Dongle

donnydiva

Hi

Just a quickie question - can you only use a dongle on a laptop computer or can it be used on any?

Thanks

Sagz_2

What sort of dongle?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dongle

If your mean a mobile broadband dongle then it can be used on most with a USB.

donnydiva

hi Norbertsmum - yes I was meaning a mobile dongle. I was thinking that you could use most with a USB, its just most people mention using them on a laptop, and I only have a boring old fashioned computer!

Im looking for no hassle access to internet, with no contracts, no commitments, and although it may not be the cheapest of deals, it might be better for my piece of mind!

(Im using the library computer at the moment!)

Sagz_2

I've had an Orange contract broadband dongle and now have a PAYG 3 one.

I only need mobile broadband when working away from home (max 3 nights a week) so the Orange worked out expensive and I found it very slow, but had good network coverage.

The one from 3 is much faster, has saved me a bomb but the coverage is not so good.

Which ever you decide to get I'd get a free sim from the network and try it out in a mobile phone to see what the coverage is like.

Good Luck x

web_ferret

Yes USB dongles work on any computer.
I have an unlocked dongle with 3 and vodafone PAYG sims. I just use which ever gives the fastest signal where I am.

PlutoinCapricorn

People do usually mention dongles in connection with laptops not desktops. There are two main reasons for this:

- dongles are ideal for people on the move with their netbooks, as you don't need to find a hotspot;
- many people need something faster than mobile broadband and a higher allowance for their main home PC.

mk-donald

The only issue about using a single mobile broadband USB dongle across multiple PCs/laptops/netbooks is that you NEED their specific driver/management software installed onto the computer (usually done direct from the source code ON the USB dongle) which takes SOME period of time and may well be incompatible with OTHER networks dongle software.

eg my old (free after cashbacks) o2 dongle & new TMobile dongle (free after Tesco ClubCard) had incompatible software that stopped my WiFi until I resolved it - and sometimes the installed software THEN needs update(s) so again takes more time.

Bottom line - it'll work - but that VERY FIRST USAGE on any of the PCs/laptops/netbooks will take a bit of time & hassle to install/configure.

MKD

donnydiva

Hi again

Firstly apologies for not replying sooner, as I say Im having to rely on library computer access at the moment, as and when I can get in.

Thank you for all the above input and information, really appreciate it.