Help/Advice With a Computer Issue

[Kelly8]

Okay, so I really, really want a laptop. But there are couple of issues. I really can't afford a new laptop right now (even though I'm loving the Pampered Perk discount we now get). I could afford it if I could get wi-fi at my house. Currently I pay $45-$50 for a phone so I can have the internet, but I don't even use the phone. So I looked up a laptop on our dell perks, and the payment would be roughly $20 a month if not purchased out right. That means I would be saving money on bills. But I can't get wi-fi at my house. So I have hard time justifying buying a new computer when mine works just fine and I would have to keep the same internet. I live in the country, so I was wondering if anyone had a similar situation, and if so how did you fix it?

 

[colegrovet]

How do you get your TV?

most cable providers offer internet and so do most satellite providers.

 

[Symara]

i know you can get it through the satelite company, but it's just as expensive, if not more.

 

[Kelly8]

I called my satellite provider and they wanted to come out and install yet another satellite on the roof (DH quite against this) and it was more expensive than what I'm paying now. Grrr...

 

[Kelly8]

My sis gets wi-fi at her home for only $10 but I can't get it. Jeez, wouldn't that be perfect

 

[chefann]

Wi-fi is different from wireless internet. Wi-fi is a local network that allows you to be anywhere in the house, using the internet connection without being physically connected to it. You can have a wi-fi network with any type of internet connection: dial-up, cable, DSL, fiber optic, etc. It's like having a cordless (not mobile) phone, only with computers.Some communities have public wi-fi networks set up to allow their residents to connect to the internet for a nominal fee. Is that what you mean when you say you can't get wi-fi?

 

[Symara]

Ann, you are right, i was assuming she meant just a fast connection to make wi-fi worth while.

My grandfather has wi-fi on dial up and it's pretty much a joke.

 

[Kelly8]

Ann thanks for the info. I guess I'm still confused about all this. So I can get wi-fi with my high speed internet? But I guess there again, I would have to keep my phone bill (for internet). So I wouldn't be saving anything.

 

[pcchefjane]

If you are using AT&T, you don't have to have a home phone line. They won't tell you this unless you ask however. If you get DSL without a phone line, it is $5 more a month on the AT&T internet bill BUT you save the cost of the phone ($30-50 monthly)! We love ours. My SIL put in the wireless network here. It is not all that complicated to do and if you know anyone that does IT, they can do it very easily!

 

[chefann]

Ann thanks for the info. I guess I'm still confused about all this. So I can get wi-fi with my high speed internet? But I guess there again, I would have to keep my phone bill (for internet). So I wouldn't be saving anything.

Yes, you can use wi-fi with high speed internet. That's how I access the internet. You do need to have an internet provider and connection.To illustrate: DH and I have a cable connection for internet. Instead of running the cord from the cable modem to a computer or a router (for multiple computers), we run it to a wi-fi base station. That allows all the computers in the house that are wi-fi capable to connect to the internet without having a cord for the data stream.It really is like a multiple-handset cordless phone. When you have a cordless, you still need a phone line coming in to the house (that's like the internet connection). And then the primary base station is hooked to the phone line (that's like the wi-fi base station). All the handsets communicate with the phone line using a signal to/from that base station (like the computers communicate with the wi-fi station).AT&T, which someone mentioned above, offers DSL and fiber optic internet service, depending on where you live. DSL availability and speed is dependent on how close your house is to the central office because signals degrade on DSL the further they have to travel. Fiber optic is relatively new, and not a lot of the country is wired for it yet.

 

[chefmon]

If you are using AT&T, you don't have to have a home phone line. They won't tell you this unless you ask however. If you get DSL without a phone line, it is $5 more a month on the AT&T internet bill BUT you save the cost of the phone ($30-50 monthly)! We love ours. My SIL put in the wireless network here. It is not all that complicated to do and if you know anyone that does IT, they can do it very easily!

With AT&T, if you sign up on-line for a local land line and then basic wireless internet, it runs about $33/month ($10/month for Internet). I find that the speed is still fast and I can use my laptop throughout the house. I haven't had any problems and think that it is very reasonable.

This is only for first time AT&T users, although I believe you can get wireless highspeed internet for $20/month if you already have had an account with them.

Monica

 

[Kelly8]

So with wireless I could get a laptop and be able to connect with the internet anywhere in my house? (I'm still learning all this!)

 

[chefmon]

So with wireless I could get a laptop and be able to connect with the internet anywhere in my house? (I'm still learning all this!)

Yes, as long as the laptop has wireless capability - I think all new ones do. If you have an older one you can buy a card to insert into the laptop. So long answer, short - yes.

Also, if you have a laptop with wireless capability installed you can go to the library, starbucks, Panera, etc...anywhere that offers free wi-fi and use your laptop while having coffee or whatever.

 

[Kelly8]

that would be cool! Thanks for the info, ladies! I will be definitely making a call to at&t tonight.

 

[chefmon]

I think calling them to find out options is great, but just as a heads up, if you set it up on-line it is cheaper because you get on-line discounts. (the $10/month)

Here is the link I am refering to:
http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=7681

Hope it all goes well!! Good Luck!