Laptop connection

[Gumshoe]

could somebody please provide me with advice?

I intend to take my laptop on our next visit to Florida, June 29th (Ohh yeessss baby, can't wait). However I am unsure as to what would be the best means of connecting to the net.

Advice please?

 

[Aceman88888]

I took my laptop with me a few weeks ago as I needed to be able to download my digital pics.

After advice from this board, I signed up to an American ISP with a local (free) access number for Kissimmee. The ISP I chose was Access-4-free (https://www.access-4-free.com) which cost me $5 for 10 hours online and $1 per hour thereafter.

I needed a US adaptor for my modem cable which I got from PC world for less than a fiver.

Most villas (and ours!) have a telephone with free local calls feature so I just plugged the line in and dialled (EASY!!!!). No activating the phoneline with a credit card or anything!!!

Its very important to get the local access no. though otherwise this will not work.

On a final note, Just my laptop & soft case was 5.5kg and I had to desperately plead with the checkin both ways to let me take it on as hand luggage. PSU and bits 'n' bobs had to go in the case!

 

[Gumshoe]

Just had a lokk at that site, its looks a good option. Am I right in thinking that once you sign up, you pay nothing until you use the service, then its 10 hours free and $1 an hour thereafter?

Also what airline did you fly with, never thought they would try and stop me using laptop case as hand lugage. What was their gripe, the weight or size?

regards Gumshoe

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

If you are not able to use a local ISP I've found that the wireless broadband access offered by companies such as Starbucks or Boingo worked very successfully. We used it from the hotels we stayed at in San Francisco and LA, and found it usefull and fun to be able to stay in touch with family and friends.

Regards

Rob

 

[Aceman88888]

Hey Gumshoe,

Charges I paid were for just a one off charge which was $10 to activate and then on a PAYG of $1 per hour after 10 hours. No monthly cost.

Our Airline was Mytravel and they say the reason for the 5kg limit is in case it falls out of the overhead locker and hurts someone. I was amazed my laptop & soft case could weigh so much!

 

[thefoxes]

Hello ACEMAN,

A quick question.........how did you find the flight with MYTRAVEL and which airport did you fly out from ?

I am flying out on the 12 July from Birm with MYTRAVEL - just wandered how you rated it !

Also i never thought about taking my laptop - a good idea to keep your smart media card clear..!!

 

[Aceman88888]

Hi,

Flight was out of manchester Terminal 1. Departure lounge a serious dump-spend as little time there as possible.

Flight was on a DC10..... you should get an Airbus. The DC10 was very old but the staff polite, both landings on time (departures <1 hour late), food was quite poor both ways, headphones dirt cheap (1.50). Films were equiv of new rental release in uk including treaure planet, chicago, catch me if you can, etc etc.

Airtours (Mytravel) flights have duty free far cheaper than either alpha retail at Manchester or Sanford especially cigarettes.

Fair bit of turbulance both ways and usual dozen or so muppits who refuse to adhere to the seatbelts sign.

Arrival and sheep herding USA style surprisingly quick and were in the hire car in approx 40 mins from landing. Even the Immigration people seemed to have at long last been sent to beginners charm school.

Hope that helps!!!!

Enjoy your Trip !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[thefoxes]

Thanks for the Info.

Why do you think we shall have an Airbus, do these always fly from Birm ?

 

[Aceman88888]

With regard to the planes, according to their fleet detail the only DC10 left on the Sanford route was the one we were on from Manchester. I think they have a few more DC10's but not on this route.

Comparing the two is not possible but contrasting would take me all day!