[kknight0506]

Any one used data cards for running net on their laptops ? am not sure about their performance so any insight to these would be helpful.

[Dave Hybrid]

What do you mean 'Data Cards'? Please explain.

[alex]

I'm assuming you mean datacard's sold (on a monthly contract) by companies such as O2, Vodaphone etc?

If so. Firstly very expensive per mb although this is dropping. But as its full internet pages not the cut down crap you receive on your mobiles you can go through your monthly entitlement at a rather rapid rate.

Before purchase I strongly suggest you look very carefully at 3G network speed and coverage. The handover between 3G, GPRS and, in more cases nowadays, Wi-Fi networks.

Also, choose your provider very carefully if you're going to be using it a lot.

A for instance: Traffic across a network is handled differently by suppliers. With Vodaphone the traffic goes through a proxy. This means any Jpeg images you send are resampled. This usually means a loss of image quality. This is because Vodaphone compress certain traffic to free up bandwidth. Nice eh?

Before purchase, read the small print.

[kknight0506]

you are right alex, thats what i am talking about. i am planning of going for a data card because i am always on the run and my laptop needs to be connected to the net even while i am travelling. so this seems to be the only solution.

[alex]

From your point of view I feel its the best option.

Have a nosey at the providers sites THEN google for feedback.

Again, know exactly what you're buying before purchase. Can't emphasise that enough. Considering the continuing cost to you, you don't want to be lumbered with a service that doesn't fulfil your needs.