New Laptop

[smurfchops]

My son is thinking of buying a laptop for his flat, he doesn't have any sort of 'connection' for this as he doesn't have a desktop with a modem. How would he get the 'wireless' part to work ? Please can you answer in easy English, otherwise I won't understand !

[ChuckFickens]

and notoriously expensive!

But doc is spot on, does he have a phone line

[MarkRae]

Firstly, hardly anyone uses traditional modems these days for Internet access. The vast majority of residential Internet connections in this country are via Broadband, either wired or wireless.

How your son will connect to the Internet will depend on what connectivity is available in his flat. It may already have a Broadband connection either via cable or through an existing landline. Or, it may be that the owner of the building has provided a wireless network for the tenants.

If neither of the above is available, he will almost certainly want to go for mobile Broadband - chances are, he'll get the best deal from the company which supplies his mobile phone...

[smurfchops]

He only has his mobile, to save money, no phone line connection. How much would he have to pay for Broadband through his mobile? I think he is on the Orange tariff. Is it easy to get a connection? Does the mobile have to be nearby the laptop ?

[rachael88]

i am talk talk in the house and the wireless is good but BT is better

[MarkRae]

Orange will provide him with what's commonly called a 'dongle' which he'll plug into one of the USB ports on his laptop. Has nothing to do with his actual mobile handset. Best thing he can do is to call them and see what deal he can get. Of course, he'll need to verify that he can actually get a mobile Broadband signal where he is, but Orange will be able to answer that...

[smurfchops]

Thanks doc spock, very sweet of you. Not sure about the dongle then ... I will get him to ring Orange. Thanks all ! Any more ideas gratefully accepted.