheap, I will go for it, less is more. But sometimes more is, well, more. I spent a lot on a laptop in the late '90s, and because it was top of the line, it had some features that weren't always present on standard laptops then (USB, cardbus, stuff like that) which turned into absolute lifesavers at various points along the way, as in, the laptop would have been useless to me without them. I would have had to buy a new laptop a while ago otherwise if I had gone cheap. So, while I am a miser at heart, sometimes it really does pay to spend more and get all the fancy features.

vanselus

01-30-2004, 01:18 PM

Come on you extremists - there is a middle ground in there! You don't necessarily have to buy "what sucks" or "spend more". Middle of the road is where it's at - decent performance, decent price.

Of course, everything is subjective, eh?? :D

uhsites

01-30-2004, 01:33 PM

Originally posted by vanselus
Come on you extremists - there is a middle ground in there! You don't necessarily have to buy "what sucks" or "spend more". Middle of the road is where it's at - decent performance, decent price.

Of course, everything is subjective, eh?? :D

Well, what's a good middle-ground laptop then? I'd be interested in something like that.

vanselus

01-30-2004, 01:42 PM

Dell 5100
http://reviews.cnet.com/Dell_Inspiron_5100/4505-3121_7-20893580.html?tag=t51

Gateway M305
http://reviews.cnet.com/Gateway_M305_series/4505-3121_7-30505160.html?tag=t51

Not the best or even that exciting (or without their bad sides), but they're a great value for the dollar.

jefflivney

01-30-2004, 06:20 PM

I see people posted that Verizon and Sprint PCS has $80/month internet services. I just wanted to point out that T-Mobile has unlimited service for $30/month - less than half the price. I don't use T-mobile because I am locked into a contract with Cingular (don't get me started) but I know many people using the PCMCIA wireless internet with T-Mobile and are very happy. I think the card sells for $200 or $300 but I have seen a ton of them on eBay for a whole lot less.

Jeff

vanselus

01-30-2004, 06:24 PM

Ebay rules for cell gear - I got my T720 on ebay for the same price as the contract - and I didn't have to sign one :D

Tammy

01-30-2004, 06:26 PM

Originally posted by jefflivney
I see people posted that Verizon and Sprint PCS has $80/month internet services. I just wanted to point out that T-Mobile has unlimited service for $30/month - less than half the price. I don't use T-mobile because I am locked into a contract with Cingular (don't get me started) but I know many people using the PCMCIA wireless internet with T-Mobile and are very happy. I think the card sells for $200 or $300 but I have seen a ton of them on eBay for a whole lot less.

Jeff

Thanks for the good information, Jeff. May have need of that one of these days. So you just pay $30, and you have unlimited Internet through their cell phone service? Sounds good to me!

jefflivney

01-30-2004, 06:38 PM

VAN - Yea, I would have bought it on eBay if I could have. I signed a 2 year contract a LONG time ago when Cingular was Houston Cellular in my area. I never remembered about the contract and it just kept auto-renewing! I love that! ;) Oh well, I got them to give me a new phone this year for being a "valuable customer" (a.k.a. money) so it all works out. I have the T720 as well.

TAMMY - No problem. Yes, yoy pay $30/month and it uses the modem in the PCMCIA card. Sure, the transmission rates are not broadband, but you can use it anywhere in the U.S.! I noticed you can be traveling 50 mph in a car and us it as well (being a passanger and all :) .) I have heard a lot of people say that the speeds are not the same as other providers, but I don't think that is true. They will be the same speed as any other GSM provider because they share eachothers towers. I do not know how Verizon relates speedwise, though, because Verizon is all CDMA (from what I remember).

