Would like to use laptop on train

Legacy_user

I haven't used my wifi laptop out of the house before and wondered how easy or what needs to be done to use it on a train for example. I've seen others with theirs and some plug the power lead in others whilst others don't. Apart from that, is it simply a case of switching on with wifi LAN enabled?

JasX

generally yes, look for an unsecured network with an 'official' looking name and connect when you try to go to an internet page (eg www.google.co.uk or this site) you'll be redirected to their page detailing how much they want you to pay for access/enter your credit card details.

No doubt there will be other deals etc that might reduce the price (eg i think btopenzone does something that ties in with your home phone, other tie-ups might well exist)

Alternatives might include getting a 3g internet dongle type card but unsure how well/reliably they will work on a train (ie web browsing probably ok, audio streaming probably less so.... video streaming probably not and in any case is probably v expensive over a mobile network -download these at home and watch later offline )

EDIT: corrected my awful spelling/typing
EDIT2: wish I hadn't now as i seem to have de-thanked myself in the process

System

I thought it was free!. Don't think I will bother then. We're going to my daughters where I use her laptop with dongle and then on to my son's where he has wifi and all I will need is his password (presumably, as that's what they do when they come to me).

Fifer

It's free on National Express East Coast (and on most Stagecoach buses).

JasX

Yes, some are free but most are not... intrestingly alot of coach services offer free wifi and I've heard more than a couple of stories involving ppl 'tailgating' coaches on motorways so someone in the passenger seat can use the net

I'm sure doing that kind of thing is going to cause a few accidents

motorguy

I've a £29.99 vodafone dongle that i got off play.com.

Works on most of my journey to and from work. Came with £15 free credit, and i only used £6 of that in six months.

System

So now we casually move onto another area.

My BB is via TT, but am I to understand that if I buy a dongle (vodophone is my mobile phone supplier), vodaphone for example, it will come with a set amount of airtime and that simply by plugging it in, off I go?

GaryS

The Vodafone mobile PAYG modem gets my vote.

Used it only this week whilst away to the IOW.

I have also tried the O2 one a few months back, but you lose any credit after only 30 days.

macman

Bear in mind that railway lines tend to have cuttings and tunnels. If you think how bad mobile reception can be on a train, then mobile broadband is going to be even worse. So if you need a reliable connection it's got to be wi-fi really.

estelle123

Did you watch "Watchdog"last week about wi-fi.If not try and watch it,it was all about how easy it is to hack in wi fi.Very interesting and scary.