How can I use my laptop on the road?

Wayne o · Veteran Member

How can I use my laptop on the road?

Whenarewethere · Guru

If you are not streaming movies or audio, or doing video conferencing etc, you will have enough data on a mobile phone, just use the phone's hotspot.

Corndoggy · Senior Member

Many ways to do it. If you have a mobile phone with a reasonable data amount you can hotspot off your phone and use its data. Would be fine for what you have said your useage would be and would cost you nothing. You could buy a USB modem dongle from many internet providers with a plan using one of the 3 telecommunication companies, dongle could be locked to the one company though, couldn't use an Optus locked one on Telstra for example. Could find one that is not locked though and use it with anyone. Can only use it on the device it is plugged into, just buy a sim card or plan with the one you want. You could buy a mobile modem, a stand alone wifi modem and use it with several devices at the same time. Can buy it from telecommunications stores, retail stores or online, with or without a plan, you can pick your own plan and provider just ensure the modem it isn't locked. More expensive but one of the better options and has more usage options. I've tried park internet, usb internet and now use a mobile modem for internet now, the wife and I use it and I stream media on it as well. I have a data only plan, unused data is banked and renew the plan only when I need it, though it could be a 28 day period. Modem I use is a Netgear M2 .There are more expensive modems out there but I'm more than happy with what I have. Others might think different.

-- Edited by Corndoggy on Saturday 20th of August 2022 06:41:42 PM

Dougwe · Chief one feather

G'day Wayne, I am full time out in the playground and choose to have a WiFi device with small magnetic antenna on roof of teepee. A small bit of tin siliconed on the roof sorts that out. I then link my laptop to that. Bingo! Internet etc. I have a Telstra plan with more than enough data fir my needs. I also match my phone to it when signal is poor and a Smart TV matched to it as well. Works for me.

86GTS · Guru

We use a mobile phone exclusively now but we used to use a HP laptop.
Telstra dongle can be bought at many supermarkets, it comes with a small amount of data but can be recharged with Telstra monthly, or up to a year.
We also have a small magnetic aerial that plugs into the dongle which usually gives an extra bar of reception in more out of the way areas.
It all worked well but we don't use it anymore, old technology.

Whenarewethere · Guru

I'm on Boost prepay 12 month 100gb, Sony Xperia 10iii phone & use my 2009 Mac mini via the phone's hotspot. Sometime I use other half's hotspot.

If you want to experiment a bit just buy a Boost $2 card from Coles etc & do a 28 day prepay $30 40GB, if happy you can recharge on the last day or next morning to in effect get one more day, or maybe go for a 12 month prepay. Test it out & you can see how how much data you are using ( call #111# ) & at worst it's only $30.

You need an unlocked phone. If you have to buy one make sure it has hotspot. If someone else has a mobile ask & I am sure they will let you do a short hotspot test.

TimTim · Guru

Wayne o wrote:
First up, Wifi, Broadband, bluetooth, all this stuff is rocket science to me.
I don't know why but I cannot get my head around it.
I am permanently on the road now but want to take my lap top with me.
Can anyone suggest how best I can use it. Someone suggested a dongle
which apparently attaches to the laptop like a USB stick enabling me to use
the laptop wherever I can receive signal. Does that make sense?
If so, can anyone suggest where I can get one? What do you suggest if you
are in the same boat as me? I don't need much data, I only check news, weather,
emails etc.

Thanks in advance.
Wayne

Hi Wayne,

Ok I can see everyone is trying to help but the detail provided isn?t going to help you judging by what you are saying about your technical knowledge.

Firstly, I assume you have a mobile phone and a computer that has wifi capabilities. When you are out and about provided your mobile phone has a signal you can access the internet for computer using your mobile phone. This is called using your mobile phone as a hotspot which someone has previously mentioned.

You can try this even if you are home and don't be afraid as you are unable to break anything. This is just a general description but if you tell me the make and model of your phone and the Version of Windows that you are running I can give you specific instructions.

On your mobile phone scroll through the icons until you find the cog icon or settings. Then look for things like connections and click that. Then Hotspot and tethering. Tap that and note the name of your of your phone network and password. Then turn it on.

