Recently retired, hubby and I are going to make the most of things by travelling for several months of the year -  mainly Europe this year but further afield next year . We would like to connect our laptop ( windows XP) to the Internet via the mobile phone ( has data card slot, hasnt got wireless) for email and some surfing .Our mobile is ancient so I am more than happy to get a new one. We currently use 02 pay as you go because in Uk we are VERY infrequent users! 02 worked well roaming in Europe and South Africa, not sure about elsewhere.

Please help with any or all of these questions......  

1) We need an up to date, easy to use handset that gets web pages easily and in normal html format. 

2) What do I buy to connect the laptop to the mobile - I'd want to use it as a mobile as well as through the laptop. ..

3) Would the laptop connected via the mobile 'roam ' like the handset does ? 

4) Pay as you go for Internet access abroad? Is this possible and if so which network?

5) What is a global sim card ? Would a global sim card make it easier to use my mobile and laptop in different countries.  If so would i buy a new phone with global sim card ?

I cant be the only traveller wondering what is the easiest and cheapest way to use a laptop and stay on the net and travel!

MUCH gratitude if anyone can help here, especially answers in words of one syllable!

carole

OK, so you've got an old-ish laptop and an old-ish handset (phone). You want to get e-mail and surf the internet worldwide.

There are TWO immediate thoughts that come to mind.

1) A GPRS data card for your laptop. This will allow you to put a SIM into the data card which you then plug into your laptop. This is like a modem that uses the mobile 'phone network as opposed to the electric string to the hole in the wall of your house. You can get these cards from almost anywhere in the high street and you shouldn't pay a huge amount for them. Get one that is unlocked (i.e.; one that is not badged from Vodafone or O2 etc) and you can use virtually any SIM card in it.

2) Dump the laptop and the mobile phone and get one of the new Windows Mobile Pocket PCs with 'phone built in. The best of the bunch at the moment is the HTC TyTN which has a small keyboard. Obviously you don't get the big screen and keyboard, but some of my more senior clients LOVE these as they are light, easy to use and once you have got around the screen issues, you have the benefits of the PC in a mobile 'phone.

The third option is to buy a Bluetooth adaptor for your PC and then invest in a handset which has Bluetooth, over which you can then surf the web. This will take some help from someone to set up as it is notoriously dodgy for some handsets to keep the signal AND do the job. In your position, option (1) sounds the best of the bunch.

Enjoy!

SHARK!

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For every positive action, there's an equal and opposite government plan.

Thanks for your help. I will look into all 3 ideas but I am not too enamoured of the minuscule  keyboard  of the pocket PCs.  

The laptop is my daughter's castoff ! What does bluetooth actually do?  Would the other longer term alternative be to buy a newer laptop with bluetooth and a new phone!  We were thinking of doing this when we inherited this laptop - it is only 4 years old so not ancient but the firts generation of laptops at a reasonable price.

Which phone for people who want it to be obvious how to use it!!!

Last question -is connecting to the Internet abroad through a mobile an expensive option? 

Thanks carole

Why not Wi-Fi the laptop. Connecting via a mobile can be expensive, and you need a single to the phone to do it. Where as if you in a phone signal area, then you'll not be far from a Wi-Fi hotspot. You can find wifi hotspot areas listed on the web, just google it. Plus many are free to use.

You do need to be careful about roaming charges when using broadband on a laptop.

One option is actually to rent an International Mobile Broadband USB Modem from Cellhire.

http://www.cellhire.co.uk/data/international-mobile-broadband.aspx

They're a UK company (been around for 20 years) and they offer 24 hour support if you get stuck. However, it's really easy - just plug in the USB modem and it auto-configures itself.

They have bundle sizes from 10Mb to 200Mb depedning on your usage and you only pay for the time you've got the modem. It's international so it doesn't matter what country you visit and they'll send it directly to your home (and provide a pre-paid bag to send it back).

dean1978:Why not Wi-Fi the laptop. Connecting via a mobile can be expensive, and you need a single to the phone to do it. Where as if you in a phone signal area, then you'll not be far from a Wi-Fi hotspot. You can find wifi hotspot areas listed on the web, just google it. Plus many are free to use.

I agree with dean1978, if you are stopping in hotels, the majority offer free wireless internet access, if you have already booked them you can check on their websites. This is far cheaper and more reliable than using a mobile phone abroad and can be done using your current laptop. You would just need to buy a 'USB wifi adapter' such as this http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=4BYF which you will be able to pick up in your local computer store, who will probably also connect it up for you for a small fee.