Looking for a Mini-PC for mom

Ted

Ted

The pilot formerly known as Twin Engine Ted
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iFlyNothing
My mom bought a new apartment a year ago, and doesn't have internet access while over there. I suppose she should, it would make it easier for her to eMail me and her friends. She doesn't use a computer for anything but eMail. She claims she'd like to be able to use it for other things, but I haven't seen evidence that she really cares about that.

Now having two residences, we've thought about getting her a laptop, and more specifically likely one of those mini laptops that Ed carries aroud. They're cheap, small, light, and do everything she'd need to. The one catch is that she doesn't have (and won't get) high speed internet in either place, so she needs a built-in modem (yes, she's one of those people who still has AOL).

Ideas? All the mini-PCs I've seen don't have a modem built-in. I also have no idea how reliable any of them are (that's my real question, seeing as I can easily enough search for one with a modem).
 
mini-MAC

I had gotten one for my parents when they came out. Mostly because i was tired of having to spend an hour or two each visit getting their PC back into shape from all the crap they would do to it...accidentally. The mini-MAC ran, still does actually, without problems. The only time I got a call about it was when it would not turn on. I asked my mom to make sure it was plugged in and got an earful from her about how dare I insult her, how she is not stupid and would know if something was not plugged in. As I was heading there the next week I just told her to sit tight. When I arrived I looked at the Mac, plugged it back in and it ran fine. My mom's face was red from embarrassment.

They used it just for email and a couple of simple games. The email program for the Mac is pretty simple to use and they were able to communicate.

Then add WiMAX service with a dongle or home CPE.
 
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She wants a netbook.

I strongly recommend the eee-pcs or the Acer Aspire ONE 10.1 inch netbooks.

She'll love it.
 
I have no personal experience with them, but this sounds like a perfect application for a netbook. They can be had for quite cheap (<$200) when signing up with the mobile carrier's data plan.

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/specials/netbooks.jsp



Ted DuPuis said:
My mom bought a new apartment a year ago, and doesn't have internet access while over there. I suppose she should, it would make it easier for her to eMail me and her friends. She doesn't use a computer for anything but eMail. She claims she'd like to be able to use it for other things, but I haven't seen evidence that she really cares about that.

Now having two residences, we've thought about getting her a laptop, and more specifically likely one of those mini laptops that Ed carries aroud. They're cheap, small, light, and do everything she'd need to. The one catch is that she doesn't have (and won't get) high speed internet in either place, so she needs a built-in modem (yes, she's one of those people who still has AOL).

Ideas? All the mini-PCs I've seen don't have a modem built-in. I also have no idea how reliable any of them are (that's my real question, seeing as I can easily enough search for one with a modem).
Click to expand...
 
What Nathan said; dial-up is getting harder to get and use, and the monthly cost of unlimited data plans on wireless are not outrageous. IF she's in an area served by 3G (likely), the speed is good. I use AT&T, and am reasonably happy with it.

In fact, I used AT&T 3G at 8,500 MSL a few weeks ago with reasonable success.
 
So does that work in Europe? Her second apartment is in France. :)

If it does include it, then that might be the solution.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
So does that work in Europe? Her second apartment is in France. :)

If it does include it, then that might be the solution.
Click to expand...
If you want something that works in both Europe and the US then you need to go with a UMTS or HSPA solution. That would mean you are only talking to AT&T at that point.

T-Mobile, in the US, has EDGE service which is ok for a wireless data device that is syncing email. They like to have their data customers who are using laptops go onto a WiFi AP. They do allow WiFi roaming in Europe as well as data roaming. You could look into them as well.

WiMAX in the US is on 2.5GHz and in France it is 3.5GHz, there are no dual band devices yet. But dongles are cheap. I am not sure what roaming agreements are in place yet. The roaming ability in band is available, but cross band is a little foggy as the standard was just published a month or so ago.
 
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smigaldi said:
If you want something that works in both Europe and the US then you need to go with a UMTS or HSPA solution. That would mean you are only talking to AT&T at that point.

