Laptop addicts / laptop workers: Where do you work and what do you pay for a connection?

[Soul Reputation]

I own a desktop and I'm tired of working at home! Sometimes I need to be in an environment where there are other people around.

So...I'm going to buy my first laptop so I can work and play anywhere I choose.

My initial goal is to spend 3-4 days a week, 3-5 hours a day working at a remote location. I need some ideas: where do you work and play (what's your FAVORITE location/get-away hot spot) and what do you pay each month for a WiFi connection?

I am clueless when it comes to the many different payment plans pertaining to WiFi service. (I don't have a cell phone and I've never owned one though I expect to get one sometime around Christmas time). I know my local library is a free hot spot, and they're on my list of places to go, but I want more options and thus need more ideas.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: Soul Reputation
I own a desktop and I'm tired of working at home! Sometimes I need to be in an environment where there are other people around.

So...I'm going to buy my first laptop so I can work and play anywhere I choose.

My initial goal is to spend 3-4 days a week, 3-5 hours a day working at a remote location. I need some ideas: where do you work and play (what's your FAVORITE location/get-away hot spot) and what do you pay each month for a WiFi connection?

I am clueless when it comes to the many different payment plans pertaining to WiFi service. (I don't have a cell phone and I've never owned one though I expect to get one sometime around Christmas time). I know my local library is a free hot spot, and they're on my list of places to go, but I want more options and thus need more ideas.

start wardriving 😉

starbucks and the like usually have free wifi, same for chain bookstores like B&N. hell, even some fast food places have wifi now. i dont have mobile broadband so i cant comment on that.

however depending on your phone you may be able to tether, else call your local cell companies and get rates for their mobile broadband, id expect at least $40 a month though, and a lot of them limit you to 5gb or something.

 

[alevasseur14]

All the Starbucks I've been to charge for WiFi unless you're an iPhone customer. However, check out almost any independently owned coffee shop and they generally have free WiFi. I'm also a fan of bars with WiFi. Nothing like sipping on a pint and getting a little work done!

 

[kevnich2]

Depending on if you have to pay for service, may be worth it to check out a wireless broadband provider. I have millenicom and they don't require a contract and have no cap limits on theres. I have 2 cards with them and they both work great. You'll get either sprint or verizon depending on which has the best service in your area. I haven't heard too many good things about the verizon broadband but the sprint card from millenicom has been pretty good for me. Just an idea.

 

[alevasseur14]

If you have a jailbroken iPhone you could use iPhoneModem. I've tried it out and it works well. Just another idea.

 

[Gillbot]

Don't do anything illegal like steal WiFi.

Get a data plan and data card from your cell phone provider if you want a solution that can work nearly anywhere. Otherwise, many ISP's have WiFi access all over the country so check your area for those spots or other FREE WiFi hotspots. Just be sure you are safe, most hacking and theft occurs when people use a spoofed "free wifi" hotspot.