Go to your computer and on the bottom right of your toolbar you will see the the wireless icon like an aerial with a signal coming from it. Click that and it will give a list of all available networks as they are called including your mobile phone. Click the one for your phone and enter the password. You will then be connected to the internet through you phone.

Once you have done that successfully then your computer will connect automatically every time you turn on Hotspot on your phone. So you need to go to settings in your phone as above each time your want to access the internet using your computer.

Feel free to ask any questions and remember the only stupid question is the one you dont ask smile . Any response will be delayed as Im in France at the moment.

PS. You will only need a dongle if you have a very old laptop that does not have wifi capabilities. If it connects to the internet at home then it has wifi.

Tim

-- Edited by TimTim on Sunday 21st of August 2022 08:03:49 AM

Jaahn · Guru

TimTim wrote:
Wayne o wrote:
First up, Wifi, Broadband, bluetooth, all this stuff is rocket science to me.
I don't know why but I cannot get my head around it.
I am permanently on the road now but want to take my lap top with me.
Can anyone suggest how best I can use it. Someone suggested a dongle
which apparently attaches to the laptop like a USB stick enabling me to use
the laptop wherever I can receive signal. Does that make sense?
If so, can anyone suggest where I can get one? What do you suggest if you
are in the same boat as me? I don't need much data, I only check news, weather,
emails etc. Thanks in advance. Wayne
Hi Wayne, Ok I can see everyone is trying to help but the detail provided isn?t going to help you judging by what you are saying about your technical knowledge.
Firstly, I assume you have a mobile phone and a computer that has wifi capabilities. When you are out and about provided your mobile phone has a signal you can access the internet for computer using your mobile phone. This is called using your mobile phone as a hotspot which someone has previously mentioned.
You can try this even if you are home and don't be afraid as you are unable to break anything. This is just a general description but if you tell me the make and model of your phone and the Version of Windows that you are running I can give you specific instructions.
On your mobile phone scroll through the icons until you find the cog icon or settings. Then look for things like connections and click that. Then Hotspot and tethering. Tap that and note the name of your of your phone network and password. Then turn it on.
Go to your computer and on the bottom right of your toolbar you will see the the wireless icon like an aerial with a signal coming from it. Click that and it will give a list of all available networks as they are called including your mobile phone. Click the one for your phone and enter the password. You will then be connected to the internet through you phone.
Once you have done that successfully then your computer will connect automatically every time you turn on Hotspot on your phone. So you need to go to settings in your phone as above each time your want to access the internet using your computer.
Feel free to ask any questions and remember the only stupid question is the one you dont ask . Any response will be delayed as Im in France at the moment.
PS. You will only need a dongle if you have a very old laptop that does not have wifi capabilities. If it connects to the internet at home then it has wifi.
Tim -- Edited by TimTim on Sunday 21st of August 2022 08:03:49 AM

Hi Wayne smile

That is good information so I will not go over it again. I and my wife have used a dongle in the past, but we bought newer phones and just use them instead on their own or as hotspots for the computer. We gave up the NBN at home and use the two phones everywhere since. We get a 360 day cheap phone plan, Aldi or Boost 100-120GB and use that data for what we want. I link my laptop to the phone as a hotspot and do all my emails and forums and pay bills etc. My wife uses her phone on its own now mostly.

If you have trouble following the procedure go to the guys in the phone sales shops and they will usually be happy to show you what to do, and write it down. Not too hard after a couple of goes.

Good luck Jaahn

Onedodger · Guru

Hi Wayne
You must know someone that is a little teck savy, so get them to set your laptop up to your mobile phone and you are off and running.
If no mobile phone visit a Telstra shop and inquire about a prepaid dongle and if you like that then get them to set you up so take your laptop with you.

Corndoggy · Senior Member

Think we all know someone nowadays. Google and YouTube are good problem solvers.

Corndoggy · Senior Member

Think we all know someone nowadays. Google and YouTube are good problem solvers. But don't try for a Phd like some do.

StewG · Senior Member

If you want to get a better understanding of the jargon and technology, a good website for that is:
beconnected.esafety.gov.au/topic-library/all-about-data
and
beconnected.esafety.gov.au/topic-library/wi-fi-and-mobile-networks

This is a Federal Government site promoting "digital inclusion" - information for people who know little about computers. The topics range from 'what is a computer' to more sophisticated subjects with an emphasis of online safety.

