I am still slightly perplexed with the issue concerning wi-fi connectivity, the mobile broadband and netbook computers.
It is a complex matter, for me at least. I can imagine how many inexperienced - or naive - people are sold laptops only to discover that getting mobile broadband is not quite as straightforward as they thought!
Indeed, it is true that I could get mobile broadband via BT's Openzone hot-spots. I have Option One, so I believe I am entitled to 250 free wi-fi minutes per month.
However, in order to enable mobile broadband outside these hot-spots I'd need to buy a dongle. These are small, marker-pen sized modem-type contraptions sold by the big mobile phone companies. According to OFCOM's 3g coverage map, the Three Company has currently the best coverage in Northern Ireland.
I am loath to become involved with contracts, so a pay-as-you-go dongle from Three would seem the preferred option. The snag, for me, is that their dongles have expiry times of one month or three months with PAYG. Vodafone sell a dongle without this condition; however Vodafone's coverage in the Province for 3g is not brilliant presently. Alan In Belfast posted a good piece about this recently.
Regarding the netbook, I like the little Acer Aspire One in sapphire blue. I could buy a brand new one in white for £150; but the snag is that it a has a Linux operating system. To buy an Acer with Windows would cost a lot more, perhaps £70 more! The Three Company states that their dongles operate with Windows or Mac based systems.
A third way for me would be to buy a refurbished netbook, with a warranty, on Ebay; or at my local shop at Belmont. I could buy a Dell Inspiron Mini 9 that way (or an Acer).
Monday, 27 July 2009
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4 comments :
Sorry, Belfast Cabby! It has taken it upon itself to delete your comment! I didn't do it, honest!
Here it is:
belfast cabby has left a new comment on your post "Netbook Dilemma":
You would not need a dongle to connect to bt openzone as they are wifi routers sited in bt callboxes and your net book should have a wifi adapter built in.
You would need a dongle for 3s mobile broadband which connects via the mobile phone network.
I would just stick with the bt free minutes as there callboxes are everywhere.
Posted by belfast cabby to Lord Belmont In Northern Ireland at 27 July 2009 17:32
Tim why don't you keep an eye out on Dell's refurb store - same guarantee as brand new and a lot cheaper. These things are never as complicated as you think... even better get an iPhone.
John, I've just bought a wee Dell Inspiron Mini 9 netbook with Windows XP.
Yet another toy... :-)
Cheers Tim
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