Wireless Internet Access for Laptops

[RayMich]

Can anyone relate their experience with wireless internet access on their laptop computers?

Does you laptop have an internal wireless internet card (Dell sells some for their laptops, or do you use an external card?

How is your connection when traveling cross-country?

Do you use it while on the road?

Do you have a laptop mount in your vehicle?

Any recommendations?

The three largest wireless internet providers around here are Verizon, Sprint and AT&T (formerly Cingular). I've read that Sprint is having some financial problems, if so, that may narrows it down to Verizon and AT&T as possible choices.

I've been looking for evaluations from the major PC publications, but so far I haven't been able to find any good comprehensive comparisons.

All of the wireless carriers want you to sign a minimum of 2-year contract. That is a hell of a long time if your service is less than desirable.

Thanks.

 

[blizzardplowman]

Ray,
I have a Sprint and a ATT air card. In the boonies the ATT card is 50/50, the Sprint card is 60/40 for service. When connected they both work well. In area with 3G service the ATT card rocks. I am looking to add this for the fringe areas http://www.shopwiki.com/detail/d=50db_repeater_kit_(da4kmr-30m)/jumpToFirst=true/

 

[RayMich]

Ray,
I have a Sprint and a ATT air card. In the boonies the ATT card is 50/50, the Sprint card is 60/40 for service. When connected they both work well. In area with 3G service the ATT card rocks. I am looking to add this for the fringe areas http://www.shopwiki.com/detail/d=50db_repeater_kit_(da4kmr-30m)/jumpToFirst=true/

Thanks.

I've read about cellular signal amplifiers from Wilson, but I don't know anyone who has one or used one. I've even thought about getting one for home, because our signal is not very strong here, even though I'm less than a mile from TWO different AT&T cell towers.

May I ask why you use two different carriers? Are they on the same computer? Can you easily transfer them to a different computer?

Do you get decent speeds or is it like dial-up?

If you had to make a choice between the two, which one would you pick and why?

Can you use them while moving down the road, or do you have to be stopped to use them? It would be nice to be able to have the wife look things up while I'm driving and vice versa, like motels, fuel stops, or restaurants, etc.

Thanks for your help.

 

[blizzardplowman]

Ray,
Get the ATT card. The sprint is from work where we have nextel and I got the card for my partner, He was always "gone" when on vacation and yet thought I was reachable 24/7. Now he is too ):h I have used mine on the road, works fine. 3G is Broadband or better, but for most things the edge service is fine. I have used mine all over on our trips. I used to add unlimited internet to my phone and then bought the aircard, pulled the sim out and put in the aircard, Works fine. Now with the Iphone I can't so I add a line for the summer and turn it off when camping season is done. The key is ATT is my providor and I bought the air card outright.

 

[RayMich]

Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it, especially your being able to compare the Sprint vs the AT&T cards.

Does anyone else have some experience with these that they want to share?

Anyone using Verizon's wireless internet?

 

[Clark20ry]

I have used Sprint and Verizon. My sprint card worked very well even in far reaching areas. I hated! my Verizon card. You had to have your car parked facing Mecca or move 6 - 8 inches to get it to work... Other than verizon I loved having an air card.. I could spend more time on here and the other site while out in the field...