dongles

[4getmenot]

I have just purchased a laptop and wanted to know which is the best deal with a dongle. I dont understand how much 1GB is a month. Is that sufficient?

[hc4361]

It depends how much you intend to use it and what you intend to do! Viewing videos such as YouTube will gobble it up, sending and viewing emails uses very little.
Go to each providers website page and check their coverage - will it work where you want it to? I live in the middle of a big city and Vodafone doesn't work here.
Check the speeds too - none will be as fast as your home broadband, but some are faster than others.
Then you can check prices. Do you want 'pay as you go' or contract? If you only intend to use it occasionally PAYG may be for you.
You may not know but Virgin now provide mobile broadband, so check them out as well as TMobile, Vodafone and 3.

If you are in no rush, I suggest you install a broadband useage meter on your current pc. This will give you an idea of how much data you use in a typical day, week, month.
I find this to be good.
http://www.bandwidthmeter.co.uk/

[4getmenot]

I dont have a homeline so fast would be good

[hc4361]

So it seems the dongle will be your only form of home broadband. I doubt 1gb would be enough, but I would advise you to start with the 1gb and see if the dongle is suitable for your needs. No company will refuse to upgrade you to 3gb or more at a later date if you need to do that.
Please be aware that you could end up with a huge bill if you exceed your limit. Read the small print before you make your choice.
Also, if you intend using it abroad, check the prices for that too. It could be very expensive.

[4getmenot]

No it will just be home. I am allowed to use work pooters for major stuff so would only be emails, Facebook etc

[hc4361]

You may find this useful to give you an idea of your usage. Don't underestimate!
http://www.naims.net/calculator.html

[4getmenot]

Just found one of those on Vodafone. I think I'm inbetween 1GB and 3GB

[Maypole]

I rely on my 3 dongle as I cant get broadband through my landline. It is OK and coverage is good, its not perfect but all in all its not bad.
I find the main contraints are that I cant download alot of video or audiobooks on iTunes etc as I will just go over my 3GB allowance, and my daughter cant download alot of the free programmes onto her iTouch for the same reason.
Early when I had it I downloaded a Harry Potter audiobook at just under 1GB and paid about �40 in excess broadband fees for the privilege.
On 3 its easy to check how much youve used and it sends to an alert you cant miss if youre approaching your limit, you can then ring them up and ask to move to the 3GB package for that month. Or you can walk down your local McDonalds and use their WiFi to get your Harry Potters lol

[4getmenot]

Maypole thank you so much for your response. Very helpful I think I�m going to try a 3GB dongle with my phone contract. Haven�t got laptop through yet. And my mate suggested mcd�s lol