Mobile Internet Connection

[Shep]

Hi all

I hope somebody can help

I live on a narrow boat for 85% of the time with no mains power apart from an inverter, no phone connection (only mobile)

I want to buy a laptop for general home/light office work, but also require Internet access as well, what do i need to access the internet from a laptop?

As I still need to purchase a laptop are there any more suited to mobile communication than others?

How do I access my email's etc that I receive at work, on my laptop.

It would be usfull to use the laptop as a dvd/entertainment centre (just so I can further justify the space/cost)

I have loads of questions, but as I need good simple advice that I can trust, I think I'll ask just a few at the moment!

I look forward to some unbiased advice

Regards Shep

 

[Snooky]

Rather than using a mobile phone as a modem you can buy a GPRS/G3 card for your laptop, will need a service provider for this but is a quicker connection than using a mobile and is something my company uses for field engineers as they can get a reasonable signal in most places. But I don't think anyone sells these as standard with the laptop, but may be wrong, I would advise getting a laptop and then buy the additional GPRS/G3
Vodafone do these. All laptops are pretty much the same for mobile communications and most these days also have wireless as standard but won't help you much unless you are close to an access point.
Last I would recommend calling the guys at Axion solutions, see my thread in Discount offers.
Forgot to say these guys are in Reading so not too far from you, assuming your boat hasn't moved from Winchester.

 

[Shep]

Hi Snookie

Thanks for that, the boat is near Newbury at the moment so Reading is quite convenient, I work in Basingstoke so even thats handy!

PS I used to live in Tadley many years back, I still ride through once or twice a month, never know we might bump into each other some time!

Regards Shep

 

[Guess Who]

I believe that O2 now do a card that supports GPRS, 3G and wireless LAN. It all works with a piece of software called Connection Manager.

 

[Snooky]

Shep, guess you're on the Kennet somewhere then, get close enough to Newbury and you'll probaly be able to link into someones wireless connection, most people don't secure them so you can just jump in and use it. My mate has all the open access point in Alton on his GPS so he can get his mails whilst doing his shopping.