What Are The Alternatives To Dongles
Aside from using plugging a dingle into the side of your laptop. Here are some other ways to access the internet:
Mobile broadband devices: Also known as Mi-Fi and pocket Wi-Fi hotspots. Like dongles, these are little portable gadgets that connect to mobile broadband wherever you are. Unlike a dongle, though, they do it by emitting a Wi-Fi signal. That means you can connect multiple devices at once, including smartphones, tablets, e-book readers, and more, but you’ll need to remember to keep the battery charged. Compare mobile Wi-Fi deals here.
Public Wi-Fi hotspots: The UK has a huge network of Wi-Fi hotspots that you can connect to – often for free – so you can get online when you’re out and about. Speeds can vary though, and you can’t always guarantee there’s one nearby. Take a look at our guide for more info.
Smartphone: Most smartphones can connect to mobile broadband, provided you’ve got 4G or 3G data included in your plan. Some can even be turned into Wi-Fi hotspots so your computer can ‘tether’ to it and use the internet. Keep a close eye on your usage if you do this, though. Read more about tethering.
Mobile broadband router: If you’re thinking of getting a dongle for temporary broadband, there are other options. Some mobile broadband providers – such as Threein central London – offer proper routers for your home with much more generous download limits.
See our beginners’ guide to mobile broadband for more.
More Info On Ethernet Cables Than You Probably Need
Ethernet is the primary type of network connection, but there are seven different generations of cable that you might encounter.
Category 5 , CAT5e, and CAT6 are the most common Ethernet cables today. CAT5 cables support 100 Mbps while CAT5a maxes out at 1,000 Mbps. CAT6 introduced shielding to reduce interference while CAT6a increased the maximum speed to 10,000 Mbps.
CAT7 cables are the newer generation, reaching up to 100,000 Mbps at a range of 49 feet. The latest generation, CAT8, can hit 40,000 Mbps at a longer span of 131 feet.
If youre buying a new cable, its easy to get the right kind. But its harder to tell if a cable is suitable for the job if youre just pulling one out of a tangle in your closet.
Fortunately, cables usually have their information printed right on the sheath, including the manufacturer, bandwidth, certifications, and much more. Look for the words CAT5 or CAT6 to find out what kind of cable it is. If in doubt, you can always just replace an old cable with a new, reliable one, as theyre relatively cheap.
Finally, special crossover Ethernet cables can connect two PCs directly without using a router. These cables have reversed pins on one side and are not commonly used in a home setting. They wont work if you try to use them in place of a standard straight-through Ethernet cable.
Can I Deduct My Computer For School On Taxes
OVERVIEW
You may be able to get back part of the cost of that computer you’re using for school on your income taxes.
If you find yourself dreading tax season after a year of pounding out college reports on your computer, take heartyou may be able to get back the cost of that computer on your income taxes.
- The IRS publishes specific requirements for educational expenses and a computer often qualifies.
- If it doesn’t qualify under a tax credit, you still may be able to list it as an itemized deduction on your taxes.
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Do You Need A Sim Card For Portable Wifi
A portable WiFi hotspot is a pocket sized mobile router, which you can take with you setup an internet connection. Most portable hotspots devices use the 3G and 4G signals from network providers to enable the connection. Mobile WiFi hotspots therefore often need a SIM-card that provides the connectivity.
Connect Your Router To The Modem
Chances are, you already completed this step. But if youre setting up your router for the very first time, you need this connection first before you tether your computer to the router.
If you have a standalone modem
Connect your router to your modem using an Ethernet cable. Most routers have multiple Ethernet ports, but theres one specifically labeled Internet or WAN used for connecting directly to the modem. It typically has a different color than the other Ethernet ports.
If you have a wireless gateway
Be sure that you properly secure the wireless gateway to the internet connection entering your home. The connection type depends on the internet you have.
For example, cable internet comes into your house via a coaxial cable, whereas connecting to DSL requires you to connect your modem to a filter, which then plugs into any phone jack. We provide more information about cable types below.
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Can I Set A Wireless Connection With My Usb Modem Without Laptop
With most of the current devices you can, although the modem may need to be configured beforehand. A modern portable Internet modem is an autonomous device and will work entirely on its own as long it has a power source either a battery or a cable plugged into a USB port. Simpler models that have little to no settings may be able to work out of the box, while more sophisticated ones would need a one-time setup, but after that, youre good to go.