Tammy

01-30-2004, 06:41 PM

Originally posted by jefflivney
TAMMY - No problem. Yes, yoy pay $30/month and it uses the modem in the PCMCIA card. Sure, the transmission rates are not broadband, but you can use it anywhere in the U.S.! I noticed you can be traveling 50 mph in a car and us it as well (being a passanger and all :) .) I have heard a lot of people say that the speeds are not the same as other providers, but I don't think that is true. They will be the same speed as any other GSM provider because they share eachothers towers. I do not know how Verizon relates speedwise, though, because Verizon is all CDMA (from what I remember). Thanks again. I have a Qwest contract, I probably will switch over to something like that when it's up. Believe me, that would make my life a lot easier if I could use it while somebody is driving me somewhere. :)

jefflivney

01-30-2004, 07:14 PM

I never knew Qwest had cellular service; I guess it is only on the west coast. Anywho, yes, it is always fun to let other people drive you around. :D Have fun!

Tammy

01-30-2004, 07:31 PM

Originally posted by jefflivney
I never knew Qwest had cellular service; I guess it is only on the west coast. Anywho, yes, it is always fun to let other people drive you around. :D Have fun!

Yes, it has cellular in 14 states, in the middle of the country. Supposedly they are merging their services with Sprint, which would give nationwide coverage (if you buy one of the pricier plans, of course). Supposed to happen this year.

jefflivney

01-30-2004, 07:41 PM

Hmmm, interesting. Most cellular providers use other people's towers. I took a look at their website and they look comparable in price, but it looks like they are using outdated technology (to me, that is about 6 months :D ). I am pretty happy with the reception and quality on Cingular, but am very dissappointed in their "Customer Service" and have been ever since they formed. Cingular formed by grouping about 30+ different local cellular phone companies, including my previous provider, Houston Cellular, into one big-honkin' conglomerate. Since then, quality of customer service for me has dramatically dropped. Ok, end rant here, :) .

Viper007Bond

01-30-2004, 08:02 PM

While we're on Qwest, don't get their DSL. They like raping you.

I have 256k/256k DSL from them which comes with MSN and runs my dad like $30 or $40 a month - some rediculous price. Not to mention the modem they give you is a piece of crap and has a built in NAT you can't turn off...

Anyway, didn't mean to hijack the thread. :)

jefflivney

01-30-2004, 11:04 PM

Haha, no problem. Really want that flat panel? :D

Viper007Bond

01-30-2004, 11:16 PM

Shh! Don't tell anyone! :D

jefflivney

01-30-2004, 11:24 PM

:) (Your website isn't showing up for me......strange.)

uhsites

01-31-2004, 12:35 AM

I really want to try out the T-Mobile thing. If it really works and it's $30/mo, and I will be able to get access from anywhere (like when I'm in a camper & someone's driving it down the highway).... that would be awesome.

Please tell me this is possible!!! I will call them monday & see what kind of plans they have.

jefflivney

01-31-2004, 12:44 AM

Yes, it is possible. Of course, it will only work where there is GSM cell phone service, I believe. That means, if you are camping somewhere remote, and there is no cellular service, there is also no internet service.

You can check it out at http://www.t-mobile.com/plans/default.asp?tab=internet. : ) It says you also get 300 text messages.....oh boy. (Although, I'm not sure how you would be able to on the computer. It's not like they can differentiate messaging and general internet use on the computer. )

uhsites

01-31-2004, 12:49 AM

So, if I just used the computer for internet stuff... how would that 300 text message thing affect me?
I have never used text messaging anyway.... never. *looks at other's faces to see the odd expressions they will have...*

jefflivney

01-31-2004, 12:55 AM

Ok, well this is how I am pretty sure T-mobile wireless internet works.

They give you a phone number. Your laptop will have a phone number just like every other cell phone number. I think if you wanted to, you *could* get phone service on that number as well. The text messaging would work on the cell phone service. There would be no way for T-Mobile to differentiate between using a program like AIM or ICQ and anything else using bandwidth on the computer. They could only count it if it was on their cell phone, I think.

