| Dongle is a very weird term if you've never | | | | Make sure to read laptop reviews first and make |
| heard it before. Most people know that it usually | | | | sure that the range of these built in devices is |
| refers to the device that can be connected to a | | | | acceptable and they are compatible with the |
| laptop to offer mobile broadband access, but | | | | mobile broadband services you are looking at. |
| which ones work best and is there a difference | | | | After that, it's all about what you've got on your |
| between ones offered by different companies? | | | | contract. Generally, mobile broadband contracts |
| It's important to know exactly what hardware | | | | are quite varied and a bit of shopping around will |
| you're getting and the limits and advantages of | | | | find a variety of different packages and prices all |
| any contract that they may come with before | | | | with their own speeds and limits. It's important to |
| going ahead and signing a contract, especially as | | | | make sure that whatever provider you choose |
| mobile broadband contracts can extend as far as | | | | it's one that has a good range; especially in the |
| 24 months into the future. That's a long time to | | | | places you are likely to be using the service the |
| be stuck on a contract you don't like. | | | | most. Even the best dongle won't be able to |
| Firstly, a key thing to remember is that dongles | | | | perform well without good mobile broadband signal |
| generally do the same thing. Unlike choosing a | | | | in your area. Contracts normally come in 12, 18 |
| mobile phone where the handsets can be very | | | | and 24 month flavours, and the longer you are |
| different and range from really basic options to | | | | willing to accept, the cheaper the monthly charge |
| incredibly advanced smart phones, a dongle will | | | | is likely to be. |
| usually do its job no matter what. However, | | | | If you're not quite that willing to commit to mobile |
| some do offer additional features and can be | | | | broadband, you can always try it out Pay as You |
| used in different ways. For example, a more | | | | Go. This works pretty much like a mobile phone, |
| advanced dongle might have a slot for a micro | | | | you top-up your dongle and then you can use the |
| SD card and can double up as a memory stick. | | | | service whenever you like. It's much more flexible |
| There could also consider removing the need for | | | | than a contract and great for casual users, but it's |
| a dongle altogether, if you haven't already | | | | also much more expensive per GB than a |
| purchased your laptop. Some newer laptops and | | | | monthly charge, and you'll need to purchase the |
| many different netbook's have the same | | | | dongle separately instead of having it given to you |
| functionality as a dongle built in. This can be an | | | | free as part of a contract. |
| advantage if you don't want to carry around the | | | | Most dongles come with their own software to |
| dongle everywhere you go, and it does make | | | | run the internet, but while nearly all will be |
| things slightly more portable as you don't have a | | | | compatible with most laptops and different |
| dongle sticking out the system wherever you go. | | | | operating systems, be sure to check out all the |
| Plus, you free up a USB port which is handy if | | | | technical requirements of the dongle before |
| your laptop only has a few and you've got quite a | | | | purchasing to avoid disappointment. |
| few things you want to plug in. | | | | |