Aug 16 2010
Choosing an External USB Modem
If you want to take your laptop travelling and it does not come with an internal modem, buying an external USB modem is essential if you want to make sure you stay connected. Wi-Fi is of course the most common way of connecting to the internet from a laptop and when it is not available, you can often connect the network directly via a LAN cable. However in many third world countries (and indeed more remote parts of the modern world) they still rely on dial-up internet access and external USB modems are the only way you can be sure of an internet connection, wherever you are.
A 56k external USB modem will allow you to connect your computer to the internet via a phone line. Many people think of dial-up internet connections as obsolete this days but it is always useful to have a backup option for when your broadband internet connection goes down and they are vital pieces of equipment for countries that are not yet fully connected for broadband.
It used to be that you had to sign up for a monthly account in order to use the internet through an external USB fax modem but now it is more common for companies to offer ‘pay as you go’ schemes which will charge you by the minute or by the hour at the same or a slightly higher rate as making a local phone call. This makes it great for travelers connecting through their hotel phone line and occasional use where you really don’t want to be paying a monthly subscription.
When choosing an external USB modem for travelling, you’ll want to choose a model that does not require a separate power source and is small and light for easy transportation. Some modern modems are now only the same size as a USB memory stick, making them easy to throw in your bag or pocket without worrying about bulky cables or heavy power supplies.
Make sure you choose a model that is compatible with your operating system and preferably ‘plug and play’ for easy set up. The last thing you want to be doing while you’re on the road is struggling with setting up unfamiliar hardware when you don’t even have the internet to refer to for help.
A USB mini external modem is not expensive and it takes up so little space in your luggage or backpack, it’s really worth taking one along on every trip if your internet connection is important to you as you never know how reliable the broadband access at your destination will be.
You can buy an external USB modem for as little as $20 dollars and use it at home or away as required. I found this useful bit of kit to be indispensible after moving house and waiting over a month for my broadband internet connection to be installed – you may think you have no use for dial-up but having a spare external USB modem may come in handy when you least suspect it.