T-Mobile, in the US, has EDGE service which is ok for a wireless data device that is syncing email. They like to have their data customers who are using laptops go onto a WiFi AP. They do allow WiFi roaming in Europe as well as data roaming. You could look into them as well.
Click to expand...

T-Mobile has UMTS in many locations abroad now, and I believe the same is true in many places in Europe as well.

And T-Mobile is much, much, much cheaper than AT&T.

They also now have a UMTS capable data card.
 
SkyHog said:
T-Mobile has UMTS in many locations abroad now, and I believe the same is true in many places in Europe as well.
Click to expand...
Yes that is the case, that is why I said "T-Mobile, in the US, has EDGE service"

SkyHog said:
They also now have a UMTS capable data card.
Click to expand...
Every one does who has adopted the technology. You can't buy chips without it included.

I am actually thinking, well be told to think about going back to T-mobile. I liked them but AT&T has better coverage where I live. But there is an "android" thing that is forcing a change of operators.
 
SkyHog said:
??? UMTS and EDGE are not the same thing...
Click to expand...
Nope.

Simply.....

UMTS is WCDMA and also covers the TDD sub versions. It is also commonly called 3G

EDGE is part of the 2G evolutions of GSM. It is still based on the same modulating scheme as GSM (GMSK) as well.

Just an FYI you are about to see "G" wars between the wireless operators. The ITU is working on IMT-ADVANCED (IMT-ADV) this is the next generation of wireless. But they do not want to call it 4G as they got burned when they called IMT-2000 3G. UMTS is part of IMT-2000 as is Spirnts and Verizons IS-2000 1x and thus is 3G, but there are some thing in IMT-2000 that people don't consider 3G. It is very politcal.

The WiMAX guys are calling their air interface based on IEEE 802.16e-2005 4G. AT&T which chairs the group that is developing IMT-ADV and advertises as a "3G network" is a little annoyed that their thunder may be usurp by a bunch of upstart wireless operators. So some marketing wars are heating up. The chair I mentioend before made a declaration at his ITU meeting that went against the members stating that only IEEE802.16m and LTE (evolution from UMTS) will be "4g". IEEE802.16m also called WiMAX2.0 has yet to be built and only exists on paper. The idea was that he could try and stop IEEE802.16e companies from stating that they are 4G. It won't work, but it will keep many of us in paper and jobs for the next 18 months.
 
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smigaldi said:
Nope.

Simply.....

UMTS is WCDMA and also covers the TDD sub versions. It is also commonly called 3G

EDGE is part of the 2G evolutions of GSM. It is still based on the same modulating scheme as GSM (GMSK) as well.
Click to expand...

Right - so saying "T-Mobile, in the US, has EDGE service" is not the same as saying "T-Mobile offers UMTS in the United States."

:D
 
This is part of the appeal of dial-up, no roaming fees.

When I was in Europe last month, I used my BlackBerry for internet access with tethering through Verizon. Got charged a fixed rate for data (1.5 GB of data use in 1.5 weeks - flat rate). My mom doesn't have a BlackBerry, and it doesn't make sense for her.

Does anyone know of an option that's pretty much worldwide and not dial-up? Otherwise I'll just have to find something with a modem.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
Does anyone know of an option that's pretty much worldwide and not dial-up? Otherwise I'll just have to find something with a modem.
Click to expand...
Give it a few decades and something might be able to meet those needs.

Right now we are at the infancy of ubiquitous wireless broadband. There simply is no world wide spectrum allocation nor is there a clear leader of what technology will meet the needs of users. It is an exciting time for technologists and a frustrating time for users.

The best solution for her maybe to get DSL in both locations with you setting up an 802.11 AP for her on a laptop.
 
smigaldi said:
Give it a few decades and something might be able to meet those needs.

Right now we are at the infancy of ubiquitous wireless broadband. There simply is no world wide spectrum allocation nor is there a clear leader of what technology will meet the needs of users. It is an exciting time for technologists and a frustrating time for users.

The best solution for her maybe to get DSL in both locations with you setting up an 802.11 AP for her on a laptop.
Click to expand...

