Wireless internet on my laptop

[JTG51]

It wasn't very long ago that I thought I knew a fair about about computers, but I'm behind the times on wireless stuff.

I just got a laptop. It came with a Dell Wireless 1450 Dual and 802.11 a/b/g internal wireless card.

I'm OK with the wireless home network stuff. That's working just fine. But what about using the internet outside of my house? Would I need another card to use, for example T-Mobile's service, or am I all set in the hardware department?

Also, who else besides T-Mobile offers wireless service? And how good is the service generally?

I wouldn't use it often so I may never even sign up, but are there any other details I would need to think about before I did?

Thanks!

[IggyWH]

[ QUOTE ]
It wasn't very long ago that I thought I knew a fair about about computers, but I'm behind the times on wireless stuff.

I just got a laptop. It came with a Dell Wireless 1450 Dual and 802.11 a/b/g internal wireless card.

I'm OK with the wireless home network stuff. That's working just fine. But what about using the internet outside of my house? Would I need another card to use, for example T-Mobile's service, or am I all set in the hardware department?

Also, who else besides T-Mobile offers wireless service? And how good is the service generally?

I wouldn't use it often so I may never even sign up, but are there any other details I would need to think about before I did?

Thanks!

[/ QUOTE ]

You would still need a ethernet connection (by wire) when you're outside of home unless the place you go to has wireless internet also.

As far as phone services, I know Verizon offers it also. I'm not sure how much it costs. When they first started it though it was free (only used your monthly limit minutes) and it got some pretty damn nice speeds.

[JTG51]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It wasn't very long ago that I thought I knew a fair about about computers, but I'm behind the times on wireless stuff.

I just got a laptop. It came with a Dell Wireless 1450 Dual and 802.11 a/b/g internal wireless card.

I'm OK with the wireless home network stuff. That's working just fine. But what about using the internet outside of my house? Would I need another card to use, for example T-Mobile's service, or am I all set in the hardware department?

Also, who else besides T-Mobile offers wireless service? And how good is the service generally?

I wouldn't use it often so I may never even sign up, but are there any other details I would need to think about before I did?

Thanks!

[/ QUOTE ]

You would still need a ethernet connection (by wire) when you're outside of home unless the place you go to has wireless internet also.

As far as phone services, I know Verizon offers it also. I'm not sure how much it costs. When they first started it though it was free (only used your monthly limit minutes) and it got some pretty damn nice speeds.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not talking about internet on my phone. Doesn't T-Mobile offer wireless internet for laptops that can be accessed anywhere that you can use a cell phone? I may have misunderstood, but I'm pretty sure that's the case.

[D. Andrew]

You have to get a seperate card that goes in the PCMCIA slot in the laptop.

I know that Cingular and Verizon both have services. Unlimited usage is $80/month.

Also, sometimes the details of their service can only be found in the business sections of the sites.

[JTG51]

You have to get a seperate card that goes in the PCMCIA slot in the laptop.

I was hoping you wouldn't say that.

...$80/month

Or that.

Thanks for the help anyway.

[PhatCasino]

if you have verizon theres a way to connect via usb using your cellphone as the modem....... its free, check google/fatwallet for more info "verizon broadband"... just enough wireless network bandwidth to easily play poker at any site

[Freakin]

Ok, here's some real information. There are two options for wireless networking. The first is 802.11, the same as used in a home networking. Your laptop already supports this. Any internet cafe or starbucks will have this kind of service usually. For starbucks wireless, you have to pay a monthly fee, like $30 i believe. With this kind of wireless service, you are limited to "hotspots." Hotspots are just that: certain spots where the wireless access point covers. Internet on these kinds of hotspots is generally provided by a DSL or Cable or T1 connection so they are high speed. A search on 80211 hotspots can show you either free or pay hotspots in your area.

The other alternative is cellular service. The "high-speed" service offered now by companies like ATT and Cingular (in some markets) is called 3g (for 3rd generation). It is not *that* high speed, and it's insanely expensive (like $80 per month). AND, you have to buy a new phone for it (like 2-300). Oh, and that $80 does not include any voice calls either. This is new technology for the US (w/n the last year or so) so it is outrageously expensive.

At this point I would go for the wireless hotspots. They are not too hard to find (in the seattle area at least) and are usually high speed, and often free (unless it's at a place like starbucks).

Freakin

[IggyWH]

[ QUOTE ]
if you have verizon theres a way to connect via usb using your cellphone as the modem....... its free, check google/fatwallet for more info "verizon broadband"... just enough wireless network bandwidth to easily play poker at any site

[/ QUOTE ]

This is what I was referring to in my post. It seems like Verizon can't make up its mind whether or not to charge for it. Right now it is free again and only takes up normal airtime minutes. It has normal listed speeds of 60-80 kbps and up to 144 kbps. Not exactly downloading movie speed but for poker it is quite fine.

[BusterStacks]

T-mobile has a plan for unlimited internet. Hands down the way to go. It's like < 30$.

[Blarg]

You can get unlimited usage from places like T-Mobile for usually somewhere around $30 a month. Quite a few people are competing for this kind of thing now. There's another service called Boingo, and Concentric and AT&T are hot for your money too. Lots of people are. Try www.jiwire.com for a list of hotspots and links to wireless sites.