You can access a wireless internet connection on your laptop through a variety of different mediums. Some of those will be discussed in depth giving you a clear understanding as to which route you should take when using wireless internet. Cable internet such as ADSL has been popular for a very long time, although some people now want to take internet on the road with them. Another solution is using a mobile phone or a portable device. The problem with them is we do not get the user experience of a computer, due to the small screen and compacted keys. We can now use wireless internet for laptops with the same technology cellphones use to access the internet. That is just one medium we will cover shortly...
The first method we are going to discuss involves connecting via wireless hotspots. Have you ever been at a coffee shop, restaurant, school or library and noticed there is a public wireless network available? Hotspots are increasing all around the globe, allowing you to connect to the internet while drinking your morning coffee at the local Starbucks. Most hotspot providers will allow you to use internet at a fee. At bigger venues such as airports you will be able to enter your credit card details in order to purchase internet time. Hotspots can make a great wireless option if you are away from home, but they don't always give us the freedom of connecting from other geographic locations, such as your car. That brings us to the next option...
It is possible to use your wireless mobile phone as a modem. Although this method can also be used with desktop computers, we are interested in using it with our laptop so we can have internet at any location. If your cellphone has GPRS or 3G signal you are within a geographic zone that has internet available. Most modern mobile phones will have this option. The best way to do this is to use the data cable that came with your phone. Some manufacturers do not include this cable and you will have to purchase it separately. You can also connect via Bluetooth if your phone and notebook support it. You will then need to install the software that came with your phone. If you did not get any software you will be able to download it from the manufacturers website. The software will (in most cases) allow you to setup an internet connection using your phone as a modem.
The next method we will discuss if very similar to wireless hotspots... in fact in essence it is the exact same principal. This will involve using a wireless router or access point. If you have a cable or ADSL connection at home, you will have a fast internet connection readily available. The idea here would be connect to your router via your wireless network card, and make use of its internet shared connection. The drawback here of course is that the moment you leave the coverage zone of your hotspot, you also leave your internet connection. The major advantage, however, is you can be guaranteed a very fast and reliable internet connection.
That brings us to the final method which is probably also the most costly. This will involve purchasing a 3G or HSDPA adaptor for your laptop. This will skip the step of you using your mobile as a modem, and allow you to dial in to your cellular network very easily and from any location. Bandwidth can be purchased from any WISP (wireless internet service provider). You will need a PCMCIA or USB device. PCMCIA 3G cards are usually the most cost effective device. When signing up with a WISP, they will tell you exactly which hardware you will need to access their service. Wireless internet for laptops can be extremely handy, so get yourself setup straight away.
The first method we are going to discuss involves connecting via wireless hotspots. Have you ever been at a coffee shop, restaurant, school or library and noticed there is a public wireless network available? Hotspots are increasing all around the globe, allowing you to connect to the internet while drinking your morning coffee at the local Starbucks. Most hotspot providers will allow you to use internet at a fee. At bigger venues such as airports you will be able to enter your credit card details in order to purchase internet time. Hotspots can make a great wireless option if you are away from home, but they don't always give us the freedom of connecting from other geographic locations, such as your car. That brings us to the next option...
It is possible to use your wireless mobile phone as a modem. Although this method can also be used with desktop computers, we are interested in using it with our laptop so we can have internet at any location. If your cellphone has GPRS or 3G signal you are within a geographic zone that has internet available. Most modern mobile phones will have this option. The best way to do this is to use the data cable that came with your phone. Some manufacturers do not include this cable and you will have to purchase it separately. You can also connect via Bluetooth if your phone and notebook support it. You will then need to install the software that came with your phone. If you did not get any software you will be able to download it from the manufacturers website. The software will (in most cases) allow you to setup an internet connection using your phone as a modem.
The next method we will discuss if very similar to wireless hotspots... in fact in essence it is the exact same principal. This will involve using a wireless router or access point. If you have a cable or ADSL connection at home, you will have a fast internet connection readily available. The idea here would be connect to your router via your wireless network card, and make use of its internet shared connection. The drawback here of course is that the moment you leave the coverage zone of your hotspot, you also leave your internet connection. The major advantage, however, is you can be guaranteed a very fast and reliable internet connection.
That brings us to the final method which is probably also the most costly. This will involve purchasing a 3G or HSDPA adaptor for your laptop. This will skip the step of you using your mobile as a modem, and allow you to dial in to your cellular network very easily and from any location. Bandwidth can be purchased from any WISP (wireless internet service provider). You will need a PCMCIA or USB device. PCMCIA 3G cards are usually the most cost effective device. When signing up with a WISP, they will tell you exactly which hardware you will need to access their service. Wireless internet for laptops can be extremely handy, so get yourself setup straight away.
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