Bluetooth or Wifi ???

[RevJB]

ok, opinions <experience> please.

Clie UX50 + PC Computer.

Purpose, to be able to go ONLINE and Internet CHAT using the Clie while in bed.

I can easily use the PDA in the dockbase for power because PC is 2 feet away from bed <grin>.

Anyway, CONSIDERATION, COST and FUNCTION

Thoughts?

[rcxAsh]

Cost wise, Bluetooth. You can get a Class 2 bluetooth adapter quite cheap. Maybe even something like $30 if you get a good find.

Unless, of course, if you already have a wifi access point.. but I assume you don't since you're asking this question?

Expandibility wise, you may want to get a WiFi access point (you can later use it if you get a wireless laptop or something, or expand your home network).

In the same way, if you go bluetooth, you may want to then consider getting a class 1 bluetooth adapter, or a bluetooth access point. You will have a longer range. These obviously will cost you more.

Function wise, I'd think that either would be okay, since you have a UX50. Bluetooth will probably be lighter on the battery, but since you're going to be plugged in, that's not much of a factor, is it?

Actually, after writing this, I remember now. WiFi may actually be the same price, if not cheaper. Check out TigerDirect.ca. Sometimes they have some really good deals on WiFi routers.

Oh, benefit about WiFi router, or bluetooth access point. You save money on your energy bills, because your computer does not need to be on to function. This is yet another thing to consider.

I have both a class 1 bluetooth adapter, and a wifi router. Since i have a UX40, I find myself using the Bluetooth adapter when my computer is on. If my computer is off, I use the WiFi memory stick.

Those are my thoughts, at least...

edit2
I just quickly checked out the front page of TigerDirect.ca's wifi page. The great prices that I saw some time back aren't there anymore, but there is one 802.11b router for some $43.99 Canadian. If you end up spending some $30 on a bluetooth adapter, you may want to consider just spending an extra $14 to get a router, which you can use in many more ways in the future (eg, laptop, home network).

[JAmerican]

I think it depends on your own preference. If you never incounter WiFi and aren't interested in WiFi, get a UX40 but if you do incounter WiFi and use it @ home or the office. I recommend the UX50. WiFi is faster but Bluetooth is way more transportable. Bluetooth is better on the road. WiFi is better when stationary.

JAmerican

[cerberus]

Here are my two cents. I'd agree with rcxAsh. Just spend a few extra $$ and get a wifi router. You'll probably use it later on, it provides some additional security, and you'll be able to get online/hotsync/chat on your UX. I'm not saying Bluetooth is a bad choice, but it can sometimes be a little bit of a pain setting up the first time. Really, it's just your preference. Plus, when was the last time you were anywhere that had a Bluetooth access point? Wifi is much more prevalent these days.

EDIT: Damn it, get both. No need to squibble over which is better. Have it all!!!!! :D

[JAmerican]

Wifi nor Bluetooth are better. They are both equal. WiFi is faster but limited to a cetain area. Bluetooth is slower but allows you to bring the internet with you. As Cerberus just said, get both, you'll be glad you did. Better to be safe than sorry.

JAmerican

[palo1]

Re Tigerdirect.ca -->"grey" market - no CDN warranty except through them - they are actually based in the US - if you are in the GTA, I could reccommend a cheap local chain whose prices are extremely low (best I've seen)

p

[Srcguy]

I agree with posts above.... get both.... get a th55/e

Please don't flame me.,.. only joking... I realise you will want a built in keyboard to do what you want....

Having both is great though. If you only want to use it around the house, I say set up a wirless network. Bluetooth you can add later if use on the road is only a secondary priority.

[RevJB]

Ash- and everyone-

Ok, I like the Wifi idea. Clear something up, costs in my area are:

Bluetooth $45
Wifi Router - $100

Anyway- I bought a Wifi Router, BUT the ports are RJ45 (cable) "NOT" Serial (DIAL-UP)

So that has to go back...

ASH, you said you can access the internet WITHOUT the power of the PC being on....did you ONLY mean IF you have DSL or Cable Internet or an external modem?

CAN YOU CONNECT to internet with DIAL-UP service using the CLie UX50 WITHOUT the PC Being ON ???

That's the question-

Thank,
Jim

[JAmerican]

Ash- and everyone-

Ok, I like the Wifi idea. Clear something up, costs in my area are:

Bluetooth $45
Wifi Router - $100

Anyway- I bought a Wifi Router, BUT the ports are RJ45 (cable) "NOT" Serial (DIAL-UP)

So that has to go back...

ASH, you said you can access the internet WITHOUT the power of the PC being on....did you ONLY mean IF you have DSL or Cable Internet or an external modem?

CAN YOU CONNECT to internet with DIAL-UP service using the CLie UX50 WITHOUT the PC Being ON ???

