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This is probably a silly question.. |
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#1 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: West Wales
Posts: 14,065
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This is probably a silly question..
but I have no idea about these things, so hoping somebody can help. I really fancy the idea of an android tablet, any make, cheap and cheerful, only for the odd usage away from home. Now I know they have built in wifi, but what if I am in somebody else's house who doesn't have broadband? My question is, can you use any of these devices using a broadband dongle, which would have to be Orange, because that's the only one that works in said person's house! If this can't be done, then there's no point in my buying one really, I need the internet when I'm away at weekends etc.
Thanks in anticipation....
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#2 |
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Essex
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Yes most tablets work with 3G dongles though not all dongles with with all tablets. You can get unlocked dongles which will work with any network.
What are you going to use it for, general web browsing or other stuff. Also if you have a smart phone, then you use that for creating a local hotspot and connect the tablet to that. |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,807
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I wouldn't have thought so. The dongle would have to plug into a USB port, with appropriate drivers on the tablet. Virtually no tablets (if any?) have a USB connector.
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#4 |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Scotland
Posts: 15,714
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Why not just buy a tablet that has a sim slot? No need to use a dongle.
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#5 |
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Newcastle-upon-Tyne
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Many tablets (other than the iPad) have USB sockets, but I guess that very few USB mobile-internet dongles have Android drivers.
Your best bet (other than going for a tablet with built in mobile-phone network connectivity) would be something like a MiFi. I don't think Orange support it, but Three do, and as you can place the MiFi wherever you want within several meters (such as high up on a window, possibly upstairs) you are more likely to be able to get a signal with it than with a dongle which has to be plugged directly into the device you are using. |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Sep 2005
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It depends on your phone, of course, but if you have a smartphone you can probably turn that into a wifi hotspot and connect your tablet to that.
I do that with my laptop all the time. |
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#7 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: West Wales
Posts: 14,065
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Okay thanks everyone. Still a bit confused, dunno if my phone is a smartphone, its a Nokia N97 mini? I wouldn't have a clue about turning it to a wifi hotspot tho, lol
We have no coverage of 03, 02, or Three in this part of Wales. Pathetic isn't it? Only Orange/TMobile and limited Vodaphone.
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#8 |
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Join Date: Sep 2005
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Your best bet is either a tablet with built-in 3G or a mifi, which is a bit like a dongle but turns the dongle into a wifi hotspot.
Go to somewhere like Carphone Warehouse, who have a good range of the different tablets, and see which you like. |
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#9 |
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: St Osyth
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I'd go for a mifi or if you have a jailroken iphone turn it into a wifi hotspot with mywi or pdanet.
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#10 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,636
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Quote:
Okay thanks everyone. Still a bit confused, dunno if my phone is a smartphone, its a Nokia N97 mini? I wouldn't have a clue about turning it to a wifi hotspot tho, lol
We have no coverage of 03, 02, or Three in this part of Wales. Pathetic isn't it? Only Orange/TMobile and limited Vodaphone. |
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#11 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Essex
Posts: 16,218
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Quote:
Okay thanks everyone. Still a bit confused, dunno if my phone is a smartphone, its a Nokia N97 mini? I wouldn't have a clue about turning it to a wifi hotspot tho, lol
We have no coverage of 03, 02, or Three in this part of Wales. Pathetic isn't it? Only Orange/TMobile and limited Vodaphone.Most android tablets come with USB and some come with 3G as well. If it does not, then most android 2.x and 3.x support huawei dongles (though not all models). Before looking at tablets have you checked out netbooks and laptops. Much more flexible and mature technology. If not then either get a tablet with built-in 3G or get a mifi router or dongle. |
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#12 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: West Wales
Posts: 14,065
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Quote:
If you have a Symbian phone (which the N97 mini is) then Joiku Spot is an app that can turn your phone into a mobile hotspot. Google for it.
Anyhows, I have downloaded and used the same very easily. I only chose the free version however. The bad news is that it used up all my credit on the phone, over five quids worth in about 10 mins! I knew there would be a snag, can't possibly afford that (I'm on PAYG) so is that the normal sort of amount, or is there another option? I can't seem to find out what you get if you pay for the premium one apart from a secured connection, which I wouldn't really be worrying about, not going to use it out in busy areas.Thanks for the info anyway.
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#13 |
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,636
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You would still use your data whether you have the free app or the paid version. If you connect a laptop or a tablet to your phone it's the same as surfing to a bunch of full sized web pages on your phone, you're just using the computer or tablet as a big screen effectively. The data goes through the phone either way.
If you want the benefits of a smartphone, you do really need to have some kind of data plan or provision. Hope this helps. |
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#14 |
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Essex
Posts: 16,218
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Quote:
The bad news is that it used up all my credit on the phone, over five quids worth in about 10 mins! I knew there would be a snag, can't possibly afford that (I'm on PAYG) so is that the normal sort of amount, or is there another option?
Quote:
I can't seem to find out what you get if you pay for the premium one apart from a secured connection, which I wouldn't really be worrying about, not going to use it out in busy areas.
As grump said, you really need to be on a data plan contract to get the full benefits of internet on the move. |
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