Make a Hotel Room Wireless
Everything you need to make that broadband connection wireless.James A. Martin
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Feature: Unwiring a Wired Hotel Room
Many hotel rooms today are wired with broadband Internet. Does that mean wireless junkies have to find a nearby Starbuck's to get their fix? Nope. The simple solution: Take a hotspot with you.
Several new and recent products allow travelers to transform a wired Internet connection--such as the ethernet hookup in a hotel or conference room--into a wireless access point. Unlike traditional wireless network routers, these devices, such as Apple Computer's AirPort Express ($129), are compact, so they're easy to travel with.
Recently, I tested Apple's AirPort Express at the W hotel in San Francisco. It was incredibly easy to set up, worked exactly as described, and had me wireless within minutes.
Why Go Wireless?
By now, you may be wondering: Why would you need to convert a wired connection into a wireless when you're on the road?
Are these serious problems facing the majority of mobile professionals? Probably not, though I think the first two reasons are fairly compelling. Do you really want to travel with yet another piece of equipment? Probably not. And yet, based on my experience with Apple's AirPort Express, I'd recommend at least considering adding a portable hotspot to your mobile tool kit.
From Wired to Wireless at the W
Apple's AirPort Express is marketed primarily as a device for wirelessly streaming music from your PC or Mac to a stereo system. Secondarily, Apple's Web site says the AirPort Express is also an ideal solution for transforming wired connections into wireless on the go. (The device uses the 802.11g standard, which is significantly faster than, but compatible with, 802.11b networks.)
For pricing, check the PC World Product Finder.
Meanwhile, the W Hotel chain has been promoting its W Wired Package, which includes an in-room wired or wireless Internet connection, three free music downloads from Apple's ITunes online music service, and more. The package adds about $25 to your hotel tab.
So I tested the AirPort Express at the W, one of my favorite San Francisco "hot spots" of the traditional kind--meaning cool people, hot music, and a great restaurant and lounge.
In Room 2608 (which cost about $275 for that Saturday night in August), I found the ethernet connection cable atop the desk. The AirPort Express must be plugged into an AC outlet, but the socket behind the desk was full. Oddly, there was a surge-protecting power strip with extra sockets available next to the bed, rather than at the desk where I needed it. I unplugged the lamp from the socket behind the desk to accommodate the AirPort Express. The Apple device, measuring 3.7 by 2.95 by 1.12 inches, protrudes outward when plugged into a socket, so I had to pull the desk away from the wall to make room.
Other than that, it was smooth sailing. I connected the ethernet cable to the AirPort Express, turned on my computer, and my notebook immediately recognized the wireless network. I ran Apple's AirPort Express Assistant utility on my notebook to set security and other network options. You can choose to protect the network with 128-bit encryption, Wi-Fi Protected Access, or no security; the device includes a built-in firewall.
Within a few minutes, I was surfing wirelessly throughout the hotel room. I was even able to connect to the wireless network with a Dell Axim X30 Pocket PC, which includes 802.11b wireless connectivity. The entire procedure was simple and straightforward--another affirmation that Apple still understands what "ease of use" means.
Other Options
The AirPort Express isn't your only portable hotspot option:
Have You Unwired?
Other than the AirPort Express, I haven't tested any of these portable wireless routers. If you have, I'd like to hear about your experiences. Send me e-mail.
Notebooks & Accessories
News: Dell Projector Offers High Brightness, Low Price
Dell's new 2300MP digital projector is priced competitively at $1499, projects images at XGA resolution (1024 by 768 pixels), and offers a brightness rating of 2300 lumens. The 2300MP isn't the lightest projector around, at 4.7 pounds, though.
Review: Toshiba's Media Center Notebook
All work and no play? Then Toshiba's Satellite P25-S670 ($2699) isn't for you. The desktop replacement notebook is also an entertainment center, including the Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition operating system, a TV-tuner module, and a handheld remote control. If you must work, you'll find that the keyboard is roomy, the screen is large, and there are two front modular bays for expansion. At nearly 10 pounds, though, it's doubtful you'll be hitting the road too often with this Satellite. (You can check our Product Finder for the latest prices.)
News: Gateway Notebooks at Best Buy
In Gateway's first deal with a major national retailer since closing its own stores, the company is now selling two thin-and-light notebooks at Best Buys in the U.S. The 4520GZ ($1399) has a 1.5-GHz Pentium M 705 processor, 512MB of memory, a 60GB hard drive, a DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, and a 15-inch display; the 4525GZ ($1599) includes the same processor, memory, and display but comes with an 80GB hard drive and a DVD+/-RW drive. Both models include integrated 802.11g wireless chips. Gateway recently announced six other new notebooks, too. For more details, read "Best Buy to Sell New Gateway Notebooks."
Gadgets & Services
Review: TV on a PDA
At the recent Democratic National Convention, PC World's Liane Cassavoy couldn't get close enough to Chris Matthews during a taping of his show--so she used her cell phone to got a good look at the Hardball host. Liane was testing MobiTV ($10 monthly), a subscription service that streams live TV to a Sprint PCS Vision cell phone. Her phone featured 21 channels, including ABC, Fox Sports, and MSNBC. Naturally, watching TV on the small screen has its drawbacks. It was difficult to follow the action in a baseball game, for instance. Still, for a TV junkie, MobiTV is an easy fix.
News: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Cellular in One Handheld
Hewlett-Packard's fall lineup of new IPaqs includes the H6300 series, the first Pocket PCs to include three major wireless technologies: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular. T-Mobile is the first carrier to offer the IPaq Pocket PC H6315, which costs $600 for existing T-Mobile customers and $500 for new customers (after a $100 rebate). The H6315 has 64MB of SDRAM and 64MB of flash ROM (with 55MB available for file storage), a Secure Digital expansion slot, a 3.5-inch color screen, a built-in camera, and a snap-on keyboard for messaging.
Review: Taking Notes on a PDA
PC World's PDA Pundit Yardena Arar spends time doodling on her PDAs--all in the line of duty. Denny recently tested two note taking and drawing applications: PhatPad ($20) on Hewlett-Packard's Pocket PC Phone Edition-based IPaq H6315, and BugMe ($20) on a PalmOne Treo 600. Her verdict: Both programs expand the kinds of things you can do with a handheld. You can scribble something in color, share handwritten notes as image files and e-mail them, and more.
Suggestion Box
Is there a particularly cool mobile computing product or service I've missed? Got a spare story idea in your back pocket? Tell me about it.