Not so long ago, laptop computers were the unchallenged means of accessing wireless internet while on the go. The laptop-wireless internet connection has grown so strong that today, almost all laptops come with preinstalled wireless cards. In recent years, however, the laptop has also had to compete with new devices like smartphones and tablet computers. Will the old champion be able to keep up with these young bucks?
It’s clear that in order to keep up with these new devices, the laptop must adapt—and that includes the ways in which laptop users connect to wireless internet. For example, one of the benefits of smartphones on a 3G wireless network is that they can connect to a mobile wireless network even when a Wi-Fi connection is not available. Are there similar options for your laptop?
This time, the answer is a definite “yes.” The range of possibilities for laptop wireless internet connections is expanding with new 4G mobile broadband networks, which can be accessed by a USB device or mobile hotspot. These 4G networks can already provide broadband-quality speeds on a secure network in many cities around the country, and mobile broadband coverage is growing all the time.
A major benefit of these new laptop wireless internet options is that they help to provide much-needed security, at a time when there are so many concerns over the dangers of free wireless internet hotspots. When you are unsure about the security of your laptop wireless internet connection, the best thing to do is to avoid any important transactions until you’re on a network you trust.
Regardless of how you connect on your laptop, wireless internet security should be a priority. Make sure your laptop has up-to-date firewall and antivirus programs installed. While not foolproof, they will help to minimize the risks of using public wireless internet on your laptop. Take a chance to browse some lists of online recommendations, whether they’re at techie blogs or a syndicated news service. You’ll find that there are many free programs that in many cases will work just as well as a paid product.
In conclusion, don’t give up on your laptop as a portable wireless internet option just yet. There are methods which can provide the same on-the-go functionality on a laptop that you would get on a smartphone or tablet computer. You just have to have the right service. Without paying for a mobile broadband plan, though, it will be difficult to find an on-the-go laptop wireless internet plan that you can trust.
