Linux and mobile broadband

JennyP

I would like mobile internet access. I don't need it all the time - just sometimes when I'm working away, it would make life so much better. I don't want to spend a fortune because I won't use it enough to merit that.

I asked Vodafone about the possibility of upgrading my phone to one I could surf the net on but that's prohibitively expensive and I still have months and months to go on my package.

I've seen a couple of mini laptops and am wondering about buying one with a dongle from 3 or T Mobile for the mobile broadband. Trouble is that the more inexpensive mini laptops - there are some about £140 - come with Linux not windows and the mobile broadband providers don't support that. There are things on the internet about the way you can use it but i'm not very technical and I'm not confident about managing to set it all up properly.

Has anyone any experience of this? How easy is it?

JennyP

If we sussed this out, we'd be quids in! All those cheap little Linux notebook computers and pay as you go mobile broadband is really reasonable now! It would definitely be cheaper than me than trying to go online on my mobile!

gavinp

The Acer Aspire models with Linpus Linux installed have a program called Mobile Partner which allows you to use a 3G dongle to access the Internet.

There are some details here:

http://www.drbig.co.uk/2009/01/26/acer-linux-settings-three/

Thanks

Gavin