Tablet PC and wifi antennas (1 Viewer)

lunarman

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I am thinking of replacing my vista laptop with a tablet pc for use in the van.

So the first question to be asked is what operating system should I go for Android or Windows?

Android tablets appear to be cheaper than their windows equivalent but are they the best choice for using in the van, because I may need to use a wifi antenna to pick up a signal.

So here is the real question - Does a wifi antenna work with an android tablet, assuming it has a usb connection? I am of course assuming that there would not be a problem with a windows based tablet (I may be wrong here).

So what is the recommendation of the experts here.

Lunarman
 

hilldweller

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So here is the real question - Does a wifi antenna work with an android tablet
Lunarman

Certainly not with my tablet. It has no USB socket. If I'd bought the keyboard with it that has USB ports but I still don't know if it would run a USB WiFi dongle.

Basically you've got to ask the question for any tablet you fancy.

The point is that a tablet you take to the WiFi hotspot.

I always carry a laptop first and a tablet as well, they are not totally interchangeable.

I have no idea what is on off on windows tablets, must look !
 

Bryan

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I don't think you can use a usb antenna on an android tablet for the same reason you can't connect a USB printer...there are no drivers.

With a laptop (or desktop) when you connect a USB device your operating system will install a driver - this tells the OS how to communicate with the device.

Android has no device drivers so connecting such a device will not work.

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scotjimland

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The Blacberry Playbook has a USB socket but it is not a host, it cannot be used for connecting a camera or other devices, it's primary and only function is to connect to the lappy for transferring files .. It also has a micro HDMI outlet socket which is very useful ..

I see tablets as an addition to a laptop.. not a replacement, they are useful because they are very portable and have a long battery life.. typically 7 -10 hrs ..

A good analogy is a toad with a motorhome.. useful but it doesn't replace the mh, you can't shower in the toad .. :roflmto: but it extends it's usefulness.
 
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you can use a wifi booster that acts as a personal hotspot with a tablet (or any other wifi enable device for that matter) theres a few out there on the market, of varying quality and price - one example is the iBooster, a tad pricey but an option!!

I normally take a netbook with us as i used to use autoroute a lot to plan stuff and look for places.But ive got copilot satnav on my samsung note which i find does all of what i used to do with autoroute (and more), so the netbook stayed in the cupboard - that was the last piece of software that i needed to take the netbook for... everything else is on the note

If youve got a netbook/laptop with an existing wifi booster and you have an android device - Link Removed Had a play with it and it worked quite well
 

Xan

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Got to say I dislike being charged for wifi anywhere. Especially as I already have a mobile phone with 3G.

The solution for me was to install MyWi on my iphone. It creates a wifi hotspot that any wifi enabled device can find and connect to (with security of course).

I know some use portable routers to do the same thing, but then you need another SIM card/Contract.

An iPhone must be jailbroken to use MyWi.

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beachcaster

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I cant see the benefit of a tablet over a laptop for motorhome use.
The laptop had so many advntages over a tablet.

I would carry both...........but for day to day comms I dont think you cant beat a laptop.

barry:Smile:
 

freelanderuk

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I use my Google nexus 7 with the Alfa r36 WiFi router and my long range WiFi Ariel
Similar to the I boost but cheaper and also enables you to use a 3g dongle
 

Trikimiki

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I use my samsung galaxy as my router so I have internet anywhere you have 3G, just tether it to your laptop or Ipad

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Certainly not with my tablet. It has no USB socket. If I'd bought the keyboard with it that has USB ports but I still don't know if it would run a USB WiFi dongle.

Basically you've got to ask the question for any tablet you fancy.

The point is that a tablet you take to the WiFi hotspot.

I always carry a laptop first and a tablet as well, they are not totally interchangeable.

[HI]I have no idea what is on off on windows tablets, must look ![/HI]
They look very interesting, they run office on windows 8 and have a clip on keyboard and expandable memory. A pucker version is due out next year for the enthusiast.
 

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