Connectivity on the move
It probably seems a bit unbelievable to readers that for someone who runs a few websites and who likes handmade sites as far as poss, that I didn’t even know what a dongle was until some weeks back when I asked a girl on the train.
All of you out there seem to be using all this connectivity, using kindles, blackberries or whatever they’re called, bluetooth and so on – I know nothing of these things or didn’t until recently. Hell I even have trouble topping up my mobile using a voucher [stop sniggering back there]. I simply write and blog, using a graphics programme GIMP and that’s all I need – no gaming, no films required, nothing complex, no more than one or max two apps at a time. Once an hour, a computer lady tells me what time it is.
Technical competence is not linear – a person can have appalling knowledge gaps and still know a few high end things. Thus I’m throwing myself on your mercy, dear readers and asking for advice. Now I’ve just spent hours going into netbooks/laptops/wifi/dongle, I took a test of usage to determine what was needed, read best buys, read best models and so on.
It’s still not clear how this can be done. The issue for me is this:
I could be travelling a fair bit soon, mainly between the UK and France and the trusty Macbook Pro17 would go with me although it’s seen better days, the battery is twisted and hanging out, it needs a keyboard [the Apple keyboard is better anyway] but the system works fine and for my needs which do not include computing on the run or 24/7 access to the net, it will be sufficient.
The immediate downside is an almost non-existent battery life, recharging issues and portability. The test I took said I should have an ASUS eee 1025C or similar, with new graphics resolution. The MBP17, therefore, is really only for info storage and used when settled in one place for over a day and for most of the time swathed in bubblewrap and stored away.
The USB keyboard I presume can be used on anything, hopefully on a netbook too via a port and so, on a tabletop, it becomes easier to type.
Needed:
# Word processing. That’s the big one, from blogposts to articles to novels. No need for net access during this time.
# Browsing. To write the articles, I’d have some key things to look for that day written down, I’d switch on the connectivity and find the info I needed, go into Google and search images etc. – what is needed for blogging.
# General browsing for solutions to problems, even best buys that day.
Not needed:
# Films, games, anything drawing huge power.
# Large screen.
That’s about it.
Dongles and Wifi
I’ve finally got the hang of the idea that a Wifi card or whatever is inside the computer now. I have a BT line and router, with HomeHub at the end of it which gives out Wifi. That’s fine for here at home and I do understand the principle of internet cafes, pubs etc. and latching onto Wifi there in towns but I’ll not always be in towns for long periods of time.
That’s why I was looking at dongles but it’s a minefield. One article said don’t go for proprietor brands, someone mentioned the problem in France and elsewhere if I have a UK provider etc. Someone said don’t touch Vodaphone.
So this vague idea is forming in the brain of having the MBP17 as my storage and maybe the really big writing [like novels], whilst a supplementary device for on the move browsing is used – you know – dangers ahead, costs, prices, weather, news.
I was talking to the Apple man about MB Air but for what it is, it’s very expensive. Maybe later. So I looked at best netbooks and ASUS came out on top but severe criticism of the keyboard. ACER and HP looked all right on the specs but the ASUS had genuine time on battery of between 8 and 12 hours, depending. That would be fine with me.
The issue then is coming into a town and finding somewhere to recharge. So that’s hours, isn’t it? I’d imagine a cafe or bar is the answer there, paying for their wares.
………..
Anyway, if you’ve any advice you could mete out to me on such things, it would be most appreciated. If you’d prefer not to say here, just email me.
Filed under: Blogging, Leisure, travel & sport
I haven’t used one either, but I assume you are meaning one using the mobile 3G mobile phone network, to give you access when there is no WiFi nearby?
The thing to be VERY wary of is “roaming charges” – this when you use a UK network overseas. It leads to horrendous bills, as regular sob stories in the press will confirm. There are websites which specialise in supplying cards for use in other countries, where you are effectively just another local, and pay domestic charges. There is nothing to stop you buying one when you get to your destination though. The data limits are usually fairly limited, so be careful what you get up to. Don’t go downloading software updates, and disable image loading in the browser.
The other thing to consider when “out & about” is battery life. Manufacturers claims are not that reliable, like car fuel consumption figures. Make a habit of turning off anything you don’t actually need – this will include either the onboard wireless card, or a USB dongle. Just enable when you need internet access, then turn off. With a Windows machine there are always background services running which don’t need to be, and these also use CPU power and RAM, which tend to be on the small side with portable netbooks. Even reducing the screen brightness will help. If you want to use an external keyboard & mouse then go for wired examples, rather than Bluetooth – again less power consumption, and less hassle as well!
I’ sure I can think of more, but I’m typing this on a borrowed iPad, and don’t want to push my luck!
