Posts Tagged ‘PC. Cons’
Smartphones vs mobile broadband
Looking for the ultimate mobile browsing experience, but not sure whether your needs are best served by a smartphone with data package or a mobile broadband account? We’re going to take a look at the pros and cons of each to help you decide.
Mobile broadband
Mobile broadband has seen a massive surge in popularity over the last few years thanks to the increasing coverage of high speed ’3G’ networks throughout the UK and some great bundle deals that include free laptops as part of the contract.
To use mobile broadband you simply need a dongle and SIM card. Like a mobile phone, mobile broadband can be purchased as either a contract or pay as you go package, the latter topped up either online or with the same PAYG vouchers as used for a phone.
Pros:
Browse on a bigger screen – since mobile broadband uses a computer it’s like browsing the web on home broadband so, unlike a phone, you can use a mouse, surf with a normal web browser or use any of your usual applications.
Use with any laptop or computer – dongles only need a USB port and have low system requirements, plus they are compatible with Mac OSX as well as Windows. They can even be made to work with Linux given a bit of extra fiddling.
Easy to setup – installation is quick and simple, a basic step by step process. And since it works with a normal computer you don’t need to learn any new software or get used to a touch-screen interface so it’s ideal for novices.
Flexible payment options – mobile broadband is available on contract and PAYG deals. The contract packages have a wide number of choices in monthly cost and data allowance, while PAYG deals include daily, weekly and monthly top-up options.
Cons:
Extra expense – if you already have a mobile phone you may not want to pay yet another monthly fee to a mobile network that’s the equivalent of a second phone.
Requires a computer – you’ll need to carry a laptop at all times in order to make mobile broadband truly mobile.
PAYG expires – pay as you go mobile broadband top-ups only last for a maximum of 30 days, even if you have data remaining on your account you’ll have to buy more credit.
Smartphones
Web browsers and 3G are standard issue on smartphones, making them mobile internet powerhouses which give you access to the whole web wherever you go (provided there is a signal, of course). They’re also becoming more popular, with increasing mass market appeal.
Recent stats show mobile browsers are responsible for just under 1% of web traffic, but considering that there are estimated to be over 1.8 billion people online around the world, that’s quite a large number of us surfing the web with a phone, and it’s growing all the time.
Pros:
Convenient – your phone is always with you and fits in a pocket. There’s no need to lug around a bulky, heavy laptop.
Affordable – it’s increasingly common for a data plan to be included in the cost of a mobile contract, and if not they can be added for just a few pounds extra. The data allowance on some plans is comparable to a mid-price mobile broadband package.
Tethering – depending on the model of phone and the terms of your data package you may be able to use the phone as a modem and browse the internet on a PC.
Cons:
Small screen and fiddly user interface – the smaller screen of a phone is obviously not the optimal way to enjoy the world wide web. The controls can also prove problematic with vastly different user interfaces across many phones. Cheap, inaccurate touch screens can also be a hindrance.
Expensive handsets – smartphone browsing is best on a high-end handset, but the cost is often a barrier to entry. The iPhone might be what many people think of when talking about smartphones, but the high monthly fees and upfront price are off-putting.