What Is The Difference Between Wi
Wifi is used between wireless devices and an access point for interconnection. While the hotspot is created using an access point device that is connected to the router. Wifi is more secure in comparison to hotspot. Hotspots are less secure than private wifi as they are typically used in public places.
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Nationwide Coverage You Can Rely On
T-Mobiles network keeps getting bigger and bettermore towers, more engineers, more coverageso you can connect to a hotspot in more places with faster speeds than ever before.
During congestion, Project 10Million customers may notice speeds lower than other customers due to data prioritization. Video typically streams at DVD quality . See full terms
How Can I Get The Internet On My Laptop Anywhere
Internet sticks are among the popular ways to ensure there is internet access anywhere you go. They are portable and lightweight, making it super easy to carry in your pocket, travel bag, or backpack. Furthermore, the internet connection is quite fast, stable, and reliable. If you travel a lot, especially for business, you might as well get yourself an internet stick.
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G Or 4g Mobile Hotspot
Mobile hotspots can be either hardware devices like FreedomPop’s Freedom Spot or a feature on your mobile device. You connect your laptop wirelessly to the 4G or 3G mobile hotspot, much as you would connect to a Wi-Fi network or Wi-Fi hotspot. As with the other options, you’ll need to subscribe to a mobile data plan for your mobile hotspot deviceor if you may need to pay an extra “hotspot” fee to use the built-in hotspot feature on your smartphone. One major advantage of a mobile hotspot, however, is that you can typically connect more than one device to it for shared mobile internet access.
- Pros: Usually can connect five or more mobile devices at once.
- Cons: Have to carry around a separate device .
- Example: Most smartphones these days have a built-in mobile hotspot feature. The MiFi mobile hotspot made by Novatel is available on several wireless carriers. Learn about how to use your Android phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot to turn on Wi-Fi internet sharing.
Wireless Internet Cards For Laptops Cellular Connection
A cellular wireless Internet service for laptops can be spectacular, and at its best can deliver anytime/anywhere Internet to your laptop. This often gives you more freedom than youd otherwise have when youre loosely tethered to a Wi-Fi connection.
But you may pay a higher price for this freedom.
To access the Internet via a cellular system youll need to fit a cellular modem card to your laptop.
Speed depends on…
- How far you are from the cellular tower.
- How much data capacity is available on the providers network. This will depend on data traffic conditions. Things may slow down during peak data traffic.
- The size of the files youre transferring. The bigger they are, the longer it takes. It takes much longer to download high-resolution picture files than it does to download a text file, because with a picture, theres a lot more information to transfer.
- The data speed of the card, and how its configured. High-speed anywhere/anytime wireless Internet access is becoming increasingly available and providers sometimes provide a wireless Internet speed test to enable you to check the current data rate over the network.
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Can You Get Wireless Internet Without A Phone Line
FAQ about internet without a phone line If your home isnt wired for cable or phone, you can get internet with fixed-wireless, mobile wireless internet , or satellite internet. And if your home is wired for landline phone service, you can also get DSL internet and still choose not to get landline phone service.
Bottom Line: You Always Need Ethernet
Physically connecting your devices to the internet might feel like a return to the 1990s, but its still commonplace in many homes and businesses. After all, your home network starts with an Ethernet connection to the modem. Even if your wireless network is healthy and meets all your needs, there may be scenarios where an Ethernet connection makes more sense, like gaming and media streaming.
For a deeper comparison, read our Ethernet vs. Wi-Fi guide to see which is better for you.
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Which Is Better Dongle Or Broadband
Dongles work in an almost similar way with the broadband on smartphones. However, the wifi dongles are often used when connecting a laptop or PC to the internet. Unlike broadband, the dongles dont require cables for an internet connection. Furthermore, broadband is mainly used at home, and whenever you are away from home, you get disconnected. On the other hand, dongles are portable devices that can be used just about anywhere by the people who want a reliable internet connection.
Reading Your Internet Service Contract
Similar to your coverage, the contract aspect of things may or may not matter to you. If you already have service and just plan on adding Wi-Fi capabilities then you should already be familiar with your contract.
But if youre not, or if youve never signed up for internet before, here are a couple of things you might want to think about.