James, as you know I live over here in France and see many people from the UK having problems trying to get on to the net.
First WiFi is good when you can find it, in most McDonalds outlets – it’s even getting out into small country towns and some villages.
Second, do NOT get a 3g dongle from a UK provider – it will cost a fortune trying to connect from here. If you need that type of connectivity just get one from a local Orange shop or SFR shop over here – you can pay by the day, week or month.
The ASUS is one of the better netbooks – I have a couple of friends that that got one just to use over here.
If you want more info just e-mail me
My wife uses an Asus notebook, I am happy using my Nexus 7 for most purposes. It will take a keyboard and mouse if needed.
What would be best for you I don’t know; Europe is different from here in the states.
Thanks for those. This is coming together now. The idea of buying when I get to a country seems good. UK dongle for in the UK too. Yes it’s for between Wifi hotspots.
From the reports, ASUS seem to have good battery life, more than enough for a day’s usage but I read that they take five hours to recharge.
James, don’t worry about the charge time that can happen overnight.
For the dongle you have two choices, either the USB Huawei E3131 or the WiFi Huaewi E5332. Both are available in the UK. The thing to do is get the unlocked version of which one you decide (recommend the E5332 because it does not require drivers), then all you need is a sim card for which ever country you are in.
You are somewhat an International Man of Mystery, James. At the end of last week suffering under the cosh of government and utilities and with all about to come crashing down on you (I paraphrase, gleaning what I can from the very few clues given), then this week planning a life of regularly moving back and forth between UK and France and desperately seeking a Dongle… Are last week’s and this week’s issues connected?
I am wondering if this [plot is a mix of clues and red herrings, but it is interesting.
Another tip has come to mind – if your chosen Dongle & SIM card don’t have any form of traffic monitor, there are free programmes available which can do the job. If you know what your daily/weekly/monthly limit is, these will help you stay within it, and avoid hefty excess charges. I have used this one in the past: http://www.rokario.com/ – it’s suitable for XP/Vista/Win7
It wouldn’t do any harm to run something like it before you go on your travels, to get an idea of how much bandwidth you actually use. Simple text won’t be a problem (unless you do a LOT of it!), but images will be, especially if they are of large dimensions and file size. If you need to upload pictures to a web page, first use a re-sizing programme to make them smaller – MS did a simple one which integrates into Windows XP, and is accessible from the right click context menu. It’s not available any more, although I still have the installation file, which I can send you. A quick search found this modern replacement: http://www.iwesoft.com/product/34/image-resizer
If I were making the decision James, I’d avoid Netbooks and Ultrabooks like the plague.
Similarly, there has been a big price shakeout in the notebook/laptop market. The entry level units are made to a price, NOT a spec or quality level. You battle to get anything reliable or usable under about 300 quid.
(Hint, we’ve just been through this exercise. 5 different brand new laptops later, each incrementally more expensive than the last, my daughter finally has a Samsung that is actually usable.)
I would be tempted to consider a Nexus 7 or 10 tablet with a Bluetooth fullsize keyboard, mouse and a screen stand.
That would however require you to plane for wifi access rather than a 3g or 4g dongle. i.e. Hotel, Coffee Shop or Bookshop access, or an Openzone international contract or something similar.
For now I don’t need to get a Netbook – it was an ancillary and the current laptop with Wifi works. Dongle between towns though does seem the go.
This is invaluable advice above, thanks and yes, I’ll be having trial runs not just on this aspect which I’ve gone public on.
DQS – be careful, laddie or I might end up visiting you!
If you are in the area I will gladly meet up for a pint (or a latte) and to take an admiring look at your Dongle.
Actually “visiting” me however, would require you to negotiate the anti-personnel mines, pagan runes and platoon of She-Devils that are used to protect my privacy.
And privacy is everything …
The drones could find me very easily with a bit of investigation of the photos on my blog… which is why I actually stay in a bunker reached by a long tunnel with ten feet of lead around me just in case the runes and the mines and the She-Devils are insufficient.
But you’d be made very welcome in the locality of course, although the She-Devils may water-board you just for the fun of it. Most people do survive a drink with me, albeit mentally scarred for life. Just ask “Calum Carr”.
Now you have me intrigued.
I’ve got a 5G notebook which I love. I try to stay away from 3G due to connectivity issues. I would personally stay away from Windows 8 too until they work out all of the bugs. One really cool website for bluetooth devices is http://www.fommy.com. I picked up a headset there which connects to my laptop wirelessly which is great if one wants to talk while moving about the room while multitasking.
Good luck.
Are you from the future Shelly? the 5G standard has not been formally accepted yet and 4G has only very patchy coverage in the UK and Europe at the moment, in fact it is unheard of in rural France.
I guess the future is lucky.