Using a Laptop Abroad

Joe_Millionaire

Hi guys

I am looking at buying my dad a Laptop for his 60th next week the only thing is once he retires (March) my parents are looking at going SKIing and moving to Spain.

They only want the laptop for Internet, so is there anything I can get that can use the net here and in Spain. Would a data card work abroad or would it be too expensive?


Cheers in advance

JOE

Blacksheep1979

Well if they're retiring in Spain why don't they get an internet connection there?

Joe_Millionaire

That was my initial thought, but I think they might do a 3 month stint and then come back over here.

How can I check what internet options are available for them over there?

Blacksheep1979

not entirely sure what options there are but they will probably be able to get some pay as you use dial up type package.

Joe_Millionaire

I did not want them to go with dial up

j_davies

Joe_Millionaire wrote:

I did not want them to go with dial up

I would wait until they come back and in the meantime use a cybe cafe.

Moneymaker

Apple G3 iBooks (12") are very portable and selling on eBay quite cheaply. I use a 600MHz version which happily runs OSX. I take it abroad with me on business and it has no trouble connecting to wireless networks. Nor are there any worries about viruses and other malware.

In contrast, I have a friend who lives in Spain permanently. He has two laptops running Windows and it's rare for both of them to be working. He keeps getting malware so one PC is always being "cleaned" while he struggles on with the other. If you want to do your Dad a big favour, don't buy a Windows PC.

j_davies

Moneymaker wrote:

He keeps getting malware so one PC is always being "cleaned" while he struggles on with the other. If you want to do your Dad a big favour, don't buy a Windows PC.

This is down to user error as my Windows PC that I built is fine, no malware, spyware, virus or other piece of nastiness on my PC so user error it is then as with the correct defense i.e firewall, antivirus and antispyware in place all will be ok so use either MAC or Windows based PC.

Joe_Millionaire

Looking on ebay now, he is not pc friendly either so i want it as easy as possible for him

Moneymaker

Unfortunately, a lot of older people are not up to speed on all the setting-up required to make Windows reasonably safe. In contrast, MacOSX is inherently safe "out of the box", which is why I bought my 78 year old Mum a Mac "Mini". She loves it. She can "surf" and email her friends without problems.

For new users there's a handy tutorial:
http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/

And for Windows "switchers":
http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/

j_davies

Moneymaker wrote:

Unfortunately, a lot of older people are not up to speed on all the setting-up required to make Windows reasonably safe.

All the setting up?


Oh you mean downloading about 3-4 programs and installing them, yeah I forgot how hard it was not forgetting macs are vunerable aswell.

People should really learn how to use a PC before buying one, well the basics anyway and should also ask why do they really need one apart from the fashion statement about how big their [STRIKE]penis[/STRIKE] ram size is.