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Which Portable Wifi Is Best
The best portable Wi-Fi hotspots you can buy today in 2022 Urozetta Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot. The best portable Wi-Fi hotspot with no SIM needed. Huawei E5577-321 Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot. TP-Link M7350. GlocalMe U3X Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot. Netgear Nighthawk M2 Mobile 4G Router. Zyxel 4G LTE-A Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot. D-Link DWR-932.
How To Get Wi
Don’t have a regular ISP? Learn how to get Wi-Fi wherever you are, even without an internet service provider.
Getting on the web is expensive. In the United States, the average cost of a home internet connection is $60 per month. Don’t fancy paying all that money? Don’t worry even if you don’t have a regular ISP, there are still ways to go online.
Here are some ways to get Wi-Fi without an Internet Service Provider.
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How I Will Check If My Laptop Is Connected With 4g Or 3g
The details may vary from system to system, but in broad strokes, the process will look like this:
Alternatively, you can choose from a plethora of software solutions that give detailed information about the connection, although their reliability varies depending on the setup you are using.
Using A Laptop As A Wired Router In Windows 10 And Windows 8
If you use Windows 10, you can turn your laptop into a WiFi hotspot with ease, thanks to the pre-included settings. The Anniversary Update added the ability to share your network connection, which was a welcome addition. Heres what you do.
You should now be able to access the internet using your laptop as a Wi-Fi hotspot.
If you use Windows 8, you can still create a Wi-Fi hotspot, but it takes a little more configuring.
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Wireless Internet Cards For Laptops Let You Connect To Public Wi
Often you can find and access free wireless Internet locations Wi-Fi hotspots.
These are popular, and theyre becoming more common every day. Why? Most of us now expect Internet access to be readily available, and organizations that dont offer Internet access may lose customers.
Youll often find Wi-Fi hotspots in cafes, airports, hotels, libraries and other public places. They are usually configured to provide wireless coverage throughout a particular building.
Many Wireless Internet Service Providers have set up Wi-Fi hotspots at hubs of human activity. Companies that supply wireless Internet cards for laptops often supply wireless Internet access cards along with a payment plan.
There are many different plans, and their terms can change, so you need to check the details of the specific plan youre considering. Some providers will supply a card for free when you subscribe to their plan.
An Internet provider may supply the card as a part of the overall plan, where you pay for monthly Internet access. The card may be just part of the service, and not a separate hardware item that you would buy and own.
Can I Access My Internet Without A Router And Modem
This depends on what you mean by router and modem, but yes, you can. The word router has become synonymous with Internet access, yet strictly speaking, routers are not necessary for connectivity per se. Their purpose is to share the connection with several devices, which means you can get online without them by plugging the cable into your laptop directly, for instance.
Now, the modem is a different story. Technically, this piece of hardware is what enables your laptops connection in the first place. Today, they come inmany shapes and sizes, from a large and expensive satellite modem to a portable USB modem. However, the modulation and demodulation usually happens outside your laptop anyway, so, unless you are looking for a specific piece of hardware like theUSB wireless modem for travel, you wont need one.
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Can You Get Data For A Laptop
You can use your mobile internet on your PC, laptop, or tablet when you use data tethering. Android phones are all you need. You can solve this problem by connecting your smartphones mobile internet connection to your PC via the Internet. In this process, called tethering, you are tied to something.
How Can I Increase My Laptops Storage Space
I use a Dell 15-5577 laptop with 8GB of memory for music production and graphic design. The problem is that its 256GB SSD is not enough to store all my projects. An external drive is not an option because I want everything in the same drawer and its a pain to carry it everywhere with me. I need help with how to swap out my existing SSD with a larger capacity one, say 512GB. While Im at it, should I also upgrade memory?
The Dell Inspiron 15-5577 was sold as an affordable 15.6in gaming laptop with an Intel Core i5 or i7 Kaby Lake processor and an Nvidia GTX 1050 graphics chip. It costs from £799 to £1,299 depending on the processor, graphics, storage and type of screen installed. It also has an Ethernet port, three USB 3.0 ports and a full-size SD card slot.
Reviews suggested the base-level screen was somewhat lacking and one said the 256GB SSD was slow. However, if your machines screen meets your needs then it is a good specification for your purposes.
Now you can get extra benefits from its ability to handle upgrades. You should certainly be able to do these yourself, with the help of the service manual and couple of YouTube videos.
Theres only one screw to hold the back on your laptop, so physically installing an M2 SSD and an 8GB memory module is a two-minute job. With some upgradeable laptops, it can take longer to get the back off.
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