3g for Apple products

[Shep]

I'm still umming and erring about what computer to buy for my home (read as boat ie mobile) use. I'm going to try Apple kit for a change.

A mac book pro seems very nice with a big screen and apparantly fast (ish) speeds, however an Imac could be purchased offering a faster speed and a bigger screen for the equivalent cost.

I don't 'need' a laptop so the IMac looks attractive BUT i will need to access t'internet via a 3G modem/dongle/whatever and I was wondering if the IMac has all the neccessary kit inside (or indeed outside) for 3G connection, I'm assuming the Mac Book Pro has the nessessary kit already due to its mobile nature.

Shep

 

[Loiq]

should be fine the USB dongle will stuff in the back, the network ocnnection process will work out it's a dial up thing....the dongle will unload it's bit of software... and bish bash bosh your in like flynn...



subject to getting a signal.....

 

[Buz]

should be fine the USB dongle will stuff in the back, the network ocnnection process will work out it's a dial up thing....the dongle will unload it's bit of software... and bish bash bosh your in like flynn...



subject to getting a signal.....

+1
You need to choose a Service Provider (SP) that A) has good coverage for where you will be (hard to work out on a boat) B) the best tariff you can get ie xGB for £y/month

Most SP's have a web page you can check 3G coverage for post code areas

 

[Shep]

Cheers

The last time I used 3G it used another port (not usb) so I was a little concerened

I also paid £25 per mth for 50 MB I'd guess that things have got more competative since then.

Shep

 

[Loiq]

I think my Vodafone key is £12 a month unlimted, but we use Vodafone at with work so get a better deal I guess

 

[judge]

Don't overlook 3 Network's MiFi - its mobile broadband but instead of a USB connection it is its own Wireless hotspot allowing the connection of up to 5 devices wirelessly. Handy if you have more than one device as I tend to.

3 Network also just happen to have the best 3G coverage of all the network providers oh and the most competitive High Street prices for domestic services. And in comparion to the o2 dongle I have just dispensed with its laughable how many times the o2 struggled to maintain any sort of usable signal when the 3 Network is sitting there with a very usable 3G service.

I bought mine for £40 and pay £15 per month for 5GB of data per month on a monthly contract. You can select other packages/contract lengths.

On the matter of desktop v laptop, Macbooks are a lot of wonga and the desktops are a much better bang for buck (but lack the portability obviously), I much prefer working in front of my bigger screened iMac than the smaller laptop/netbook so if space allows and portability isn't an issue then I'd go iMac all day long - in fact I did

 

[judge]

I think my Vodafone key is £12 a month unlimted, but we use Vodafone at with work so get a better deal I guess

Definitely a corporate deal as domestic is £25 per month for 5 gig and that's on an 18-24 month contract

 

[Shep]

I'm not that keen on going to Vodaphone again, they were awful last time with very, very, poor customer service and technical backup, and I can remember it being a nightmare to cancel the contract.
Never again

 

[bowser]

have a look at T-Mobile they are quite competitve, some places get to share network with orange, I have an unlimited contract for £6 a month, dont know how unlimited it is but its a pretty quick connection and good coverage most places, I am using it in a samsung net book which has built in sim card slot.

 

[Toad]

have a look at T-Mobile they are quite competitve, some places get to share network with orange, I have an unlimited contract for £6 a month, dont know how unlimited it is but its a pretty quick connection and good coverage most places, I am using it in a samsung net book which has built in sim card slot.

T-Mobile have recently changed their T&Cs to clarify "fair usage" on unlimited which effetively imposes a 500Mb limit.......

 

[shugie]

When you get the Macbook sorted, or whenever you have a computer handy, let me know, and I can come over to you with a 3G router which has an external directional aerial and a Three network SIM in it. Works really well here, and I'll be quite surprised if your proximity to a major trunk road means it won't work for you as well.

