tablet connectivity

[pistonbroke1957]

Evening all
I need to get a cheap tablet for use on site.
Wi-Fi will not always be available.so I understand I need one that's 3g enabled via sim card.
These do seem to be a good bit more expensive though,so my question is this.
If I use an internet dongle does the tablet still need to be 3g enabled and are there any
advantages or disadvantages to this method ?
Cheers

[breatheasy]

I use a 3g dongle,£15 a month for 10 gb with both my tablets ,not a problem.I think both where enabled already (though i.t. is my weakest subject by a long way). Anyhow 10 gb is usually plenty but you can top up if needed.
I bought tab. in argos ..straight into 3G store ...sorted. Second tab. just the argos bit and I was away.

[philprime]

3 mobile sell a mobile wifi dongle runs on a 3G SIM card, you can get some good deals on it.

Also depending on what mobile phone you have have some can be used as a personal wifi hotspot

[Someone-Else]

Make sure your tablet can have a dongle plugged in? I have a Samsung tablet, it has a sim card slot, not a USB port for a dongle.

[BillyGoat]

Look for MiFi.

BG

[breatheasy]

3 mobile sell a mobile wifi dongle runs on a 3G SIM card, you can get some good deals on it.

Also depending on what mobile phone you have have some can be used as a personal wifi hotspot

That's the one I meant Phil when I said "3g"....(not my subject at all ,it's a miracle I can post this l
But ,yeah that's the company I use and it's been great t.b.f.

[Bob225]

you can connect a tablet to most smartphones over wifi or Bluetooth whats simple enough to setup or you could go the mifi route but that more money and can be more involved to setup

[breatheasy]

Make sure your tablet can have a dongle plugged in? I have a Samsung tablet, it has a sim card slot, not a USB port for a dongle.

The dongle is wi-fi.The sim card goes in the dongle ,switch on ...no u.s.b. required.

[Someone-Else]

The dongle is wi-fi.The sim card goes in the dongle ,switch on ...no u.s.b. required.

oh. what powers it then? (No, no sarcasm, I really don't know. Only dongles I have seen are USB)

[breatheasy]

No sarcasm presumed S.E. The dongle has it's own charger,charge that up and good to go ...lasts a considerable time also.

[pistonbroke1957]

Thanks for all the answers guys.
Think i'll go the Dongle route

[Bob225]

to be pedantic a dongle plugs in, A Personal wifi hotspot is what you require along the lines of a MiFi http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/broadband ... stBid=tztx

or

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/broadband ... rcid=11026

plug in the usb lead (supplied) set it up and its a simple as 1 botton touch to use it

[breatheasy]

Pedantry greatly appreciated Flash.That first link is the exact rascal I 've got...well to be equally pedantic ...mine's black Anyhow ,that's the thing ,I thought it was called a dongle (many have) ,whatever though it's the business.

[Bob225]

The MiFi are easy to unlock to any network for free just google it, I have done a few of them

dongles go back to the days of parallel and serial ports - aka security keys I remember ones on the bbc B's and bbc master