Laptops and mobile cards

[ratboy]

Anyone know the best way to have a laptop that can connect to the web anywhere in the world. i.e. from the middle of a quarry in scotland to Canada.

 

[scooter]

I think the only thing out there for 100% guaranteed connection from anywhere in the world would be via satellite phone.

Hope you've got deep pockets
http://www.satphone.co.uk/

.

 

[retired_member3]

Where are you planning on going? Manchester?

 

[mat]

how about underwater laptops for on holiday? Also important that sand doesnt get in the screen like the old gameboys.

Fast connection needed upto 100 meters.

 

[accelerator]

For anywhere in the world you would need satellite broadband, but you might be surprised how extensive mobile broadband networks are now, see:

http://www.bestmobilebroadband.co.uk/uk-mobile-broadband-abroad.aspx

Rgds

Accelerator

 

[ratboy]

Where are you planning on going? Manchester?

where the hell is that?

OK, so would it work out cheaper to use a mobile card or something? Bit confused here...

 

[esrun]

I like the 3g datacard from three.co.uk. It's great because you can also use your inclusive download limit in other countries which 3 are running their network. If they don't have a network there then you can jump onto another courier like if you were doing roaming phone calls.

three is one of the cheapest 3g providers and are teaming up with tmobile very shortly to share towers to increase coverage for both networks

 

[rob]

Unlocked phone that can act as a GPRS / 3G / 3.5G modem via cable / bluetooth would be one way.

It depends where you are going, how many different places, and budget

 

[paulc]

Someone mentioned to me about a dongle device - would one of these suffice?

 

[retired_member3]

It all depends where your planning to go? The USB modems that 3G and TMOBILE are plugging at present are great but obviously will only cover what the mobile network covers. Not sure about overseas coverage and charges for them.

If you just want something for UK then I would recommend the above or a 3g data card from the likes of vodafone etc...

My dilemma is what to plug the modem into. Still pondering an asus eee but know as soon as i buy it something better will come along!

 

[rob]

Also be very very wary of UK based contracts on overseas networks - data use can be insanely priced.

13 meg cost me £400 on Orange.

Moved to Vodafone as Orange are fine if you argue the toss, but it just gets boring / waste of time. I dont reccomend them!

 

[Admin]

Also be very very wary of UK based contracts on overseas networks - data use can be insanely priced.

13 meg cost me £400 on Orange.

Moved to Vodafone as Orange are fine if you argue the toss, but it just gets boring / waste of time. I dont reccomend them!

I've had this too with Vodafone, £200 for 8MB whilst in Germany

 

[ratboy]

That is mad. Had a look at the three product, makes sense if you are only using it to download plain text emails and simple web, but like you guys say start being clever and it'll cost a bomb.

Newbie question... if i had a wifi laptop would this work in a coffee shop with wifi in Canada?

 

[esrun]

That is mad. Had a look at the three product, makes sense if you are only using it to download plain text emails and simple web, but like you guys say start being clever and it'll cost a bomb.

Newbie question... if i had a wifi laptop would this work in a coffee shop with wifi in Canada?

Yeah it would work fine. Alot of places in the U.S give free wifi, for example in starbucks.

I have the dongle from 3 and it's perfect for UK and like I said they do operate in other countries at no extra charge (limited) so check that out and see where you think you might be going..

 

[accelerator]

Newbie question... if i had a wifi laptop would this work in a coffee shop with wifi in Canada?

In my opinion, yes, because they use the same wireless networking standards as us so I see no reason why it shouldn't work.

Did you have a look at my table for using UK mobile broadband services abroad? It's at:

http://www.bestmobilebroadband.co.uk/uk-mobile-broadband-abroad.aspx

See also mobile broadband FAQ for info on using mobile broadband abroad at:

http://www.bestmobilebroadband.co.uk/default.aspx#mobilebroadbandfaq

Rgds

Accelerator

 

[ratboy]

Cool think thats the best option. Canada is skiing so there will be wifi cafes aplenty. France is a rally so will be out in the sticks... might have to take that on the chin!

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[cvs]

OK, so would it work out cheaper to use a mobile card or something? Bit confused here...

Use a 3g Datacard and buy a prepaid/payg sim when you arrive at the airport. When I was in Italy last year I bought a TIM sim for 5 euros, added the Maxxi TIM Web Time for an extra 25 euros, giving me a 9GB data for 30 days. Have a look here

 

[Whois-Search]

Three Plug and Play broadband:

http://www.three.co.uk/personal/products_services_/mobile_broadband_/rollout_map.omp

http://www.three.com.au/cs/ContentS...ageTemplate&p=1154931041257&cid=1155054450837