Newbie Wireless Questions/P1 Questions

Well I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new S6210 and have some random questions:

1. When your laptop shipped from Japan did it go through Kentucky to get to CA? I find that really odd that my laptop is currently sitting in the baseball bat capital of the world.

3. Did you guys have to sign via UPS for the laptop, those of you who got it through Portable One? I would think so... I work full time so I don't know how this will end up working out.

4. What is the deal with wireless internet? Am I getting some card with my laptop that can pick up free wireless internet, if not how do I set this up? I'll be in NYC, "the most wireless city" so I am pretty confident in picking up some sort of free internet -- I am just clueless on the entire "process."

5. If I were to get an aircard through Verizon do I have to get a new plan for my laptop, or can I just add it on to my current Verizon bill. I get 800 peak minutes on my cell and usually use about 600, so I thought if I add it on to my current bill it wouldn't be that bad. Plus the free nights and weekends would be pretty good.

Anyway, thanks a lot in advance - you guys have been a great help. I cannot wait until Thursday :-D

 

When mine shipped from california, it when past (east) of my state before coming back to me. This is how FedEx is so efficient, I guess.

Coffee shops, universities, and the like have wireless "hotspots" where you can connect to the internet. Yes the card is in the computer. You can buy a wireless router and set up a wireless connection at your home.

I know its hard to wait, but it will be there soon. Hang on.

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Fujitsu S6210: 1.6Ghz PM ~ 768MB RAM ~ 60GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
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Your computer comes with a wireless networking card. Here are two links that you can use to find wireless "hotspots" both free and commercial.

Wifi411

Wififreespot

The first link also has a WiFi Guide, which describes the basics including accessing public WiFi hotspots and setting up a home network.

There may be better sites out there but these are two I'm aware of.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks a lot. That is a relief the card comes with the laptop.. I am not too keen on spending any more money than I already did.

All I need to buy now is a laptop backpack and a mouse...

If anyone can put any input on the whole Verizon Wireless deal, that would be awesome. It's annoying, unlike Columbia, NYU isn't too keen on the whole wireless deal. [V]

 

Thanks a lot . I feel your pain.. I've been waiting since July 6th and now since no one will be home, it looks like I'm not getting mine until Friday... and I'll be at the Yankee game.. meh.

 

One more thing.. these "T-mobile Hotspots".. is there some sort of charge to connect to them? How do you connect in general to wireless networks that require $$ to connect.

 

-When using UPS, anything shipped via air coming from west of the Miss. will end up at Kentucky. It's some type of hub/transfer point.

-Usually, high value items will require a signature for delivery. Someone could send you something and require no signature, but that would make the shipment invalid for services like insurance should the package be lost, stolen, damaged. I am also waiting for a Fujitsu (P7010) and it's also coming direct from the factory. You'll probably end up with a 'post-it' on the door where you can tell them to deliver it another day. According to a friend of mine who is a former brown dude, you can call your delivery hub and ask them to hold it there...presumbly for pickup.

-Depending on your phone, you may simply need a wireless connection kit for internet use. If that is the case, the plan can be added on to your phone. Otherwise, purchasing an aircard will require a seperate plan...which isn't cheap. I've been using the Aircard for little over a year and as things stand now, you're better off finding a connection kit or waiting. It's speeds (30-100 kb/s) really only lend itself to checking e-mail, quick internet browsing or IMing. VZW is supposedly rolling out their Broadband Express network nationwide by late 2005 and in the NYC metro area sometime this summer/fall. This uses the EV-DO network with speeds around (300-700 kb/s). The current aircard/Express Network price plans make the BroadBand Express service worth waiting for.

Good luck with your machine. While you're unboxing yours, mine is supposed to be shipped on the 29th. I don't believe I got to sit through another weekend...waiting...again...

 

A couple things I can add...

The TMo hotspots service is $30/month if you do not have a mobile plan and $20/mo if you do. They also offer daily rates that are probably grossly expensive. The same sort of deal goes for other providers, but TMo has the largest network with well over 4000 hotspots.

With the Air Card, you have to buy a separate data plan that can be from $30 - $80 depending on the provider. If you want speed at and price, look at the Edge card from AT&T. If you don't mind dial-up speeds, then look at the TMo card with unlimited data for $30/month. You can buy them on eBay for less than the stores.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Something else I forgot. Since you have Verizon Wireless now, you should call them about their hotspots. VZW has a service for their customers that allows them to use various hotspots they have installed. Coverage is pretty good and you wouldn't have to buy anything extra since your laptop comes with a wireless card. That might be a better solution. If you go to their site, they offer a map of the hotspots. NYC is pretty well covered.

 

Thanks a lot. I checked out the VZW hot spots- they only have 16 in all of Manhattan, which are in hotels or McDonald's... no thank you.

I think I'm just going to rely on the free wi-fi throughout NYC such as shown here: www.nycwireless.net

If I were in some remote area, I probably would end up using the aircard etc., but nevermind then.

 

Hmmm, that's wierd. Towards the end of last year, they had dozens upon dozens of hotspots in NYC. I work for Verizon, so I remember the rep giving us the map and promoting it. I wonder if it didn't do so well. Wouldn't surprise me...it looks like the rollout of the BroadBand network in NYC Metro is being pushed back also. Any more delays and I'm going to AT&T or something.

You're smart to wait on the Aircard. It is a good service and has saved my hide plenty of times, but the price for the speeds you get is ridiculous and there are other alternatives. Once BroadBand Express hits, I think that will be well worth the money. The only downside is that the EV-DO network will not support voice calling. The current Aircards do support voice calling in laptops and PDAs (No integration with PDAs though) and that feature has also saved my butt.

 

Also check www.jiwire.com for freebies in your area.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

It's arrived!!

Now where is this wireless networking card?

I'm so overwhelmed... I literally took it out of the box 5 minutes ago... I don't know where to start [ ]

 

the card is built-in, you won't see physical appearance on the outside.
<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by NYYankeeGirl

 

There is another way of getting a wireless internet, it's called wardriving[} ][ ]

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Fujitsu S6210, 1GB DDR333, 80GB 5400RPM, DVD+/-RW
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ah... figured that out... now how do i steal peoples' internet? I'm currently dialing up on it?

Thanks a lot you guys