Question:
Communication Everywhere
After evacuating for Katrina for a month and being in an information void, I decidrd that I would never feel that lost again. I want a laptop that in any situation, I would be able to use to view the outside world that wouldn't break me moneywise. The more I research, the more confused I get.
I want a laptop with at least 2 GHz, memory at least 1 GB, hard drive at least 100 GB. I've looked at the TOSHIBA SATELLITE, but again I am confused. I don't know how the wireless connection works. Please, someone help me here ,before that next storm hits.
I almost went out of my mind all this time for lack of information.
Ginny in New Orleans
Answer:
Re: Communication Everywhere
I don't think you need 2Ghz unless you have a specific reason. It will only drive up the price. ThinkPads are the best built notebooks. As for the wireless, your notebook will have a wireless cards that will work as long as there is a wireless router nearby. You can buy a card and service plans from mobile phone companies so you'd have service anywhere there is mobile phone serive.
Answer:
Re: Communication Everywhere
Ginny, unfortunately wireless is still very much so dependent on things such as power, internet service provider and cellular communication. If your power goes out, then a wireless router (which needs to be within 300 ft) will not work and you cannot get to the internet even if your laptop has a battery to run on, if the cell phone network is bogged down then using a wireless card (that's very very expensive and costs $90 a month) will not work and if your internet service provider such as Time Warner has an outage due to high winds and storms (quite likely) then your internet connection will go down.
At the end of the day a battery powered radio is the only sure fire way to stay in touch with what's going on in such situations, when the power went out for a day in the Northeast in August of 2003 I learned this lesson. My wireless laptop was useless for communicating because my power and cable was out.
Not trying to dissuade from buying a laptop, they're great tools, but if you're thinking they'll allow you to be in constant communication even in the worst conditions because they have "wireless" communication, then you're unfortunately not assuming the right thing.
Answer:
Re: Communication Everywhere
What do you mean by 2 ghz? For example, a 2 ghz Pentium M is way faster than a 2 ghz Pentium 4.
Answer:
Re: Communication Everywhere
Oh, let me clarify. When a storm approaches, we more than likely run. What happened to us was, we went to Luftin, TX to a Day's Inn for 2 days. The phones were useless and all we had was Fox News (which will make you go jump off the bridge) for information. Now they had a computer set up in the lobby with about 50 people around it. When we went to Eunice, LA for 6 days, I went to the library, again with about 50 people standing around it. I guess I just wanted my own. I just don't like other people looking over my shoulder while I'm looking at my bank information. We were not allowed to return home until everything was safe and the power restored. I'm just trying to find the best laptop I can find that I'll be able to use in motel rooms, the car while evacuating and even at home when I have power but no cable service. I would also like to be able to use it for my Video Transfer Service business. I transfer tape to DVD. I would like to get into editing; therefore I need enough of whatever to make that happen. What about Satellite service?
Answer:
Re: Communication Everywhere
You'd be able to use a laptop in any hotel/motel that offered internet service, many do. Or you could get a cheap dial-up service. They start around $5 a month. If you are in car, service from a mobile phone company is probably your best bet. Verizon offers high speed access thorough it's mobile network. You have to buy a card and it only works in major metropolitan areas. I think like 400k for around $60 a month for the service. There are others at lesser prices, but only offer dial-up speed. I think satellite in a car would be prohibitively expensive. I know they offer them on RVs. Good Luck.
Answer:
Re: Communication Everywhere
Alright, you should tell us some important info like your budget and such so we can recommend notebooks for ya. Fill out the notebook buying faq.
Answer:
Re: Communication Everywhere
OK, I took the plunge. I bought a Toshiba M45-S269. I am clueless on how to use the wireless function. Do I need to buy a wireless router? What do the cards do for me? I keep seeing network cards and pc cards. I have the laptop hooked up to the ethernet but it says the wireless network connection is not connected. What does that mean? I'm depending on you guys as my normal computer guru is working 7/12 days and is unavailable.
Answer:
Re: Communication Everywhere
Yes, you"ll need a router to connect wirelessly. The card in your laptop connects(or talks) with your router(access point) which then connects to the broadband modem.
Internet-->broadband modem-->router-->desktop(wired) or Laptop(wired/wireless)
Ofcourse if you dont want to use the wireless feature you can just skip the router and connect directly.
I have the laptop hooked up to the ethernet but it says the wireless network connection is not connected. What does that mean?
Your wireless card is on and it is actively scanning the airwaves for access points(or routers). Since you dont have a router it shows a message stating that it is not connected. You can turn off the wireless card by using either a hardware button(on the front of the laptop) or a keyboard shortcut or you can disable it through windows.
Answer:
Re: Communication Everywhere
Thanks, you answered my question. Now what kind of router (brand, etc.)?