Built-in broadband laptops explained

Not so long ago, laptops needed a separate card to connect to the internet. This was a chunky piece of plastic that plugged into the PCMCIA slot on the side of your laptop and gave you a connection to either wireless or 3G internet.

As wireless became better and more popular, wireless cards were built in to laptops to remove the need for the separate hardware. Nearly all modern laptops will have a built in wireless card, so you'll just press a "Wireless ON" button, and all the networks in range show up in your network list. If you have the password, off you go!

Built-in wireless

The demand for mobile internet has brought about another stage in laptop evolution: laptops now have USB mobile broadband technology built in. This means that the technology from a USB dongle is mounted inside your laptop, so you always have a 3G mobile connection available.

• Wire-free internet access wherever there is a mobile phone signal
• 3G access so no wireless network needed
• Internet connectivity direct from your laptop - no dongles or modems!
• All-in-one portable high-speed broadband access

Compare the best-selling internet-ready laptops at our built-in broadband laptops comparison page.

Pros
Everything is integrated - no more losing things! 100 per cent portable - your internet connection moves with you. Cheap - especially if you haggle with your mobile operator for better data charges!

Cons
Average speed of 3.6Mb and an absolute max of 21Mb - not quite enough for the most demanding users. Low monthly data allowances - not for the heavy user either. 3G is good but it's not the fastest any more - 4G is about to replace it. Coverage is limited - like your mobile, you'll need a phone mast nearby.

Data allowances

Data is probably the biggest decider, and the small data rates don't make USB internet the ideal choice for home connections.

Compare the best-selling mobile broadband deals at our dedicated USB internet comparison page.

How does it work?

The 3G SIM card and software are pre-installed on the laptop, so when you turn it on it's all ready to go. Built-in mobile broadband laptops use:

• High Speed Mobile Broadband (HSDPA)
• 3G
• GPRS networks

This means that when you are using a laptop or notebook with in-built broadband, you can rest assured that you are getting the fastest possible mobile connection.

You are not always online even if you have a laptop with built-in mobile broadband. Almost all notebooks and laptops with in-built mobile broadband have one-click access to the internet.

Built-in broadband laptops have been optimised for mobile broadband access. This means that in-built mobile broadband laptops will generally have improved battery life.

Which providers offer laptops with built-in mobile broadband?

Broadband laptops are periodically available from a selection of broadband providers, including Vodafone, Virgin Media and Orange.

Compare all built-in broadband laptops

All major laptop manufacturers also offer laptops with built-in HSDPA connectivity, or broadband enabled laptops. However, not all built-in broadband laptops on the market are currently available through a mobile broadband provider. This means that you may have to pay for your mobile broadband connection separately.