Smart devices are all the rage in this era. Almost everyone votes in favor of portable devices that consume less space and are easy to carry. Among those is also a Wi-Fi dongle that people carry in their pockets to get access to the Internet while they are traveling. The dongle can connect to your smartphone, laptop and tablet.
I like to carry mine with me while traveling and make the best out of it by indulging in the Spectrum streaming of my favorite shows. If you are thinking of getting it, here’s what you need to know…
How does a Wi-Fi Dongle Work?
It is fairly simple to use a Wi-Fi dongle. All you have to do is plug the dongle into whatever device you are carrying including your tablet, smartphone or laptop. The Wi-Fi dongle sticks for mobile phones are a bit different from those for laptops but they function in the same way. Once you plug in the dongle to your device, you can even use it to share an Internet connection with others. You can also use your dongle to share and receive files from other devices.
Should I Invest in One?
For you to be able to decide whether you should be investing in a Wi-Fi dongle or not, it is essential to weigh the pros against the cons.
Advantages of a Dongle
Some of the many advantages of having a dongle include that it usually comes free if you get it with a contract. Moreover, you get to work flexibly as well if you own a dongle. Like location and time do not remain obstacles to you working. Just open up your device anywhere you are and start working. Even if you are away from the office.
The modern-day dongles and sleeker and lighter than what they were a couple of years ago. So, you do not have to worry about carrying an added weight with you. The Internet speed offered is also faster than before. In case, you are worried about the charging of your mobile dongles, good news for you. You can charge them via your computer. Thus, resolving the issue. Moreover, the mobile broadband dongles can serve a 2-in-1 function as you can use them with both computers and mobile phones.
Perhaps the most prominent advantage of using a Wi-Fi dongle is protection from hackers and cybercriminals. If you opt for connecting to the public Wi-Fi, you can be a victim of cybercrime. Therefore, do not trust those connections. As most of them are not reliable. And you do not want to give your personal information’s access to a stranger. The Wi-Fi dongle keeps your identity a secret. Hence, protecting you from hackers.
Disadvantages of a Dongle
You can face restrictions on your daily downloads if you use a Wi-Fi dongle. Apart from that, you can sometimes face a speed issue that can obstruct you from downloading heavy files. At times this can even stop you from running some applications. But this won’t be a regular issue. Moreover, the coverage of your Internet is dependent on the reception of your mobile phone.
Another issue that arises is that mobile broadband comes with limits. So, you will have to be careful while using it. Although you can use a dongle abroad it is still somewhat expensive. You would also need a USB port if you want to make use of the dongle. Some might even find dongles expensive as the companies charge you for pay-as-you-go rather than providing unlimited data.
Above all, you will also need to spot the areas where the mobile signals are strong. As the dongle performs the best in those areas.
Wi-Fi Dongles Worth Buying
Here are a couple of dongles that you should consider investing in:
- Trendnet- You will love this dongle for its high speed and great range. However, it is too bulky to carry. Especially if you are traveling abroad.
- Netgear Nighthawk- It gives the users amazing dual-band connectivity. Apart from that, it includes a desktop cradle. However, it is expensive.
- Asus USB- It comes equipped with two deployable antennas. But the performance that you will get from this dongle is mediocre.
- Edimax- It comes with a deployable antenna and offers great performance. Thus, making it a considerable choice.
- Linksys- It is compact. Thus making it very convenient to carry. Also, it offers a decent range considering its size.
You can even give your mobile data provider a call and see if they offer a Wi-Fi dongle as part of any contract. My Spectrum mobile number does not come equipped with the option to choose a Wi-Fi dongle. But I would not trade the other services that the company offers for anything. But you can check with your mobile service provider.
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