Best Budget Devise for On-the-Road Internet Access?

[EagertobeinWDW]

I humbly admit that I'm not a strong technology user. I don't normally access the internet with any devise other than my desktop computer. But in planning our trip, I'm thinking I really would like to be able to access the internet for priceline, directions, reviews, etc. What budget-friendly devise would you purchase?

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I humbly admit that I'm not a strong technology user. I don't normally access the internet with any devise other than my desktop computer. But in planning our trip, I'm thinking I really would like to be able to access the internet for priceline, directions, reviews, etc. What budget-friendly devise would you purchase?

Are you saying "on the road" like in the car? Or just traveling in general? The must budget friendly solution would be technology without a monthly cost.

I would get a GPS for the car for directions and to find nearby restaurants/gas stations while you are driving. Then I would get a small device with WiFi to do the other things you mentioned (check email, check reviews, etc.) I would probably get a used IPod Touch for that, or an iPad if you have a bigger budget.

I have an iPhone for work that I use for all the things you mentioned and it works great...but it also costs $45/mo. And that's on the LOW end of the spectrum...most people who go through a traditional carrier pay more than that.

 

[RitaE]

If you got a WiFi tablet or something like that (Kindle Fire/Nexus 7/iPAD) you could utilize the free WiFi at McDonalds, Coffee Shops, etc.

You can get a Kindle Fire/iPAD with a data plan but that is getting up into the expensive range.

You could buy a Smartphone, activate it on one of the Pay As You Go cell plans such as Straight Talk or PagePlus, use it for the durations of your trip, and then sell the phone when you are done.

 

[cdejean10]

ATT shared data plans allow you to "piggy back" devices (ie: laptops, net books, iPads, kindles, etc) by using the hotspot connection from your mobile phone at no extra cost. Just make sure you have enough data on your plan to account for the extra access using alternate devices. You can add extra data for your trip and then reduce it back down after your trip - this results in a one time nominal increase in your monthly bill. I am doing this for an upcoming trip in next month. If you need help with this, I found that the customer service people at my local AT&T store were very accommodating.

 

[EagertobeinWDW]

A big thank you! I'm excited to check into these options.

 

[MomToOne]

I use a mobile hotspot from "Internet on the Go". It's available from Walmart. It's a pay-as-you-go plan and you only pay for the bandwidth you use - no monthly fee. It's only 3G, but that's more than enough for me to check my email, get occassional directions, etc. I don't use it for any music or movie streaming, I wait until I have regular wifi available for that.

I paid $80 for the device, and $45 for 4GB of service that should last me most of the year - and probably a lot longer - at the rate I am using it. You can get smaller amounts of bandwidth for less money, but the $45 refill card is the best bang for the buck so I went with that.

I use it with my wifi-only Nexus 7, that I am in love with My daughter can also use it with her wifi-only iPad mini, when I let her LOL

 

[amylevan]

We bought a T-mobile hotspot off of amazon. Then, we use a prepaid option where we load it with internet time before a trip. (There are different options of data and time lengths available...)

 

[ready123go]

Subbing.

We bought a T-mobile hotspot off of amazon. Then, we use a prepaid option where we load it with internet time before a trip. (There are different options of data and time lengths available...)

This sounds great!

 

[RitaE]

LifeHacker has an article on Mobile HotSpots today

http://lifehacker.com/5974761/how-t...e-hotspot-to-stay-connected-everywhere-you-go

 

[EagertobeinWDW]

This is why I love, love, love the Disboards! I am a tech-neophyte with no knowledge about how to get what I want -- a devise that lets me access the internet while traveling -- within a brief time I have a slew of people offering savvy tips! A very kind thank you! The Disney helping, happy spirit makes me I feel like I'm already there!

 

[JB2K]

I use a Virgin Mobile USB device (and buy only the airtime I need for vacation) and plug it into my laptop for the "big" stuff -- and my smartphone can be used for the little things requiring quick access...

 

[ready123go]

This is why I love, love, love the Disboards! I am a tech-neophyte with no knowledge about how to get what I want -- a devise that lets me access the internet while traveling -- within a brief time I have a slew of people offering savvy tips! A very kind thank you! The Disney helping, happy spirit makes me I feel like I'm already there!

Agreed