In today’s digitized world, notebooks have become the best “workstations”. Still, despite being portable, they lack one important feature – Internet access.
Most models on the market require an access point or an external device to go online. In our age of internet-enabled toothbrushes and kettles, this sounds frustrating.
In fact, there are many people wondering how to access the Internet anywhere from a notebook. Because of this, we prepared this article so that you can know how to use 3G, 4G and 5G internet on your notebook. That way, you won’t have to worry anymore, and you’ll be connected all the time.
How to use 3G, 4G or even 5G internet on your notebook?
- If you have a 3G, 4G or 5G card chipset installed in your notebook, you simply sign up for a mobile broadband service;
- Or, connect an external 4G, 3G or 5G USB modem or connect wirelessly to a mobile hotspot.
- Finally, you can install a tethering app on your phone. In this way, you can share mobile data with your notebook.
Built-in 5G, 4G or 3G mobile broadband
In short, the vast majority of the latest notebooks and tablets offer a mobile broadband option. So, just install a 3G, 4G or 5G chipset on the notebook. After signing up for a mobile broadband service, you will have access to the internet, wirelessly.
Benefits:
- You have wireless mobile internet, already set up as soon as you buy your notebook;
- In addition, it is less intrusive than a 3G, 4G or 5G USB notebook stick.
Against
- You cannot transfer it to other notebooks or devices.
5G, 4G ou 3G Laptop Stick
If you don’t already have a built-in mobile broadband card, or want a separate device that can be used with more than one notebook, a 5G, 4G or 3G USB modem is very simple to install.
In short, it’s plug-and-play like the vast majority of USB devices. You can buy the notebook stick and subscribe to the mobile broadband plan from the wireless carrier or retailers.
Advantage
- It can be used on different devices. Some devices operate as a USB flash drive for portable storage and other useful purposes.
Disadvantage
- It sticks out of your notebook’s USB port;
- It’s easy to insert in the wrong place, or even lose.
3G, 4G or 5G mobile hotspot
In short, mobile hotspots can be hardware devices, like FreedomPop’s Freedom Spot. Or even a feature of your mobile device.
In addition, you connect your notebook wirelessly to the 5G, 4G or 3G mobile hotspot, just as you would with a Wi-Fi network or Wi-Fi hotspot. As with the other options, you will have to subscribe to a plan of mobile data to your mobile hotspot device.
Or you may also need to pay an extra “hotspot” fee in order to use your smartphone’s built-in hotspot feature. One of the great advantages of a mobile hotspot, however, is that you can usually connect more than one device to it for shared mobile Internet access.
Advantage
- In general, it can connect 5 or more mobile devices simultaneously.
Disadvantage
- You need to carry a separate device (although mobile hotspots are very thin and small, like a credit card).
cell phone tethering
In short, Tethering or Access Point is a feature that is present in mobile devices. It makes it possible to share internet data through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB cable connection.
Thus, users who are within the network will have access to the internet, using the cell phone as a router. Technology can be useful in those moments when you need internet to use an application, and you don’t have access to a Wi-Fi network.
Advantage
- You can use the data plan you already pay for on your cell phone, without having to incur extra costs.
Disadvantage
- Tethering can be slow, as well as compromising your smartphone’s battery, as it should drain faster.
Which option is best for you?
Aside from going to a Wi-Fi hotspot or internet cafe for free internet access, tethering is the cheapest option for getting internet access on your laptop when you’re not at home. If you have multiple devices or want to share a mobile broadband connection, a mobile hotspot makes the most sense. 3G, 4G or 5G laptop sticks are also convenient and easy to use.