Advice required on choosing a laptop and dongle

Andrea2528

Hi,

I'd like advice on choosing a reasonably inexpensive laptop. I'm thinking of purchasing either the HP Stream 11" for £179.99 or possibly the silver HP Stream 14" for £198.97 or are there cheaper options than those that are worth going with?

I also need a dongle and was thinking of a 3g dongle even though I haven't any experience of using anything other than broadband.

Regards

Cisco001

I suggest you look for mifi instead

benjus

Cisco001 wrote: »

I suggest you look for mifi instead

Agreed - mifi is more flexible (you can share it with other laptops, tablets, etc) and you don't have to install anything on the laptop to use it.

Anne_Marie_2

Coming up at £179 from HP store if that helps at all.
http://store.hp.com/UKStore/Merch/List.aspx?sel=PCNB&ctrl=f&fc_sb_stream=1

Andrea2528

I won't be using the laptop at my home address. I'll be at a different address to my home address. Therefore, in that case, is a MIFI still preferable to owning a dongle. I'm looking for the cheapest, reliable option really.

Also, I'd appreciate it if someone has any advice regarding the HP Stream 14" laptop? Anyone also have any suggestions for other cheap and reliable laptops that are worth purchasing?

Thanks

benjus

Andrea2528 wrote: »

I won't be using the laptop at my home address. I'll be at a different address to my home address. Therefore, in that case, is a MIFI still preferable to owning a dongle. I'm looking for the cheapest, reliable option really.

A mifi does the same job as a dongle, except that it connects to the laptop via WiFi not USB (so no fiddly software to install on the laptop) and multiple devices can connect to it simultaneously. You may want to keep the mifi plugged into the USB port anyway, at least some of the time, to keep its battery charged.

Andrea2528

Thanks, appreciate the replies. Which is the cheapest to run though and does a MIFI or dongle have to be set up at a home address or can it be used away?

enfield_freddy

the MIFI does not need to be setup in your house


3g dongle = a small usb device that has a sim card in it (you top this up) , this device plugs into YOUR chosen computer and only that one can get the internet.


MIFI dongle = small box with a sim card in it (you top this up) , this box acts as a wireless router/modem , similar to what you have at home , you and your friends can all * (*there is a max number) can log onto this via your wifi on your devices and surf the net.


when finished you can move it to another location

Andrea2528

Ok thank you. Is a 3g dongle cheaper than a MIFI dongle and what other benefits are there to having a MIFI instead of a dongle?

Regards

enfield_freddy

check prices online , there was a orange one (I think) that you signed up for a mth , then cancelled and paid £1 on ebay for unlock code


I stated the benefits of the MIFI above


MIFI = many users at the same time , acts like your modem/router at home , and you connect via wifi to it


dongle = single user and plugs directly into your laptop ,


some chromebooks etc might not like a dongle

Cisco001

Are you look at PAYG or pay monthly?

How much data are you using per month?

What mobile plan are you on? Have you ask your mobile provider if you can tethering?