Questionfor Laptop folks.....

[General Lee 01]

Been thinking of getting a Laptop for when I'm on the road and I would like to know something.

 

I know for regular computers you have to use a phone line, or DSL Broadband cable (However that works).

 

But how do you get internet access on a Laptop?   ???  Do you use cell phones or what?

[Import Hater]

I use a laptop.  Internet access is the same way.  There are modems built in.  Ethernet sometimes built in for broadband hookups also.  But if you're looking for the wireless approach, there's cellular modems, Ricochet, and probably some other gee-whiz technology I don't know about.

 

Rob

[LarryE]

it's way to costly still to use your cellphone to reach an isp

 

I use data ports in hotels when I'm on vacation, or use my uncles bellsouth dialup that has nationwide numbers.

 

 

802.11G is the new wave in wireless not only is it more powerful, it adds encryption which 802.11B lacked.

[sierra1]

I do ISP tech support

 

Make sure your laptop has a built in modem, not a modem on a card that plugs in, they DON'T work as well, regardless of what the sales people might tell you.  Some modems, in laptops and desktops are "touchier" than others.  The touchy ones have problems sometimes staying on line.  They are very sensitive to static and any other noise on the line.  Right now Compaq is the number one brand of "problem" machines out there right now, and not just for modems, they aren't the best around.  Gateway has really gone down the tubes lately too.  E-Machines are on our "list" too.  HP's are usually ok, Dell is the best, period, but they have problems sometimes too.

 

These are the ones to NEVER get.  Anything that has the words/letters in it:

 

HSP Micromodem, the worst of the worst If you see HSP, Flee!

Don't expect to get connected at all, or for very long if you do somehow wind up with an HSP.  Ask before you buy..

Aztec or Aztek. Out of business, supposedly, but we get calls from people who bought new PCs with this piece of crap all the time.

Phobe.  Bad name, bad modem

 

 

Ones that are "touchy", but work ok eventually:

 

Conexant (most modems are made with their chips)

LT or Lucent winmodem.

 

Most of the ones that are on laptops are ok, and usually you cant change or upgrade tham easily anyway, so choose wisely.  For the most part, the maker will put the cheapest modem possible in a machine if the can.

 

Good Luck

[sincityZ71]

I have a Dell laptop and it has both a built-in 56K modem and an ethernet card.  I have a cable modem so I use the ethernet card all the time to get online.  I use the data port at places when I go elsewhere to get online if needed.

[cdnav8r]

I have a Dell laptop and it has both a built-in 56K modem and an ethernet card.  I have a cable modem so I use the ethernet card all the time to get online.  I use the data port at places when I go elsewhere to get online if needed.

dell inspiron 8000?

[gandolphxx]

Make sure you have both a modem and ethernet port - many hotels are adding high speed service as an ammenity.

[Josh]

The best thing to do is to have a modem with your laptop, then have a rj-45 ethernet jack thingy so you can hook it up to the network.  Then if you want to, it is possible to set up a network at home and sahre your internet to it over a network.  Thats only worth it if you have cable or something.  Although, if youg o to hotels they have ethernet internet hookups that work really really good.

[RyanbabZ71]

i have a dell inspiron 2500 (currently dell has it and it is being fixed?

 

Has built in ethernet and phone jack.

 

My old gateway used a card as the modem/ethernet.  Never had any problems with either