Getting Internet for a laptop

[Suds_Mcduff]

Hey all,

i am not very well versed in computer and assorted paraphanalia so when the girlfriend asked me to arrange an internet hook up for our laptop i was lost straight away. i have done a bit of research and the best i came across was the network 3 wireless modem for $129 with 6GB a month for $39.

my main concerns are whether or not 6GB will be a sufficient amount of internet a month and what is the 3 network like for coverage?

any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

thanks

 

[seanoff]

does it absolutely need to be connected all the time?

ie the 3 mobile one is for laptops that need to be used regardless of location.
like out shopping, or driving or on the beach.

ARE YOU CERTAIN YOU NEED THIS??


if its just for home, then you need to get a wireless router/switch and connect it to your existing connection and off you go. this can be done for less than $100 and costs you no extra over your existing connection.


if you think you need it for uni/school etc, you don't. most have wireless networks you can access, just ask for a login to the network.

 

[thedaz47]

haha funny story about my mate's parents who obviously had more dollars than sense... he had wireless network set up around the house and his stepfather, i believe this is how it went, went into telstra and asked how to get his laptop onto the wireless network they had at home, must have been a salesman's dream cos he came home with the next g wireless only about 2months after it was released. nice and cheap.

but yeh, there are two types of wireless, suppose you could look at them as a cordless home phone or a mobile...

 

[Suds_Mcduff]

does it absolutely need to be connected all the time?

ie the 3 mobile one is for laptops that need to be used regardless of location.
like out shopping, or driving or on the beach.

ARE YOU CERTAIN YOU NEED THIS??


if its just for home, then you need to get a wireless router/switch and connect it to your existing connection and off you go. this can be done for less than $100 and costs you no extra over your existing connection.


if you think you need it for uni/school etc, you don't. most have wireless networks you can access, just ask for a login to the network.

i will only need to use it at home for recreational purposes. wont have a need to take it anywhere else just sit it in the laptop at home.

 

[seanoff]

do you currently have a connection?

if yes

then go here http://www.ht.com.au/N/Networking-Wireless-Networking-54Mbps-G-Wireless-Routers/page/1/list.hts

pick some you like, read up on them, find the best price (often your local computer shop), plug it in to your internet modem and off you go.

 

[Suds_Mcduff]

do you currently have a connection?

if yes

then go here http://www.ht.com.au/N/Networking-Wireless-Networking-54Mbps-G-Wireless-Routers/page/1/list.hts

pick some you like, read up on them, find the best price (often your local computer shop), plug it in to your internet modem and off you go.

all i have at present is a laptop. what i was hoping to get was just one of those ones that plugs into the side of the computer and away i go.

 

[seanoff]

you can get much more data, for not much more and much much less risk.

with the 3g ones you will be charged for each extra mb. if your laptop decides to download a windows update or you download a movie or software.

if you download 10Gbs, you're looking at a $440 bill.


internode have a plan $60, 25GBs at 24mb/s. it will be quicker, safer and more reliable.

 

[twarby]

i made the stupid decision to get one of those 3 modems... you dont want to know what some of the bills have been i have had to pay...i have no land line where i live...what is it i need to get wireless broadband but one of the better deals going around...is a router all i need??? along with a new broadband plan??? or do i need that phone line??

 

[seanoff]

unfortunately it's not magic

you need a landline to connect to the wireless router.

can you get cable, if not the only other option is satellite.

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Edit