Laptop requirements for wireless

[cubsfan61]

Hi. I'm considering purchasing some data minutes from Holland (even though all the reviews talk about how slow the speed is). I thought I read somewhere that they install a card in your laptop to allow access. Is this just for laptops that might not have wifi built in (although there aren't many these days)? I have a 13 in. Macbook which has 802.11n, but has no slots available for any kind of network card. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!!

Kevin

[richwmn]

Hi. I'm considering purchasing some data minutes from Holland (even though all the reviews talk about how slow the speed is). I thought I read somewhere that they install a card in your laptop to allow access. Is this just for laptops that might not have wifi built in (although there aren't many these days)? I have a 13 in. Macbook which has 802.11n, but has no slots available for any kind of network card. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!!

Kevin
I am not sure if they support 802.11n, but they do support 802.11b/g. "Most" wireless adapters are downward compatible, so yours should be able to work. If not, many usb based wifi adapters should work with your MacBook

What model is your MacBook?

Rich

[cubsfan61]

It's the newer aluminum unibody model. Yes, it is downward compatible with 802.11 g and b so should be fine. So do they just do some configuration on your machine so that it can access their network? Hope they are familiar with Macs.

Also have an iphone with wifi, but haven't seen any discussion of using "smartphones" to access the wireless network on the ship. If you pay for the minutes, would you be able to access via laptop and phone?

[YXU AC*SE]

HAL's onboard SSID is 'mtndsi'. Connect to it, and no additional configuration required. And your iPhone / iPod Touch will work as well.

My best advice for speed is surf from your room in off-peak hours. Remember satellite-based internet is really just a giant shared connection, so the "garden hose" principle applies.

Scott.

[richwmn]

It's the newer aluminum unibody model. Yes, it is downward compatible with 802.11 g and b so should be fine. So do they just do some configuration on your machine so that it can access their network? Hope they are familiar with Macs.

Also have an iphone with wifi, but haven't seen any discussion of using "smartphones" to access the wireless network on the ship. If you pay for the minutes, would you be able to access via laptop and phone?

HAL's onboard SSID is 'mtndsi'. Connect to it, and no additional configuration required. And your iPhone / iPod Touch will work as well.

My best advice for speed is surf from your room in off-peak hours. Remember satellite-based internet is really just a giant shared connection, so the "garden hose" principle applies.

Scott.
As Scott said, there is no configuration necessary. Go to the "Airport" icon on the upper right side of the screen and click on it. Select mtndsi and click connect - there is no password here. Bring up Safari (or Firefox) and you will get a login screen. Your username is LastnameCabinNumber and the default password is your booking number. When you first login you will be asked what plan you wish --
$3.95 to sign up
$0.75/minute or
$55 for 100 minutes plus 10 bonus on the first day
$100 for 250 minutes plus 20 bonus on the first day
and you will be required to change your password. From then on you must login via a browser in order to use the internet. Make sure you logout by going to 1.1.1.1 in your browser or the meter keeps running.

Enjoy your cruise.

Rich