I think Three is an excellent network for data, a friend of mine works there and says 95% of their traffic is data not voice. The Myfi is a good idea, but on a boat being able to use an external aerial, especially one you can point at a cell mast, is a major benefit.

 

[Shep]

When you get the Macbook sorted, or whenever you have a computer handy, let me know, and I can come over to you with a 3G router which has an external directional aerial and a Three network SIM in it. Works really well here, and I'll be quite surprised if your proximity to a major trunk road means it won't work for you as well.

I think Three is an excellent network for data, a friend of mine works there and says 95% of their traffic is data not voice. The Myfi is a good idea, but on a boat being able to use an external aerial, especially one you can point at a cell mast, is a major benefit.

That's great Hugh, an external arial was exactly what I had in mind, anything to encourage a better signal, i'm not that keen on a signal amp as i'd guess that if it amplifies the signal it will amplify the dodgy bits along with the good stuff.


Cheers

Shep

 

[Loiq]

what about satilite broad band?

www.ruralbroadband.co.uk/ no idea if theya re any good but came out enar the top of a google search..

we use to have a mobile sat system for in the field stuff, no idea how much it cost.


but it worked

 

[GunZenBomZ]

Got a 3G dongle (three.co.uk), 15gb download per month £21 per month, been with them since the mobile broadband service for nearly 2years.

Buy an ariel extender from this place, the dongles should have a little cover which has gold tiny connector inside.

http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/blog/tag/3g-signal-booster/

 

[Paul90]

I'd recommend a MiFi or 3G router rather than plugging the USB dongle into your computer.

As others have said, it means that you can get a much better signal.
You can connect your phone, iPod, etc, etc.
And the software the USB dongles put on your computer is not good.

A lot of the newer (ie, cheaper) USB dongles don't have the external connectors anymore to plug an antenna in. I have the one 3 are currently supplying but I just use the SIM out of it ;-)

£15 per month for 15GB on a 30 day rolling contract. You just need to know how to ask.

We are in a fixed broadband "Not Spot" so mobile broadband is the only realistic option. Been using it for years.

Paul

 

[llotse]

In Malaysia at the mo on a 3G dongle and MacBook pro. Works perfectly with no need to input any settings as the Mac just seems to work it out. Got 100 days access using the HDSPA or similar and getting speeds of 3.2meg 6km offshore! Pretty good service

 

[geordie458]

Ive been using a 3 MiFi for months now. If you buy it through a cashback site such as Quidco from 3 for £40 on a 1 month rolloing contract you can get £23 back. The tariff is 5gb for £15.99 a month but if you ring them after the first month and negotiate witht hem they will halve that without much effort on yor part. SO in the end the MiFi dongle cost me £17 and im paying £7.50 a month for 5gb data.

 

[shugie]

Ive been using a 3 MiFi for months now. If you buy it through a cashback site such as Quidco from 3 for £40 on a 1 month rolloing contract you can get £23 back. The tariff is 5gb for £15.99 a month but if you ring them after the first month and negotiate witht hem they will halve that without much effort on yor part. SO in the end the MiFi dongle cost me £17 and im paying £7.50 a month for 5gb data.

That's cheaper than quite a lot of fixed broadband, wonder if Three are going to start getting network capacity problems? Rumour has it that there are quite a few restrictions on "content" with mobile networks, possibly such as sites featuring ladies with few or less clothes on.

 

[geordie458]

That's cheaper than quite a lot of fixed broadband, wonder if Three are going to start getting network capacity problems? Rumour has it that there are quite a few restrictions on "content" with mobile networks, possibly such as sites featuring ladies with few or less clothes on.

Been fine so far. As for the "content", I couldnt possibly comment apart from saying I dont think im being filtered

 

[Pukmeister]

http://www.three.co.uk/Mobile_Broadband/iPad

Its an option Shep ?

http://ask3.three.co.uk/SRVS/CGI-BIN/webisapi.dll/,/?New,Kb=MBB,TS=MBB,varset_USERNAME=MBB:mbbUser