| # | Author | Message |
1
| amazedncal2
Wed 5/14/2008 9:04p | Hi, Just wondering if any of you have experience with wireless internet service for a laptop/notebook. Something that can be used anywhere. When we travel(which we are doing more often) we end up paying a huge fee at check out or we end up spending way too much time being able to get a connection. The service would be something like the internet service we have for our cell phone right? Am I nuts? Well, maybe don't answer that one :)
DH usually does some office work online so I'm thinking I might surprise him with this. Our cell phone service is
Verizon, our internet service at the office is AT&T and our home internet is Comcast. Thoughts? |
2
| peeaanuut
Thu 5/15/2008 6:27a | a quick look at verizons website and they have a few devices. It depends on what you have available on the laptop. Usually one of the USB devices works. Through Verizon your best bet is something that is REV A compatible so that you can get the higher speeds. They have devices that start at $50 with a 2 year contract and free after rebate all the way up to $199 with a 2 year and $149 after rebate.
It also looks like they offer 2 plans. 50mb a month for $39.99 or 5 GB for $59.99. Both have a per MB charge if you go over your allowance. I would choose the larger package but thats just me. lol
Go to the verizon wireless website and choose broadband and go from there. Remember, REV A devices get you faster speeds but are more expensive.
Good luck!!! |
3
| X-san
Thu 5/15/2008 6:32a | Peeaanuut, have you ever considered starting up a website to help technophobes (such as myself lol)?
You seem to have a broad range of knowledge about all this stuff, as well as an ability to explain the basics all the way up to the high-end details. |
4
| amazedncal2
Thu 5/15/2008 7:15a | peeaanuut, thank you! I am a technophone (love that X-san)and was unsure how or whether I should post my rambling question.
You not only answered my question with great detail and advice, you also didn't make me feel like an idiot :) |
5
| peeaanuut
Thu 5/15/2008 8:09a | <<Peeaanuut, have you ever considered starting up a website to help technophobes (such as myself lol)?>>
I have thought about it. It would probably be a blog style where people send in their questions and I try to answer them. The problem is that there is so much my way is better on the internet that it gets frustrating at times.
In this case I would probably been flamed because someone things AT&T is better than Verizon or whatever. But I figured I would tell you about Verizon because that is who you said you already have.
I hope it helps. let us know what way you go and if it ended up working to fit your needs. =) |
6
| amazedncal2
Thu 5/15/2008 5:34p | Hi, The Verizon website wasn't recognizing our home address or office as a valid address >: so I swung by our fav. Verizon store while I was out running errands. Super nice guy talked me through the rest of my lameo questions. I'm bringing him the laptop tomorrow and he is going to install the software and get it all set up. 3 weeks early for DH's birthday but I think I'll just surprise him with it tomorrow. YAY! I thinking we also need cake :) |
7
| ecdc
Fri 5/16/2008 12:02a | amazedncal2, I think you'll like the Verizon service. My only advice would be to really *really* monitor your usage. Cell phone companies have found that data brings in huge revenue, but it's also a giant drain on their networks, so they've struggled with how to make it work. peeaanuut is exactly right; Verizon chargs .49 cents for every megabyte you go over 5 gigabytes per month. That's over $500.00 for one gigabyte of overages.
You can easily monitor your data usage at www.verizonwireless.com or directly from your computer if you have the latest software version. |
8
| amazedncal2
Fri 5/16/2008 8:11a | Thank you ecdc! The Verizon guy suggested that I sign up for the bigger plan because the overage charges were $.99 a minute! I wasn't sure what to do, not sure of how much we will be using, not sure if he was scamming me (although he said we could always downgrade). Your advice is super helpful, I'll go for the 5GB plan for now :) |
9
| amazedncal2
Fri 5/16/2008 8:14a | Wait, maybe he said .99 a gigabyte and I just didn't know what he was talking about.
I was glad that he said it can be used with other laptops, who knew? He said not to use it for downloads or things like itunes if it's not necessary. I think this is all working out :) |
10
| peeaanuut
Fri 5/16/2008 12:08p | 99 cents a meg was right. its rediculous. its 49 cents a meg on the larger package.
And I agree, media usage will chew up your bandwidth like nothing else. No itunes, no utube, no streaming media if you can avoid it. |
