Lap top in the truck , what do I need to know ??

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by Southern Son, Jun 7, 2012.

  1. Southern Son

    Southern Son Light Load Member

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    Jun 1, 2012
    Mt. Eagle T.N.
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    Mite be headed to TX for some crude hauling & want to take a lap top to keep me entertained during breaks, never had a "puter" while on the road & have no idea how/what is needed to provide internet service for it.


    Could someone whos tech savy & have hands on experience with this put me thru mobile lap top 101 ?? what will I need & wher to find it & whats it cost ??


    Thanks in advance. SS
     
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  3. austinmike

    austinmike Road Train Member

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    1. Subscribe to a mobile internet service and hope you can get a signal out in BFE. Cost - around 50 bucks a month

    2. Tether the laptop to cell phone and hope you can get a signal out in BFE. Cost - if you already have a phone, 20-30 bucks a month, unless you have a Jailbroken phone, then it's free to tether.

    3. Pay a small fee for a wi-fi connection at a truck stop. Cost - about 5 bucks for 24 hrs.

    There are alot of threads on here about it.
     
  4. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    MCDs has free wifi.
    Don't use PFJ WiFi.
     
  5. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Best bet is to get an aircard. I have a Verizon MiFi and there has only been one location where I failed to get a signal .
     
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  6. DirtyBob

    DirtyBob Road Train Member

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    I've been pretty impressed with Verizon's service as well.
     
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  7. WebFreight

    WebFreight Bobtail Member

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    Jun 9, 2012
    Los Angeles, CA
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    Some of the cell phones are gettin pretty large on the screen size you can do most everything you can do with a laptop minus the keyboard of course and larger screen if you can get over this part it might be an option and then just use a laptop when you have to with wifi at the truck stop. might be a combo option. A lot of packages for the phones now at 3G and 4G and Virgin Mobile has a pre-paid plan for like 60 bucks a month unlimited.
     
  8. aiwiron

    aiwiron Road Train Member

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    I tried the truck stop wifi and all the signal sucked really bad, I went with Verizon with a Droid Razr Maxx, tested my connection between the phone and my house service. My phone has better speeds than my Verizon home internet speeds and not a burp yet, I posted a thread about it and will be testing it out when I go back out this week coming.
     
  9. aiwiron

    aiwiron Road Train Member

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    Prepaid works around town, but if you get a signal anywhere else you will be lucky. Been there and have had a bad experience with prepaid phones on the road, never again for my use.
     
  10. S3XTION8

    S3XTION8 Bobtail Member

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    Windsor, ON
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    You can go either way, laptop or even a tablet. I find tablets easier to manage as far as stowing and carrying around. If you go with an ipad get the wifi and wireless enabled. You can buy a wireless chip for it and setup whichever plan will suit your needs. using an ipad or other brand of tablet you can hook up netflix (use wifi = less expensive) and only use your plan when you have no other choice. Using netflix saves you the hassel of burning, purchasing or carrying movies with you and your account works in both the US and Canada. It's only about eight bucks a month for unlimited movies and tv shows.
     
  11. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    I run a Verizon MI-FI and my laptop. I put the computer on the bunk when I am driving for the bumps and such.

    Otherwise, you can skip planning on watching netflix over the mifi. It will burn up your bandwidth allotment really quick and then things get spendy. Verizon just announced they are changing all their plans to data volume. Even the call minutes are going away to all being unlimited phone call minutes.
     
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