Hi all

we are due to land in Nova Scotia on the 12th May. The hotel we've booked (Dartmouth Best Western) states free internet access in the room description. I'm assuming this means I can bring a laptop and access the internet for free . But how does that work, do i need some kind of wire ? I'm borrowing my sisters laptop which she connects via wireless thingy at home, so can i bring just the laptop or do i need other stuff to access free internet ? Sorry if I'm being really thick here but I've not ever had a laptop and only know about my comp in my house

Thanks in advance for any help, I sooo think we need to stay connected whilst there.

Traci

Hi Traci,

we stayed in a best western, but took all the wiring for connecting to the internet as the laptop wouldnt connect wirelessly. the service was good though, you will need an access code from reception to connect.

have a fab time, we stayed in vancouver and of all the hotels this was the nicest for the budget

kae

It will probably be WiFi in the hotel, but bring an RJ45 cable just in case (or the cables cost about $30).

If it isn't free wireless internet access (for which you'll only need the laptop) then the hotel reception will usually hire-out/lend network cables.

Do you mean that's what a hotel would charge you? We've always been lent them free of charge on the rare occasions that we've needed one. $30??? What a rip off, considering a 6' cat 5e cable costs about $2.50-3.00!

Free access doesn't always mean free usage.

It sounds like your sister's laptop is already equipped for wireless, so you are pretty much ready to go. She probably has a USB cable too. Take that just in case the hotel isn't wireless.

Just checked their website:

High-speed Internet access hard wired and Wi-Fi in all rooms

Your laptop will be able to connect to their wireless network and access the internet that way, so you needn't worry about having a network cable.

No, that is what Future Shop charge for a cable (any cable, it doesn't seem to matter what kind/length). A rip off, I agree, but it is Future Shop.

Just for future reference for people considering a Future Shop cable rip off - if you're willing to wait a couple of weeks www.monoprice.com have every cable imaginable and deliver to Canada - extremely reasonable too!

PMSL

I was giving the price we usually pay for 6' network cables, but the same place sells 3' ones which would be fine for hotel use where the socket is right on/by the desk, and they're $1.25 each: http://www.directcanada.com/products...e=STARTECH.COM

Wow, they are a good price, thanks - we order loads of cables so I'm sure the shipping cost would cancel out in quantity

Just remember that if they're not NAFTA made, you'll pay duty on them and of course sales tax.... They don't seem to bother for small quantities, but would do on a bulk order I would think....

Thanks so much everyone for your replies.


Traci

Hotels offering Free Internet access will either be Wi-Fi (of which your laptop has) or they supply an ethernet cable to plug in. Unless you're staying at the Bates Motel then you shouldn't have to take your own cables.

Dollar store sell cables too...