What is my best technology solution?

[seb1899]

I am not a heavy computer user when we are on a trip and in the past we used computers at public libraries to pay our bills and make some reservations. I finally sprung for a laptop and we used the library wi fi and sometimes at McDonalds. I would like to get a hot spot from an ISP so I would not have to go from my site to use a computer.

We only use a TracFone for cellular service and this works out well as there is no monthly charge and we usually only buy minutes for when we are on a trip. When at home we do not use a cell much as my philosophy is ‘if you need me I’ll call ya’ ha ha.

Does anyone else use technology in a miserly fashion like we do?

Would I be better off with a tablet that is on cell svc as well as wi fi - ie IPad on Verizon or AT & T rather than a hotspot from an ISP. Are there ‘pay as you go’ plans for a ‘hot spot’ or would I be locked into a monthly contract. I would forsee using the technology while away 3 or 4 months in the winter and maybe a few 30 day trips in the summer/fall season.

I have no idea as to how many gigabytes of data I would use. Maybe I should give up the land line at home and go w/ a late model IPhone or Android device on a monthly contract as I believe the latest ones can be made to be a hot spot.

[MSHappyCampers]

Before we got new I-Phones we used a Mi-Fi JetPack from Verizon. After we got the I-Phones with the HotSpot feature, we discontinued the JetPack. We can change our data package twice a month. We keep it at the minimum when we're not traveling, and increase it to 4GB while traveling.

We try to use the campground Wi-Fi where possible to save our Verizon data.

[TonyDi]

I used to use a HP laptop and waited for a Wi-Fi hot spot. That got inconvenient very fast. I recently bought an Apple IPad Air, with Verizon. It is fast, and easy to link up. Everything I needed. But everyone has different needs but this best for me.

[sprayman]

My Ram truck came with U-connect, i it you can make the truck a hotspot.

cost is $34.99 per month. what are you folks paying for what you have???

Jim

[Gary RVRoamer]

Everything you mentioned is going to be quit expensive compared to your current minimal usage. A wireless "hot spot" is a cellular device that uses a cell service (Verion, AT&T, etc) to get online with your data. Ditto for a cellular modem, or a tablet or smart phone that also functions as a hot spot. That means a monthly subscription fee and some minimal amount of internet data service (typically 2 GB, which is probably a lot for your needs).

The good news is that you could get a smart phone which can also be your hot spot and replace the Tracphone, but it is going to cost you every month, not just when needed for a trip.

[Waiter21]

Do you have a smart phone? Do you have a dataplan on that phone?

Look at an application called "EasyTether". I use this extensively. You will need the pay version ($10 - find it in the play store.) The free version will not allow connections to secure sites.

How to tether Android - EasyTether. Android tethering for Mac OS X, Ubuntu, Fedora, PS3, XBox, Wii, Windows

You install the app on your phone and install the driver on your laptop. You need to plug you phone into the laptop with a USB cable.

[PDR John]

There are pay as you go air cards at Walmart and Verizon. I assume all the carriers will have them.

In your shoes I use one of them and skip the monthly obligation.

[SteveLevin]

Check out Free Wireless Internet | Free Internet | 4G Wireless Internet - FreedomPop as they have some inexpensive options as well that make sense for light use.

Steve

[kustom]

thanks needed this imfo allso