Notebook Wireless ISP Connection?

[Ornery]

Give me a head start here. Been thinking that my next PC might be a notebook. Been thinking it ought to be able to connect to an ISP from in my van while cruising down the highway. Far fetched? Which Notebook gives the best bang for the buck and options available to perform this trick? I assume I'll need some kind of cell service, but I don't even own a cell now! Yep, starting from square one here...

 

[Eli]

I've always dreamed about doing this too..

The day where we can leave our desktops, and be online nomatter where we are...... via laptop.

Am interested in the answers, too.

 

[Ornery]

By the looks of this, it's some kind of big deal just to have a wireless network setup on these things!

As it is, you can use certain PIMs and cell phones to get your email. I thought there must surely be a way to connect to an ISP using your notebook and cell phone by now!

 

[N8Magic]

The technology exists but has yet to be rolled out on a national scale.

I'd have to agree, it would be nice to surf (at up to 2.4Mbps !!) while cruising along on a long road trip.

 

[Ornery]

I'm on to it now. It's called Mobile Internet, and is apparently having a slow start in the States. I'd be happy just to surf at dial-up speeds! Guess I'll hold off on that notebook purchase to we get our sh|t together here. :frown:

 

[aux]

Check GPRS (sometimes called 2.5G); it allows speed up to either 150 or 170k. Works with GSM, which is not very popular system in the USA.
Currently Voicestream, part of Cingular (West Coast), and small part of AT&T networks are GSM. However both Cingular and AT&T are converting to GSM.
GPRS is standard for many European GSM providers.
In USA Voicestream offers something called iStream, which is supposed to be GPRS but seems to have some speed limitations (IIRC they claim up to modem speed).
More info on GPRS here

 

[gopunk]

i too dream of a day when i can do that. imagine, being able to work outside, on a nice sunny day, watching the sororiety chicks pass by.... *sigh*

 

[Ornery]

Do you know how amazed (or dismayed) I am that this is not already VERY common?

Bill Gates & company are blazing the trail to faster satellite communications. Wireless solutions connected to this network are an obvious next step. I figured we'd all be using Dick Tracy type watches in just a few years. By the sound of our current situation, this dream is decades away!

 

[N8Magic]

If you live in Manhattan, Kansas, you can get the 2.4Mbps mobile wireless service. No word on pricing though...

 

[xchangx]

A friend of mine owns a company that is capable of doing this. They're still in the developing stage though, he has a pda with a 802.11b card, and some kind of device that converts the signal broadcasted into 802.11b. He said that their signal is more secure than 802.11, don't remember what it's called.

 

[RossMAN]

What kind of notebooks are you looking at and what's your budget?

 

[Ornery]

I was looking at building a new box based on a P4 1.6A / ASUS P4B533 combo. With a decent case, CDRW etc., the total was near $700.00. I figured a comparable notebook with 15" display would come in at about $1,500.00 after rebates and what not. I guessed Dell or Toshiba would be my likely sources. I'd like to get that wireless connectivity included, but I see there's no such thing to be had! I've also noticed I can get a portable for half that price if I go for a P3 and 14" display.

The fact that I can't connect wirelessly has left a bad taste in my mouth. I'll just build the original desktop box I mentioned and forget the notebook for a year or two. It was just a thought...

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Ornery
I'll just build the original desktop box I mentioned and forget the notebook for a year or two. It was just a thought...

Good idea, money well spent. That's what I would do.

 

[RossMAN]

Although if you do get that itch (which I always seem to scratch) to spend 1,500 big ones I would also consider an IBM ThinkPad laptop.

 

[Ornery]

I've heard the IBMs are the Rolls-Royce of Notebooks... with prices to match! Never thought of checking them out on Ebay. Still too rich for my blood. I do know I'll be looking for an extended warranty with one of those things. I hate the idea of such a fragile, pricey item, that can't be repaired by the user! :Q

 

[Tominator]

I connect via my Sprint phone and laptop on a regular basis. It is at 14.4 and Blue Kite gets it to about 28.8. For the next several months that is as good as it gets.

 

[Ornery]

Thanks Tom, that's what I was looking for!

Connect your wireless Internet ready Sprint PCS Phone to your laptop PC...

That means if I do get some kind of cell phone and service, I should get one that's capable of connecting to the Notebook. I wasn't sure if the notebook would need a special modem or what. I expect these to become more common and cheaper in the near future... at least I HOPE so!

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Ornery
I've heard the IBMs are the Rolls-Royce of Notebooks... with prices to match! Never thought of checking them out on Ebay. Still too rich for my blood. I do know I'll be looking for an extended warranty with one of those things. I hate the idea of such a fragile, pricey item, that can't be repaired by the user! :Q

If you're concerned about warranty I'd definitely get a "DUDE YOU GOT A DELL!" with a 3 or 4 year warranty.

 

[Tominator]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Thanks Tom, that's what I was looking for!

Connect your wireless Internet ready Sprint PCS Phone to your laptop PC...

That means if I do get some kind of cell phone and service, I should get one that's capable of connecting to the Notebook. I wasn't sure if the notebook would need a special modem or what. I expect these to become more common and cheaper in the near future... at least I HOPE so!

With Sprint and Verizon the phone acts as the modem. I used my Kyocera 2035a and one of the reasons I bought a Kyocera 6035 'Palmphone' was both phones used the same data cable and that saved me from buying another. I paid $50 for the cable but have since found them for about $25.