laptop wifi

[sddsddean]

I'm thinking about getting a laptop with wifi, mainly for using on holiday to 'keep in touch'. So I don't need one with loads of storage or 'power', but hopefully something fairly cheap..any ideas? Next problem, I'm quite happy with how wifi works, but how do you pay for it? Do you pay an 'extra' subscription to your ISP for it (like adding Sky Movies to your Sky basic subscription)? If you are wandering round town and come to a 'hot spot' are these only available if your ISP 'belongs' to that hot spot? If somewhere charges for wifi use, how do you pay for it? I suppose I'm really after an idiots guide!! I don't really want a router at home, as I have just my PC, so can I hook up the laptop with the PC with a USB cable to check it works?

[ACtheTROLL]

shame you not wanting a router 'cause that's how it works

wifi is a connection method ... not something you get extra
hotspots are either free ... or you rent time ...
but at home ... unless you have a hotspot in range ... it's a router ... or modem ... or rent a dvd

[sddsddean]

I know what you're saying, but at home I use the PC, so won't need to use the laptop for Internet connection, so I can't see the point of having a router if its not going to get used, though I see some deals include one for free anyway.

[fo3nix]

Perhaps take a look at some of the netbooks?

ASUS 1000H, Samsung NC10, Dell Mini 9 or 12, Acer Aspire One: all good.

Wifi: it's just a radio signal. If you have a wireless router at home, you can use your own internet signal (at no extra cost to what you already pay for the internet).

If you're elsewhere, you need to find a hotspot. This is now nothing to do with your ISP at all. Some of these hotspots are free, some you pay for (at the counter at Starbucks or whatever).