Lap Top advice

[ppat324]

WOW!!! This is all over my head...all I plan or wish to do is use the lap top to stay connected to the HOF, check e-mail and maybe play a game now and then. All this stuff about GPS and navigation is WAY over my head. Willy would understand all this but I'se a simple girl. ppat

 

[MikeP]

"Mike, MacENC will output to an autopilot;"

Well I'll be darned! Never even noticed that!

 

[34Hatt]

WOW!!! This is all over my head...all I plan or wish to do is use the lap top to stay connected to the HOF, check e-mail and maybe play a game now and then. All this stuff about GPS and navigation is WAY over my head. Willy would understand all this but I'se a simple girl. ppat

LOL Well we will see a year from now maybe you will give us some Tips

 

[ron6785]

I use the att air card when cruising, like this summer. When in our hailing port, Port Aransas, Tx . Att lets me switch it to a second cell phone and only charges me 10.00 per month. We're on a plan and so there's basically no charge when in the phone mode. Most big marinas have WiFi but the card makes it easy when on the hook like Fleming Key @Key West.

 

[ppat324]

Well, between everything else accomplished yesterday... I also went to the office and asked about WI-FI. They are not set up. Today I am taking lap top with to see if I can Connect via another signal.
(That is if I dont KILL BILL before we get on the road!!!!!) LOL
I will probably end up getting an air card from ATT or Verizon... they sound the best to me. ppat

 

[mobilemn1]

Well, between everything else accomplished yesterday... I also went to the office and asked about WI-FI. They are not set up. Today I am taking lap top with to see if I can Connect via another signal.
(That is if I dont KILL BILL before we get on the road!!!!!) LOL
I will probably end up getting an air card from ATT or Verizon... they sound the best to me. ppat

Ppat,,,,the wireless modem is the best way to go,,,,,if your pc is equipped with a built in modem for wifi then its just gravy if you happen to be by a close enough wifi. Sometimes my wireless modem is faster and sometimes you can pic up a wifi thats faster,,,,,but emailing and things like that are just fine,,,,,,it may take a little longer to download a video sometimes but that is all I notice about my pc. It goes to the boat everytime I go and I do a lot of posting from there when I stay 3-4 nights while working on her

 

[ppat324]

My son in law has worked on my lap top and he tells me I am wireless and I have used Wi Fi's before but I couldnt get a signal out by the boatyard. Tomorrow I start looking for an air card. ppat

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Well, guys, I want to thank you all for the input and advice. After careful consideration and thought (and a word or two from the Captain) I cant justify an air card at this time. I have checked with ATT and Verizon and neither have any viable plans. The biggest problem is the 2 or 3 year plan. Only need for a few months during the summer. Bill is talking about putting sattelite on the boat-maybe I can somehow use that? Dont know but will find out when the time comes.
Thanks again everybody. ppat

 

[ppat324]

To all of you that dont follow the "Big Chill" thread, I was able to connect to the internet through my lap top using an air card from Cricket Wireless. From what some of the other members have posted I guess Cricket isnt available every where.
I got the air card without a contract(important to us) for $40. a month for unlimited use. We did have to purchase the modem for a $100 but it still is cheaper than going with a plan and being stuck for 2 years. So far I am happy with the use and havent found any problems with it. I will be taking it to work tomorrow to see how it transmits there, and then I will have Willy try to post pics using my air card so we know it will work on the Hatt Trick. Wish me luck with this new endevour. ppat

 

[John Savage]

Aircards are too slow, I had one for two years. I just tether into my Blackberry. Much faster, and $15 per month. Us the wifi at docks when you can find a signal.

 

[ppat324]

Thanks John... I dont have a blackberry and already tried wifi and the boat yard... didnt work. It doesnt have to be real fast, just so Willy can keep in touch on weekend and we can check e-mail. Thanks, ppat