That's the question-

Thank,
Jim

Lets clear some thing up here. ;)

WiFi Routers only have RJ-45 ports (ethernet cable ports). You need Cable or DSL to use a WiFi Router. In order to use the internet via the WiFi router and have your PC off, you need DSL or Cable, Dial-up of course needs your PC to take in the signal and configure it to work for you as internet service. DSL and Cable do that in their little towers. DSL uses a phone line but you need to sign up via the Phone service for DSL. I heard Verizon Wireless DSL is good. I have Optimum Online, which is the fastest internet service you can get right now (for customers). It's double the price of Verizon DSL but the its way faster. It uses a Cable so you need to sign up for that service through your cable service.

JAmerican

[rcxAsh]

Ash- and everyone-

Ok, I like the Wifi idea. Clear something up, costs in my area are:

Bluetooth $45
Wifi Router - $100

Anyway- I bought a Wifi Router, BUT the ports are RJ45 (cable) "NOT" Serial (DIAL-UP)

So that has to go back...

ASH, you said you can access the internet WITHOUT the power of the PC being on....did you ONLY mean IF you have DSL or Cable Internet or an external modem?

CAN YOU CONNECT to internet with DIAL-UP service using the CLie UX50 WITHOUT the PC Being ON ???

That's the question-

Thank,
Jim
Ah, my fault. I was under the assumption that you were using some form of an always-on internet connection.

However. I still think that you should be able to get a WiFi router working without having your computer on with a dial-up connection. The question is whether or not you have the right kind of router. The router that I have, has a serial port connection for a modem. I've never used this, but I assume that this could be what you would need. My box reads, "There's a built in Serial Port for dial up ISDN or Modem backup in case your Cable/DSL connection fails or when it is not available."

Thus, I'd assume that it would work without a Cable/DSL modem all together.

My router is an older Hawking Technology one... WR254S.

I've never used a serial modem with my router, however. So you may need to get some advice and opinions from experts.

Either way, however, yes, you will still need an external modem. In this case, an external serial modem.

Or, I wonder if there are routers out there with built-in serial modems? At least, if they make routers with serial-ports, then I don't see why not...?

[Nimiety]

I use wireless at home and it's very convenient and fast enough to be tolerable compared to a desktop. Bluetooth in my area is not very practical - you pay by the kb transferred, so forget casual browsing, plus the costs are outrageous ($30 for one meg a month!) Hopefully there will be better options some day before the ux5o is supplanted by the next best thing...

[cruzan]

Ah, my fault. I was under the assumption that you were using some form of an always-on internet connection.

However. I still think that you should be able to get a WiFi router working without having your computer on with a dial-up connection. The question is whether or not you have the right kind of router. The router that I have, has a serial port connection for a modem. I've never used this, but I assume that this could be what you would need. My box reads, "There's a built in Serial Port for dial up ISDN or Modem backup in case your Cable/DSL connection fails or when it is not available."

Thus, I'd assume that it would work without a Cable/DSL modem all together.

My router is an older Hawking Technology one... WR254S.

I've never used a serial modem with my router, however. So you may need to get some advice and opinions from experts.

Either way, however, yes, you will still need an external modem. In this case, an external serial modem.

Or, I wonder if there are routers out there with built-in serial modems? At least, if they make routers with serial-ports, then I don't see why not...?

My wireless router has a serial port for a modem. It works great, if the DSL ever goes down it automatically connects with the modem on demand.

It is a D-Link, one of the larger ones with a print server.

[cruzan]

Proxim used to make an access point that was actually just a modem. It was cool but do not know if they sell it anymore.

[Nykopol]

I have one computer at home + UX50. I managed to do a bluetooth home network very easily following step by step this : http://www.whizoo.com/bt_setup/
with a usb BT key.
I can connect directly to internet through this with my UX50.
The question is : can I do the same with a Wi-Fi usb key (a friend of mine borrowed one to me) ? :confused:

[rcxAsh]

I don't know the answer to your question directly... but I know that there is a type of WiFi infrastructure where there is no centeralized router. An ad-hoc setup. If you set this up, you may be able to get some kind of internet sharing setup. Unfortunately, I don't know how. But if you look up stuff on ad-hoc setups, maybe that could help.

I just did a quick google, and found this on Microsoft's site (assuming you're using Windows XP here)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/bowman_02april08.mspx

From glancing over that, it looks like most of the setup should be on your Windows XP computer. Then making an ad-hoc connection to your computer, it looks like you should get an internet connection..

[Nykopol]

Thank you very much for your help : I tried it and it works perfectly (however I hadn't the windows mention by that woman on XP).
Now I have also a Wifi home network through a USB Key.

Thanks a lot.

:)