Have laptop need wifi?

[gingerK]

Ok all you way smarter than me computer geeks, I got a laptop from Carrie because she got a newer one and no longer needed her old one. At home I don't have wireless internet so what do I need to do or get to make this sucker work? I haven't a clue! I want to take it with me when I go camping but don't want to spend an arm and a leg for Verizon or AT&T. AT&T has a GoPhone wifi thing that I think might be what I'm looking for. I have no idea how much data I'll need; I don't have much on my phone and never use it all or even come close to going over. HELP!

[BirdbyBird]

Sorry, I don't have experience using the data directly from the phone.....I have the MIFI thingy but with the new data plan and all (brought the cost down for me) with the multiple devices and two phones...all the data is in one lump. This will work for me because my husband doesn't travel and uses very limited phone data. Good luck with your research and hope you fine something that will meet your needs and your budget....

[JudyJB]

You can increase the number of gigabytes on your cell phone and use that. The most secure thing is to connect your phone to your laptop with a USB plug. Usually you can use the charger cord by pulling off the plug.

Other options are to go into a McDonald's or other source of free WiFi and use that. Some campgrounds also have free Wifi.

[MelissaD]

I think you have multiple questions.

At home you just need to hook a Ethernet cable between you router and your laptop like you do on your home computer.

While traveling:
-You can use mobile hot spots like McDonalds, campgrounds and other retailers.
-If you are a Comcast customer there is an app that lets you roam on the network of WIFI modems in everyone's homes and businesses.
-If your mobile phone has a WIFI hot spot and available data you can turn on your phones hotspot and link you computer to your phone. You can get the password from the settings section of your phone. This is normally what we do while traveling.
-You can use the cable that came with you phone to charge it if it has a USB connection on the charger end. To physically link your phone to thee laptop. I have only done that to move files.

You will probably have to have someone walk you through it in person the first time to get all the setting correct.

I also have a mini HDMI cable and I stream Netflix from my phone onto the TV in the camper if I want to watch a movie. We use 8-10 GB a month when we are traveling. I have 2 phones (with hotspots) and a tablet sharing a 16 GB a month plan. We only turn on the hot spots when using them.

[avalen]

make sure the laptop is wifi compatible....you should see a little icon that looks like bars down in the tool tray, click on that and if there is wifi in the area it will show you. If they are secured wifi's they will show a little lock and you can't use those without a password. Places like McDonalds, Villiage Inn, now IHOP, Starbucks, Dunkins, otherplaces it will just show up as the name of that place. Those are free and you can tap into those without a password, if they take a password, the clerk will gladly give you the password.
I use my cell phone as a hotspot and on average I use about 5g a month but I have 10 available. I have verizon but I know that info is of no help to you.

[Birdie]

How did Carrie make connectivity? Might be able to have better idea once we get an idea of what the laptop has available to use.

[gingerK]

Carrie has an AT& T bundle that includes wifi. I only have slow DSL for my desktop and I know I can hook into that with a cable but that keeps me at a desktop so negates the portability of the laptop. I guess what I'm asking is what service do I need/should I get for just the laptop to run here at home and also while camping? Portable wifi? I've looked into something called Karma Go also AT&T's Go Phone seems to have a pay as you go wifi option. My phone has a very limited data plan so if I tethered to it I'd blow past the limits pretty quick. Can you tell I'm not very computer savvy? Ideally, I'd like to try to stay away from committing to a contract with the big carriers.

[Acadianmom]

I have DSL at home with a router so I can use my computer and laptop wirelessly. I also have a Verizon tablet with only a 2 GB plan that is $30 a month that I take with me when I travel. I can use the tablet as a hot spot to get internet. I seldom make more than one trip a month so have never gone over. I got close when my grandson was with me so had to make him use the campground wifi. I use the campground's wifi if I can get a signal and they don't make you sign up for some service. Some campgrounds want you to sigh up with their internet service that is usually free for a week but you would have to pay for it if you wanted it longer. I don't go through that.

Martha

[retiredhappy]

If you want wifi while you're at home AND on the road, its going to cost you. I have AT&T phone service AND a mobile hotspot. The hotspot costs an extra $50 a month and we have 10,000 gbs. At home or on the road, I activate the hotspot on my phone and bingo, I'm on the internet. I don't stream movies or play games which eat up a LOT of data. As for using free wifi at McDonalds, etc, I NEVER do any banking, etc on "free" spots. That's where you get hacked and they have all your information in no time. Some hackers can get into your computer if you're just on the free wifi. It just depends on how much you want to use the internet. I do ALL my banking and bill paying on line - so much easier and no paperwork or statements or bills. LOVE IT.

[longdog2]

If I didn't have a DH that didn't travel with me in the RV most of the time, I would probably get a Verizon Jetpack/mifi and use it for home and traveling. If I start spending a lot more time traveling, I will get the Jetpack/mifi anyway but, until then I usuyally use park or other free Internet service.

Karen is absolutely right about games and streaming movies....stay away or you will suck down a lot of data. Also watch out for huge downloads as they will also suck data.

[havingfunnow]

If you already have DSL at home, you will need a router so that the signal can be used for both wifi and wired access. There are lots of brands available, but check with your DSL provider first. Sometimes they require their own routers, and they usually can advise you about any compatibility issues. Also, check to make sure your laptop has wifi capabilities. If it doesn't (like my very old laptop, which seems to have broken that function) you can buy a USB stick designed for that. You'd have to install a little software on the laptop.