You should call or go to a store to find out more about it. Also, if I were you, I would do what VAN did. Buy the Sierra Airport card on eBay or find it cheap on price site (pricegrabber, pricewatch, epinions, resellerratings, froogle, etc). You can get it for the same price or probably even less and not have to sign a 2 year contract with T-mobile. The Sierra card is the same one used by AT&T Wireless, Cingular, Sprint PCS, and most other companies I believe. So, if for some reason you want to switch, you should be able to without being in a contract with T-mobile.

Good luck!

Viper007Bond

01-31-2004, 03:09 AM

Originally posted by jefflivney
:) (Your website isn't showing up for me......strange.)
Bandwidth issues. :/

jefflivney

01-31-2004, 11:12 AM

Oh, that sucks! Well, does it reset tomorrow?

KLH

01-31-2004, 11:21 AM

It should, since it is a new month..

jefflivney

01-31-2004, 11:28 AM

Well, I wasn't sure if it is the first of every month or on the day that you joined HR...

uhsites

01-31-2004, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by jefflivney
Ok, well this is how I am pretty sure T-mobile wireless internet works.

They give you a phone number. Your laptop will have a phone number just like every other cell phone number. I think if you wanted to, you *could* get phone service on that number as well. The text messaging would work on the cell phone service. There would be no way for T-Mobile to differentiate between using a program like AIM or ICQ and anything else using bandwidth on the computer. They could only count it if it was on their cell phone, I think.

You should call or go to a store to find out more about it. Also, if I were you, I would do what VAN did. Buy the Sierra Airport card on eBay or find it cheap on price site (pricegrabber, pricewatch, epinions, resellerratings, froogle, etc). You can get it for the same price or probably even less and not have to sign a 2 year contract with T-mobile. The Sierra card is the same one used by AT&T Wireless, Cingular, Sprint PCS, and most other companies I believe. So, if for some reason you want to switch, you should be able to without being in a contract with T-mobile.

Good luck!

Thanks so much Jeff. I am going to call them monday for more informatoin. I will look on ebay and some of those other sites. The only thing about ebay is I sometimes wonder if I'm getting it new or not... And, will try froogle too. Never tried that before :)

jefflivney

01-31-2004, 01:47 PM

Sometimes I wonder about eBay too. Most people tell you if it is new or used or "new but opened." The price sites are probably your best bet. I took a look and I see it for about $250-$280 at most of the discounted places. I like froogle, because it is simple and easy to use. It doesn't have giant banner ads either. That is always a plus.

Once again, no problem, and good luck! :D

vanselus

01-31-2004, 02:34 PM

I suppose if you care that things are actually brand spanking new, never out of the box. I'd definitely pick one that's got a couple scratches on it for 1/2 price. But that's just my preference. I'm perfectly happy paying more for convenience, like getting gas at the station by my house instead of 4 miles away for .10 more/gallon. Especially when I'm late. I'm sure a lot of people think that's crazy too :D

uhsites

01-31-2004, 03:32 PM

Nah, you're not crazy. Sometimes it is worth it to pay extra.
I just think that buying electronic stuff that's not new is... dangerous.
I remember once buying a used camera. Let me tell you, I will NEVER do that again! It was a huge nightmare and the sellers were basically crooks (very mean people... but they didn't look mean... oh wait, that belongs in a different thread...)

jefflivney

01-31-2004, 05:08 PM

:) I go to the one by my house for 7 cents more than the Sam's Club that everyone uses.

Tammy

01-31-2004, 11:50 PM

Originally posted by vanselus
I suppose if you care that things are actually brand spanking new, never out of the box. I'd definitely pick one that's got a couple scratches on it for 1/2 price. But that's just my preference.

I have no problem buying refurbished. Can save you a ton of money. But buying electronics from some guy somewhere imho is a bit risky. Electronic devices are very sensitive and how they are used and transported makes a big difference.

I never seem to have problems with electronics that I buy locally. I have had a lot of problems with electronics that I bought new online and had shipped to me. The latter were cheaper, but they seem to require warranty service a lot more.