Chromebook And Bt Wifi

[bamberger]

I have got BT broadband at home and a home hub 2 . The PC I'm working on is connected to the home hub by an ethernet cable.
I'm thinking of buying a chromebook so that I can browse the net while someone works on the PC
How do I get the Chromebook to connect to BT wifi and if I am out and about in a BT wifi hotspot , again what do I do? Do I need to buy a dongle (don't understand what one is but it seems to crop up)
If a password is involved , is it the same regardless as to whether I'm at home or not and how do I know that I need to enter a password rather than me thinking nothing is working? Is it obvious where and how to enter the password?
I've never had a wifi device and can't find an idiots guide.
Thanks

[Buenchico]

Hi Bamberger.

A fellow idiot here. (I recently acquired a netbook, having only ever previously used wired connections, so I've had to find all this stuff out for myself).

Dongles are used to add wifi to devices which don't already have that facility. Netbooks (including Chromebooks) are wi-fi enabled, so you wouldn't need one.

To find wi-fi signal you simply click on the relevant icon a the foot of your screen. It will show all available networks and you simply click on 'Connect' on the one of your choice. Most networks require a password (to stop you 'borrowing' your next door neighbour's internet connection), which you just enter in the box. Some public networks (such as those in McDonald's or Wetherspoon's) require you to open your web browser and try to access any site. If it's the first time you've used their service, you'll be diverted to a registration page; thereafter it's automatic,

The instructions for BT are here:
http://www.btwifi.com/help/login-with-bt/connect-using-your-pc.jsp#win7

[Buenchico]

PS:
I considered a Chromebook but I chose an Acer Aspire One. There are two versions; the one with a 6-cell battery costs about £30 more than the basic model but the battery lasts 8 to 11 hours in use, which is considerably longer than the Chromebook's battery.

[bamberger]

Buenchico

That is really helpful -many thanks

[mikey4444]

I agree with Buenchico.

I also have a ACER ASPIRE ONE and am very pleased with it. These small notepad laptops don't take up much more room than a Tablet type and are much easier to use. If you intend to do a lot of typing, than a virtual keyboard will drive you slowly MAD ! Actually, probably quite quickly come to think of it !

Mine has a AMD Dual Core Processor C60, 2gb of Memory and 320 GB HDD ram, and its battery last about 5-6 hours. I paid less than £250 for it last summer... tremendous value I would have thought. Its screen is actually 11.5 inches corner to corner, so almost as big as a regular laptop.

Also why constrict yourself to CHROME ? On the ACER I can choose Windows or CHROME, or any other if I choose.

Go somewhere that will let you "fiddle" around with one. I bought mine from Comet in Cornwall and the chap couldn't have been more helpful. I know that Comet isn't an option now, but there are plenty of others to choose from.

[mikey4444]

Forgot to add.....getting access by WIFI is dead easy...Dongles are no trouble to use and don't forget that you can pick up a signal from your home WIFI, or anybody else s come to that.... McDonald's, Weatherspoons, TESCO

[mikey4444]

Sorry...another thing I have found. The ACER will accept large capacity batteries, which are easily available from ebay, thus allowing much longer use away from the mains.

Can't think of any other things !

Yet.