Traveling is more complicated, because your sources for internet access vary so much.

There are many sources of free wifi -- McDonald's and other businesses, public libraries, sometimes campgrounds, and so on. You only have to be within reach of their signal; some people use a booster device so they can get the signal from further away. Sometimes you have to go through an odd series of entry screens or use a password. Usually these are unsecured networks, as Karen says.

You can also get internet access over the phone. Probably the quickest way is to physically connect your phone to your laptop with a USB cord. Some people install an ap on their phone that lets them use it as a wifi hotspot. You can use this in any place that you can use a data application on your phone; coverage depends on your service provider and the location of cell towers. Some people use a device to amplify the phone signal so they can be further from cell towers and still get service. Speed will be determined by your phone speed (3G, 4G etc.) I know some phone services have started selling additional data separately from basic phone service.

You can also buy a mifi device that converts cell phone signal to wifi. These can be 3G or 4G; I don't know if there are any that use both. Coverage depends on the provider and cell tower locations. Some providers offer service purchased on a weekly or monthly basis while others do not. It's nice to not pay for a service when you aren't using it, I think.

That's all I know. It seems unnecessarily complicated to me, but then so many things do! Don't be in a rush.

[bluepinecones]

Like you, I already had Internet at home for desk top but when I started using my laptop all I had to do was add a wireless router. My carrier, WOW required use of their modem but had no restriction on the wireless router. With it I can use laptop outside on porches or anywhere in the house. Don't remember what I paid for the router but it was not expensive. Think you will find the home solution to be a simple one.

I do not have a smart phone so for travel I bought an iPad with Verizon card and use it as hot spot for laptop. At the time, Verizon was the only carrier that had a "pay as you go" option with no contract. I can turn it on only when needed and have several levels of data plans from which to choose. When I turn it on it is good for 30 days or until I use up data, whichever happens first. I can also add more data during the 30 days if necessary (so far that has only been one time). I have been pleased with the service.

I do take advantage of free campground Internet when I can and it only requires a simple sign in. However for anything financial or sensitive in any way, I only use my hotspot.
Next time I have to upgrade I will probably get a MiFi jetpack simply because they seem to draw a stronger signal in some places than my iPad. That is from observation with me using iPad hotspot sitting next to Tina or Liz using their MiFi; they almost always had a stronger signal. I have checked and so far there is no booster available for the iPad.

Good luck

[Bethers]

Carrie has an AT& T bundle that includes wifi. I only have slow DSL for my desktop and I know I can hook into that with a cable but that keeps me at a desktop so negates the portability of the laptop. I guess what I'm asking is what service do I need/should I get for just the laptop to run here at home and also while camping? Portable wifi? I've looked into something called Karma Go also AT&T's Go Phone seems to have a pay as you go wifi option. My phone has a very limited data plan so if I tethered to it I'd blow past the limits pretty quick. Can you tell I'm not very computer savvy? Ideally, I'd like to try to stay away from committing to a contract with the big carriers.

If you have a smart phone, I'd look into the cost to change the data plan for one that can tether or be used as a hot spot. That's what I use when I don't have wifi available.

[IrishIroamed]

Can't offer much help for campground wifi, but since you're just a stone's throw from me, here's what I know.

I switched my AT&T DSL to wireless about 2 years ago. Current cost is $57 per month. I can run my laptop, tablet & phone using my wifi at any location in the house or backyard.

Not sure if you have cable, but if yes, check with your carrier. My brother-in-law found out that their box for their cable (AT&T) already had wifi enabled, so all he had to do was call AT&T to find out the password & now is able to use his new laptop & smartphone at home also with no extra fee.

[Getupngo]

Okay with all these technical words flying around, maybe a little primer is in order for me and everyone else. I'm trying to remember what I did when I had DSL from Qwest over a land line. Technologically, this was a loooong time ago -- maybe five digital dog years. All this talk of modems and wifi routers can send a person's head spinning. A couple of definitions are in order:

MODEM: It's that box with flashing lights that connects your computer to your ISP (Internet Service Provider), which typically provides either cable or DSL Internet service. DSL modems have a telephone connector, also called an RJ-11 jack, which plugs into a telephone socket on the wall. (Cable modems have a coaxial -- or "coax" -- connection, which is the same type of connector found on a TV or cable box. This connects to a cable port on the wall.)

INTERNET ROUTER: This is the device that allows several other computers to use the Internet at the same time. A wireless router creates a local wifi signal.

To get a wifi signal with DSL, plug the the modem into the wall telephone socket, then link the modem to the wireless wifi router using an ethernet cable. There was a CD that came with my wifi router and it walked me through the process of setting it up and creating a password. You need a password to provide security so you can do your banking & other confidential stuff on line. It does not make your email secure, however.

Follow the instructions from Avalen on hooking onto a wifi signal. If you need help doing this, ask a nine-year-old (no kidding) for help. BTW, while your ISP probably requires you to rent its modem, you can buy a perfectly fine wireless router at Radio Shack. You don't need to rent theirs.

I gave up my land line in favor of just my cell phone and now I am an untethered American. Before I did this, I would just ask my telephone provider to put my home phone & DSL on vacation hold when I headed out on the road. I have an iPhone and it has a "hotspot" function -- meaning it creates like a little wifi "bubble" around me. (No need for those silly modems or routers.) I use it when I travel, and I have Verizon bump the number of gigabytes of data available to 6 gig per month when I'm on the road. That is just enough to get me by.

I hope this is not only helpful, but correct.