How does 3G service work on a computer notebook?
We just got ourselves a used 2009 Gateway 10-inch notebook, and it has 3G access, which I’ve never had before. Does anyone have this on their laptop? Is this a service you have to pay for?
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Assuming you are in the US, 3G is phone service. So you would need to sign up for a data plan with a cell carrier.
The iPhone is the most popular example of a 3G device. If they aren’t connected to nearby WiFi, iPhone users browse the web via 3G.
Typically you have to pay for 3g. On my ipad I can turn on the 3g and I pay for it as I use it, there is no contract rate with a specific amount every month. If I do not use I pay nothing. I can also use wifi for free.
Not on my laptop, but I have 3G on my phone… and pay for the data plan.
As for the 3G-equipped netbooks, those used to be given away by wireless companies… since the data plan with a two-year-contract attached netted them enough money to make it profitable despite the cost of giving away a computer.
In other words, if you want to use 3G, you will pay for 3G. Maybe a monthly plan, maybe a pay-as-you-go, but you will pay.
@jaytkay I would amend that to “smartphone” since Android has more market share than Apple . Or are you using a different definition of “popular”? :D
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