Cable Internet

[harleysneak]

Okay, so I have what probably sounds like a really dumb question. I am thinking about getting cable internet, but am wondering if it works well with a laptop and also, if it can be set up for more than one laptop (not being used at the same time). I hope that all makes sense and that someone can help me.

[supersheep]

Well, based on my experience with ADSL, it should be hunky-dory. There will be very little difference between using cable on a laptop and on a PC, unless you have vastly different qualities of equipment. As for connecting up more than one laptop at different times, the simplest way to do it is to pop the cable out of the back of one machine and into the other (anything other than that is networking, which is a significant step up in complexity).

[brian]

Cable internet should be absolutely fine - I actually looked at getting broadband from NTL last year, but unfortunately I wasn't in the area for a connection.

[ladygirl99]

Oh yes cable internet would work well and also as long you have an ethernet slot on your labtop you should be okay.

[BlackGarden]

Cable internet works fine with any computer, laptop or desktop.
Most routers that you'd receive from a cable internet provider would have 4 ethernet ports in the back, so you could connect 4 laptops simultaneously via ethernet cables, although all those wires would get annoying. You could also just have one cable, and swap the laptops around, as previous posters have suggested, but it could also get annoying shifting the laptops about just to use the internet.
I'd personally suggest setting up a wireless network, and I'm guessing that people on this forum would be more than willing to help you with that if you choose to go down that route.

[vicki2]

I just set up a wireless system for a friend. The modem was $120 at Staples, and it enables them to have all three children online with their laptops. I wasn't aware how many schools now require broadband capabilities just for homework! But the set was easy!

[matchbox20fan3]

The cable does not work well if you are going to be doing a lot of traveling with your laptop though does it, would'nt wireless work better?

[vicki2]

Cable is for home use ...most laptops come with built in wireless now so it wouldn't be a problem when travelling as long as you have easily accessed email.

[tater03]

I have looked into getting internet through our cable company recently. I would love to do this but it seems like our cable goes down way more than our phone service. If not for that I would definently get internet through the cable service.

[vicki2]

Cable is fairly reliable. I just switched back to cable from BT broadband after coming back to the States. All in all, I think the cable has been out less than BT was. Two outages for a couple of hours in three months. I don't consider that bad. But BT was faster by far.