pay as you go broadband for windows ce netbook

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jules98

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#63217 22-Jun-2010 20:26

Hi I dont know if this is in the right area, but have just bought a nice cheap netbook, running on windows ce, but am having trouble finding out if i can purchase a broadband stick for this operating system...can anyone help? am not big on tech stuff so any help appreciated cheers

johnr

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#344310 22-Jun-2010 21:06

Windows CE would not be supported it would not be easy to get a Vodem / t-stick going

Might need some Google juice on that one

John

jules98

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#344320 22-Jun-2010 21:41

cheers any suggestions what i could do...would it be worthwhile getting my operating system changed to xp etc, where i could then get a vodem stick to work?

johnr

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#344326 22-Jun-2010 21:57

Getting a Vodem to work with XP / Vista / Windows7 is going to be much easier

jules98

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#344348 22-Jun-2010 22:45

thanks...will take it to the local computer store tomorrow and see if they can change it.....thanks

kyhwana2

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#344350 22-Jun-2010 22:52

jules98: cheers any suggestions what i could do...would it be worthwhile getting my operating system changed to xp etc, where i could then get a vodem stick to work?

If it's a netbook running windows CE, it probably has an ARM CPU, which won't work with windows XP/vista/7/etc..

You could probably get linux installed on it, but I don't know how good support for vmodems are under linux..

What model netbook is it?

3g

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#344352 22-Jun-2010 22:55

I think you'll find that it's not possible to upgrade most of the CE based netbooks.

That being said, they do generally have Wi-Fi support so you could go for something like the Vodafone MiFi device:
http://www.vodafone.co.nz/shop/mobileInternetDetails.jsp?skuId=sku6920066&hardwareSkuId=&menuKey=&selectedView=standalone&selectedTab=&selectedPlanSkuId

I know it's more expensive, but I really do think you're going to be out of luck with upgrading a CE based netbook.

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johnr

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#344364 22-Jun-2010 23:43

To be honest I think you have opened a can of worms as well

michaelmurfy

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#344388 23-Jun-2010 05:17

It is possible to get Debian Linux working on these devices, except it requires a bit of hackory. From here you are able to compile the 3G Modem Drivers for Linux (if they ain't compiled already). Windows CE won't cut it and since these little netbooks have a ARM Processor in them usually clocked at 333MHz --> 400MHz they just don't have the grunt to load any advanced websites, plus with Debian running you might have a hard time loading up Firefox or a web browser without running out of Ram or CPU Resources first.

They are alright for loading up the likes of the news or something like that, but nothing really more. They are only really intended for running over Wifi or Ethernet.

As 3G Points out, possibly your only option for these kind of devices is to get a MiFi, but for the price of this you can also get a cheap Laptop or a Netbook running either XP or Windows 7 Starter (With options for Linux too)

Just think, 1.6GHz Intel Atom Processor with 1 or 2gb of Ram > 400MHz "Arm System on a chip" without a proper graphics chip, 64 or 128mb of ram etc.

Hope this helps.

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sbiddle

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#344391 23-Jun-2010 06:44

I'll be brutally honest and say those small Windows CE machines are nothing but a bad buy.

If you want mobile internet your best bet is to ditch it and buy a slightly more expensive netbook running Windows. You'll get a far superior machine that's capable of far more.

IMHO the people selling these machines are using confusion as a marketing tool. Many people don't understand the severe limitations of such a machine and see Windows thinking it can run everything,

tchart

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#344402 23-Jun-2010 07:44

johnr: To be honest I think you have opened a can of worms as well

+1

I'd agree this may be tricky but;

1) Some older vodem PCMCIA cards (the sony ericcson ones) had Windows CE drivers
2) Windows CE does support basic modems so if it has USB host and the vodem showed up as a regular modem it could work
3) You might have more luck tethering a 3G phone to it than a USB vodem, I did this years ago with a CE device (GPRS not 3G)

So if you can post some more specs and or expansion options (ie if it has card slots, USB host etc) Geekzone members may be able to help.

tchart

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#344428 23-Jun-2010 09:05

c71931f: I assume it's one of these..?
"can I use a 3g vodafone mobile connect keiki (128 ) 5:14 pm, Tue 22 Jun
it has an option to do so,but we have never tested it...we have heard people say that it doesnt accept a dongle,but maybe they havent set it up correctly?....it would be your risk....sorry we cant be anymore helpful. 5:32 pm, Tue 22 Jun"

hmm

So if it has Wi-Fi a MiFi may be simpler. Alternatively get a Nokia device with Wi-Fi (eg N95) and use JoikoSpot - I use this and its great, it turns your phone into a MiFi device (ie wi-fi hotspot)

The device appears to have USB host - although it says "limited functionality" so I assume there are limited drivers included.

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raytaylor

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#345070 25-Jun-2010 01:03

I was playing with one of these a little while ago. Its like having a 10 year old PDA. Really good for super basic stuff like email and simple sites but no good for anything more.

I came across it when i visited a clients home who said he wanted to get his daughters itunes off the home computer and onto her new laptop. I laughed and asked how much he paid - $250. Was a bit of a waste.
Its more like a kids toy than a netbook, but then again it does have some uses.

I wouldnt bother trying to get a vodem or tstick going on it. Just sell it on and get a proper netbook or eee.

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