Are We Lost · Guru

I had a quick look at that site. That is what I believe should be Wayne's starting point. Then come here to clarify points as needed.

Tony Bev · Guru

Wayne o wrote:
First up, Wifi, Broadband, bluetooth, all this stuff is rocket science to me.
I don't know why but I cannot get my head around it.
I am permanently on the road now but want to take my lap top with me.
Can anyone suggest how best I can use it. Someone suggested a dongle
which apparently attaches to the laptop like a USB stick enabling me to use
the laptop wherever I can receive signal. Does that make sense?
If so, can anyone suggest where I can get one? What do you suggest if you
are in the same boat as me? I don't need much data, I only check news, weather,
emails etc.

Thanks in advance.
Wayne

Hi Wayne o

The easiest and most simple way to go is :--

Take your laptop, into a Telstra store, plonk it on the counter, and ask for a dongle so that you can receive internet, while travelling

They will make sure that your laptop is suitable, and will set everything up

If they are just too busy to help you out, then do not purchase the dongle from that store, but go to another store

When it is time to pay for another block of data, then go to another Telstra store, (I assume you will be travelling), with your laptop and dongle, pay your money, and get them to set it up

That is what I did around 2012, as I did not want to pay anything, over the internet

The Belmont Bear · Guru

Tony Bev wrote:
Wayne o wrote:
First up, Wifi, Broadband, bluetooth, all this stuff is rocket science to me.
I don't know why but I cannot get my head around it.
I am permanently on the road now but want to take my lap top with me.
Can anyone suggest how best I can use it. Someone suggested a dongle
which apparently attaches to the laptop like a USB stick enabling me to use
the laptop wherever I can receive signal. Does that make sense?
If so, can anyone suggest where I can get one? What do you suggest if you
are in the same boat as me? I don't need much data, I only check news, weather,
emails etc.

Thanks in advance.
Wayne
Hi Wayne o
The easiest and most simple way to go is :--
Take your laptop, into a Telstra store, plonk it on the counter, and ask for a dongle so that you can receive internet, while travelling
They will make sure that your laptop is suitable, and will set everything up
If they are just too busy to help you out, then do not purchase the dongle from that store, but go to another store
When it is time to pay for another block of data, then go to another Telstra store, (I assume you will be travelling), with your laptop and dongle, pay your money, and get them to set it up
That is what I did around 2012, as I did not want to pay anything, over the internet

Wayne when we are on the road I run my Macbook laptop and all our other devices using a Telstra prepaid 4GX Wifi modem (no need to physically connect anything) if I remember it came with data and like a prepaid phone you just buy more when it runs out. They are advertising them at Officeworks at the moment for $50 and they come with 3 gigs of data, you can run up to 10 devices off it at the same time. It charges using the 12V Usb or 240V adapter supplied and once charged the battery should last you around 6 hours - if you leave it plugged in to a power source you can use it for as long as you like...We plug it into a USB port in the car when we are travelling and then use an ipad to connect to the internet and get real time info. make bookings etc.

BB

TimTim · Guru

As i previously posted, if you have a mobile phone and a laptop that is wifi capable, some older ones arent, then it is easy to connect to the internet. You do not need a seperate dongle or other device as all you are doing is paying for another data plan.

If by chance you do have a laptop that isnt wifi capable then you can just buy a wifi dongle and connect to your phone. Again, no extra data plan required.

Tim

oldbloke · Guru

I could not resist. As mentioned by Belmont Bear. $50 is cheap. The other model for $137 seems to have few advantages. Just can connect 20 devices instead of 10 and initially more download.

A magnetic antenna is available at Jaycar for $50 too. But I got one that appears to be identical for $20 delivered on Amazon.

The cost of data ia another matter and the unit is locked to telstra.

Are We Lost · Guru

Another vote fot those 4GX modems. They will satisfy most traveller's requirements. I have an extendable pole and so can raise the modem up high if needed for weak signal areas. Height makes a huge difference in those marginal areas. I have also found they perform better than using a phone as a hotspot.

The downside is you need a separate SIM and as they are locked to Telstra you have to pay their rates. But the modems are available unlocked on ebay so can use any SIM.