Embarrassingly ignorant wireless question.

[lalalonglegs]

I am a notoriously late adopter and have just got my first laptop which I love but how do I get it to connect to wireless internet when away from home. (I do have legitimate work reasons for this, I won't simply be preening down the local Starbucks ).

Humble thanks

Lalaluddite

It's usually quite simple.

So I need to subscribe somewhere? Do they give me a card or code? Are some providers better than others? I really am clueless.

Most hotspots will require a subscription, although there are occasional free hotspots. You need to ask at Starbucks, or wherever you're planning to use the hotspot.

What if I just want to take it with me to use when I'm out and about, not specifically at one place? Please bear with me on this - I really don't know (try to imagine I'm a new mother asking about breast feeding if it helps...).

Then a hotspot subscription won't be much use, you need mobile broadband. T-Mobile is probably the best (although 3 is worth a look), and they include Starbucks' hotspot usage for free too. To use a hotspot you have a username and password, but to connect to mobile broadband (which uses mobile 'phone masts) you need to plug a dongle into your USB port then it should connect manually.

Google for 'mobile broadband uk' or look at T-Mobile's offering which will explain everything.

Oh, now I get it. Thanks so much.

ooh glad you asked about this! I was also wondering how people did their work on the train. [luddite emoticon]