Help with choosing internet connection

musashi10

Hi,

sorry bit out of date when it comes to these things.

Basically, just got a new laptop and I now need to get internet access.

I have been looking at the options, and I really like the sound of wi-fi. seems like I can then connect anywhere in the house or on the move (plkease correct me if I am wrong).

are there any downsides to getting wi fi broadband to normal broadband via a cable?

what is the best deal?

(i'm an orange mobile phone user and quite liked the look of their offer!) Basically after unlimited usage + fast connection and cheap if poss!

Any help would be great

Thank you

marcosdjcm

If being able to use your laptop in any room of the house sounds good to you then getting wifi in the home is great idea. Otherwise you'll be stuck to using the web at a single desk and room in your house.

Downsides, not many, you wont see a dramatic difference speed-wise with wifi on the web, as the web connection itself is slower than modern wifi. Security is important with wifi, all you have to do is make sure you're security is set to a decent level (WPA2 is good for now)

O2 are great at the moment, may not be the best deal though

musashi10

Cheers mate.

And is it best to get norton anti virus to add to the protection?

Or are free ones just as good?

niknar

Free ones are just as good, AVG,Comodo,Avast,and a few more,have a read about them, then try them out to find one you like.
Everyone has their own opinions,likes and dislikes.
I tried a few over the years and settled on Comodo Internet Security.:)

musashi10

Thanks and does that protect for everything?

Also regarding the wireless connection.

My cpu spec says I have the below and I was wondering if I need to buy anything else should I want wi fi broadband for it to actually connect? (sorry probably a stupid question)

Communication Integrated 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN
802.11 b/g/n; Bluetooth® wireless networking
5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards,

MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro or xD Picture cards

musashi10

Apologies, I just thought of another question.

In 6 months time I will be moving. Is uthe contract with me or somehow attached to the house phone number or line?

I.E can I switch home and bring broadband with me?

kwikbreaks

802.11 b/g/n says your laptop has built in WiFi. It will usually turn on and off so check your user guide - there may be a physical switch or it could be via a function key or something similar.

The broadband is tied to the physical line so check your intended provider allows a move (preferably free). O2 do.

Forgot to mention - best deals usually come from LLU providers (Be/O2 or Sky are the better ones) If you move they may be unable to offer the same product - Be are LLU only and both Sky and O2 non-LLU are generally reckoned to be poor.

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/search.php will show what LLU operators are available.

niknar

Comodo Internet Security is an all in one package, although you can choose to install AV or Firewall separately.
Antivirus,Firewall, and Defence + (like windows defender) which helps protect registry from malware among other things.

marcosdjcm

musashi10 wrote: »

Apologies, I just thought of another question.

In 6 months time I will be moving. Is uthe contract with me or somehow attached to the house phone number or line?

I.E can I switch home and bring broadband with me?

Unfortunately they're always tied to the line/house. Express this concern when you talk to the company about signing up, almost all have 12 month contracts, but there are a few ISPs out there that will do a shorter contract.

Do you have a landline and phone already?

gunja99

JUst wanted to state that musashi10 said "I have been looking at the options, and I really like the sound of wi-fi. seems like I can then connect anywhere in the house or on the move (plkease correct me if I am wrong).". With Wifi from your home connection (as people have suggested), you will be able to use your laptop in the house and garden online, not too far away. You will NOT be able to use this on the move, as you stated there. i.e. once left the range of your Wifi Access point in the house.

Now some operators do offer Wifi hotspots, in places such as airports train stations, coffee places, fast food restaurants, etc but this CAN be extra. If you want Wifi on the move you generally do this over a 3G connection with a USB dongle (there are other options available, but USB dongle is the norm). This is like a mobile data plan, and the connection can be a lot slower and less reliable depending on network coverage. You also tend to pay quite a lot for data compared to a home broadband (wired or Wifi!)

Hope that hasn't confused, but just wanted to make sure you understood that a Wifi connection at home doesn't mean you can use it on the move everywhere.

Martin

musashi10

Thanks for all your help guys, I understand all the different ways of connecting now.

In answer to the quesdtion, do I have a landline.

It is not6 my house, but the owner has both a landline and a broadband connection already-even though haven't used the internet since last pc broke.

I think he said the contract long finished and its rolling and he pays double what you can get nowadays and with no wi fi.

He doesn't use the internet, so I'm suggesting he get rid of that, and I get a new one sorted for the time I stay there

So now I just have to find and discuss with a provider.