Travelling share trader

[GR8DAY]

....hi all. Just after some advice please........not being toooooo computer savvy. Im wanting the ability to travel in NZ (by campervan, boat etc) while retaining contact ANYWHERE via laptop with markets and trading on a daily basis......is this possible? Can anyone, (please not everyone) advise the best, cheapest, most reliable way to go. Is there a better laptop to go for.....how many of those giggybite things will I need etc etc. I dont want to have to rely upon "hot spots".....what about satellite?? Yea, dumb I know.

[Nevl]

Best bet would to get the Telecom XT usb modem to plug into your lap top while you are travelling but its not cheap to buy and plans are a pain. Maybe they have a pay as you go option but this will add up fast and the cost of the usb modem is expensive. Still compare options with Vodaphone but Telecom has better coverage. Remember large parts of the West Coast have no mobile coverage at all and are popular places to travel too so you are reliant on internet cafes and wifi hotspots.

Good luck. I used to drive a Backpacker bus and used the Telecom mobile broadband.It was ok and was ok for long trades but would want to Day trade.

[CJ]

Agree with the XT usb modem - they have the best coverage. Compare with Vodafone though. 2Degrees currently isn't high speed and very expensive. Satellite would be far to expensive. You will need a computer as good as what you are currently using (if you are using a laptop already, then there is no need to change).

[foodee]

....hi all. Just after some advice please........not being toooooo computer savvy. Im wanting the ability to travel in NZ (by campervan, boat etc) while retaining contact ANYWHERE via laptop with markets and trading on a daily basis......is this possible? Can anyone, (please not everyone) advise the best, cheapest, most reliable way to go. Is there a better laptop to go for.....how many of those giggybite things will I need etc etc. I dont want to have to rely upon "hot spots".....what about satellite?? Yea, dumb I know.

For what it is worth I use telecom mobile broadband as I do extented
fishing stint for 5 months of the year all over nz - at present on way to to salmon fishing
in the south island. I find it adequate for my needs both at home and
when I am away. Speed varies with reception and your needs may be different.
Two points:-
[1] Power to charge/supply your lap top.
[2] If you are using microsoft vista - you need at least 3Gig RAM. I use
a Toshiba Sat.

Cheers

[peat]

there will possibly be some 'holes' in coverage. I support people who use remote access in the Sth Island and they do complain about being dropped etc occasionally.
The main thing with wireless in NZ is the expense of the data. But there were some good plans being offered over Xmas period by Telecom, I believe they were even giving away the USB modem stick if you bought a certain amount of prepaid data... but if you're going to be using it a bit I would imagine you will want to investigate the plans they have on offer...

[GR8DAY]

....many thanks you brainy fellas....Im feeling a bit more educated now and wont appear so dumb when I visit some retailers today. Ill be checking out plan and T-stick prices .....just heading south for a few weeks and plan on having the laptop paid for with travelling profits......LOL....here's hoping!

[BRICKS]

BRICKS is travelling at the moment and to use the laptop went to DICK SMITHS and bought
a Vodafone Blue stick and its working but then found that there are Public Nodes so
getting for free so out with the blue stick until we move ON..

[GR8DAY]

hi Bricks......whats the Blue Stick costing say per day/per hour to use and what did it cost initially from Dick? Are you getting good coverage down sth or up nth??

cheers

[BRICKS]

hi Bricks......whats the Blue Stick costing say per day/per hour to use and what did it cost initially from Dick? Are you getting good coverage down sth or up nth??

cheers

AT the moment not using it as explained using a public nod don't ask me where it come from
because I don't KNOW..

[Heke]

Some extra thoughts on the good advice already given.

Turn off automatic updates on your laptop when using a mobile T stick to save using up your costly data allocation. You can always do updates when you get home.
As for charging your laptop, take your normal charger with you. Buy a 12V to 230V 150W inverter from Dick Smith costing $50 (I am assuming you have a 12V campervan). You can then charge your laptop from your campervan while you drive.
Happy travelling.

[foodee]

Regarding inverter, unless you are using printer
you do not need a 'pure sine wave' model. Most
modified sine wave will do the job. A 300watt
one will increase your range of applications.

cheers

[Phaedrus]

The advantage of getting an inverter is that it can be used for other things such as your cellphone charger, for instance.

However, if you want to make efficient use of your power, a better method is to use a 12 volt laptop power supply. These are available brand-new on TradeMe at prices ranging from just $17 to $90 depending on their maximum current output. Laptops vary widely in their current requirements, so make sure you select a converter that is adequate for your needs. They can all be set to the appropriate output voltage 15/16/18/19/20/22 etc and come with a large selection of plugs to suit most every laptop.

With adequate solar panels installed, you will be totally independent of mains power and never need to run the motor to charge your batteries.

[GR8DAY]

hey cheers guys ...this all sounds like excellent and very applicable info'. still havnt purchased anything as we are still attending to other adjustments on the camper. just did a quick overnighter to whangamata from tauranga and she is just brilliant. no holding up traffic with this baby...2.5T/Diesel peugeot......previous owner reckons he hit 140ks in it on the french auotbarhn!!!! Anyway what about trading shares via laptop on a bike?? LOL.....but slightly serious.

[percy]

when i travel to aussie i use free internet at public libraries.
free in nz libraries too.

[trackers]

I was looking at mobile broadband for a mate a while ago, Vodafone looked like the cheaper option by far (on a plan, rather than prepaid)

[midas]

I am also about to embark on a life on the road and sea and have been looking to set myself up to be able to trade/monitor my holdings on the move. I think I will continue with Slingshot as their service is good and seems to be cheaper than the big boys. They are a NZ company though they use Vodafone. Their mobile internet rate is $22.95 for 200MB a month.
I'm pretty ignorant around computers, but one thing that seems to vary a lot is battery life. I noticed a Samsung model in Aus recently that gives 9 hours. Around six is seen as a feature in a lot of basic models available here. Apparently LED screens use less power.
Thanks for the advice around 12V and 230v, inverters etc. Thats blown away quite a bit of fog around this area.

[peat]

battery life

adjust screen brightness down as much as possible when trying to conserve battery power. makes quite a difference even if it isnt as visually attractive.

[GR8DAY]

...keep it coming please........still deciding. thanks Midas, sligshot might be the way to go based on costs then?