Can't get my head round a...........

[islandman]

I have windows '98 on a machine which is about 5 yrs old. My ISP is talktalk, My son says I should replace everything by having a laptop. He reckons the benefits would be that I'd take up less space in our lounge, have an up-to-date system, be able to connect my printer & scanner to it.

If I did, presumably the old tower and screen would go.

I am of the opinion that the laptop would work anywhere but how does it connect to the internet?. I have a mobile, does it connect via that, and if so, how is the connection paid for?

[Llamatron]

Just as an aside you might want to mention to your son that although 98 is old it's also no longer a target for scumbag virus writers out there. So is potentially more secure than XP.
Unless you go for a Mac of course.

If you want the laptop to connect to the internet anywhere (still only in the house) you'd need a wireless router.

If you do literally mean anywhere then yes it would have to be via a mobile. But don't bother, it aint worth the expense or hassle.

[ugly_bob]

or, you can just connect the laptop in the same manner as your desktop if you just want to use internet where your existing computer is.

[islandman]

That is an interesting point about '98 and virus's. I will certainly tell him.

If I do decide to get a laptop, I think I'd be tempted to use it without an internet connection at first, just to get familiar with it. Then connect as per my desktop.

If I were to connect via the same connection, what about the ISP, would they be involved ?

[fo3nix]

As is mentioned above, just think of a laptop as a regular computer. They're really no different. They'll do everything you want.

The main advantages they bring to most people over desktops is that they less cables. You may now have a mouse and keyboard connected, with a monitor cable, and power cables for your computer itself and the monitor. You could just have a power cable for the laptop.

If you wanted to use a mouse instead of the trackpad, then you just need to buy any USB mouse and plug it in. Most are USB now, if not all.

If you currently connect to the internet by plugging it into a modem (I assume you have broadband), then you just do the same. Laptops have the same ports on them that most PCs do.

Most laptops now are also wireless enabled. This means that if you have a wireless router (about �40 or so), you can sit with your laptop wherever you like in your house and use the internet.

[cheater123]

You do not need to contact your ISP or anything if you wanted to connect a laptop to the internet. All you do is for example if you use AOL, then install your AOL software onto your new laptop and away you go.

Also one thing to think about if buying a laptop is how long the battery holds a charge. I stiil end up having to trail my power lead across the living room so I can sit on the couch!