internet connection

[liquidspace]

This will be an easy question for lots of people but Ive never done it before - never had a home computer. Is it best to get a normal computer or buy a laptop and in both cases, how do you connect to the internet?

[Sammy Snake]

Whether you buy a laptop or a desktop is down to personal choice, do you want it to be portable or are you happy for it to sit on a desk. As for the internet, it is the same whichever you chose.

You can get dial-up where you have a wire that goes from your phone socket into the back of your laptop or PC (most machines have built in modems for this) and you either pay per minute or pay a fixed amount each month for unlimited useage.

You can get broadband (faster than dialup) and for this you need a special broadband modem, most ISPs (Internet Service Providers) will supply one when you take out their broadband package.

Thirdly you could go wireless. You would need to get broadband as described above and you would also need a wireless router. A new laptop would probably be wireless enabled anyway but for a PC you would probably also need to get a wireless dongle.

All the above assume that you have phoneline coming into your house.

[theren_911]

Just to add to that:-

Don't get dial-up, It's a waste of money in my opinion. Broadband is faster, and in most cases cheaper. It's also safer as it prevents "diallers" which are bad!

If you are on NTL or Telewest they do a nice TV/Phone/Broadband package :D

With regards to the actual computer, unless you specifically need to move the PC or take it places, get a Desktop as they are generally more reliable, easier to upgrade and much cheaper to repair should it break!

[liquidspace]

Thanks. So I should get a laptop - a wireless router (?) and if Im on NTL, how do I get broadband?

My steps are: 1. get the laptop 2. bring it home 3. ??

and how much would all this cost?

[Sammy Snake]

1) get a laptop
2) bring it home
3) phone NTL to arrange broadband.

NTL should set up your broadband and send you a modem. You will also need a wireless router (if you are going wireless) which you can get from PC World or somewhere like that, for about �50-80.

How much the broadband will cost depend on which package you take out with them. For an example, I use Tiscali and pay �15.99 per month for unlimited access.

[fo3nix]

If you want a small computer to be able to put away out of sight, or just don't like seeing lots of wires, then yes get a laptop. Otherwise a desktop will be cheaper (or at least, more powerful for the same money), and as theren911 says, easier to upgrade if you need to.

If you're already on NTL then they do a pretty decent package that's �30/month for the standard TV package, 2MB internet connection, and phone line (I believe with free evening and weekend calls, if I remember correctly). You'll just need to phone them up and speak to them.

If you want to be able to use a laptop wirelessly, i.e., be able to wander around the house and surf the web on your sofa, then get a wireless router also. Something like this.

[parkesquay]

I don't have a laptop but I think /know that if was just entering the PC world especially with the technological advances of the last few years a laptop is what I would buy.

The real advantage is that you can take it into any room and with wirelss(as already stated)still go onto the web/email. It is easy to take ones laptop to where you have your printer/scanner but one can't do that with a tower style PC.

With a laptop one can watch TV(sort of) and write letters etc with the device on ones lap.