Well, high speed isn't a requirement for her, which brings me back to dial-up that works fine with the AOL she currently has. So I guess I'm back to trying to find one that has a modem built in.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
So does that work in Europe? Her second apartment is in France. :)

If it does include it, then that might be the solution.
Click to expand...

I have an Acer Aspire one and am fairly happy with it. 3G sticks cost almost nothing and you can get a SIM for wherever you are. I use Sprint and T-Mobile in the States and O2 or T-Mobile in Europe.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
Well, high speed isn't a requirement for her, which brings me back to dial-up that works fine with the AOL she currently has. So I guess I'm back to trying to find one that has a modem built in.
Click to expand...

"Sorry mom, time to move into the 21st century..."
 
Ted DuPuis said:
My mom bought a new apartment a year ago, and doesn't have internet access while over there. I suppose she should, it would make it easier for her to eMail me and her friends. She doesn't use a computer for anything but eMail. She claims she'd like to be able to use it for other things, but I haven't seen evidence that she really cares about that.

Now having two residences, we've thought about getting her a laptop, and more specifically likely one of those mini laptops that Ed carries aroud. They're cheap, small, light, and do everything she'd need to. The one catch is that she doesn't have (and won't get) high speed internet in either place, so she needs a built-in modem (yes, she's one of those people who still has AOL).

Ideas? All the mini-PCs I've seen don't have a modem built-in. I also have no idea how reliable any of them are (that's my real question, seeing as I can easily enough search for one with a modem).
Click to expand...

I have the Acer One miniPC.. and added a VirginMobile USB 3G internet access for $150 at Best Buy and $20/month no contract for my travels. I can say.. don't renew next month.. and it waits for me to say.. ok.. pay up and start the month.. 250GB data transfer per month.

That and a gmail account and you are good to go.
She can still use AOL Web Access and pay less for not using dialup.

I've not seen any mini note books with dialup modems installed.
 
smigaldi said:
Nope.

Simply.....

UMTS is WCDMA and also covers the TDD sub versions. It is also commonly called 3G

EDGE is part of the 2G evolutions of GSM. It is still based on the same modulating scheme as GSM (GMSK) as well.

Just an FYI you are about to see "G" wars between the wireless operators. The ITU is working on IMT-ADVANCED (IMT-ADV) this is the next generation of wireless. But they do not want to call it 4G as they got burned when they called IMT-2000 3G. UMTS is part of IMT-2000 as is Spirnts and Verizons IS-2000 1x and thus is 3G, but there are some thing in IMT-2000 that people don't consider 3G. It is very politcal.

The WiMAX guys are calling their air interface based on IEEE 802.16e-2005 4G. AT&T which chairs the group that is developing IMT-ADV and advertises as a "3G network" is a little annoyed that their thunder may be usurp by a bunch of upstart wireless operators. So some marketing wars are heating up. The chair I mentioend before made a declaration at his ITU meeting that went against the members stating that only IEEE802.16m and LTE (evolution from UMTS) will be "4g". IEEE802.16m also called WiMAX2.0 has yet to be built and only exists on paper. The idea was that he could try and stop IEEE802.16e companies from stating that they are 4G. It won't work, but it will keep many of us in paper and jobs for the next 18 months.
Click to expand...

SkyHog said:
Right - so saying "T-Mobile, in the US, has EDGE service" is not the same as saying "T-Mobile offers UMTS in the United States."

:D
Click to expand...

More on why LTE is a lousy choice for 4G and why WiMAX kicks butt



And Ghery can back me up on this. The video is an incredible reproduction of what a standards meeting is like!!!
 
smigaldi said:
More on why LTE is a lousy choice for 4G and why WiMAX kicks butt



And Ghery can back me up on this. The video is an incredible reproduction of what a standards meeting is like!!!
Click to expand...

Hey, who had that video camera in my last standards meeting? :D:D:D
 
I'm in the middle of a major government WAN cutover right now - and I swear that was our last meeting!
 
The USB modem is one idea, and that might be the way to go. I'll have to look into this a bit further, but we'll see.
 
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