Portable Wifi vs Mobile Hotspot

[dddave]

Is there any advantage to using a portable Wifi device over using a mobile phone hotspot?

 

A friend lives in an old building with no internet availability.  She has a decent laptop but no way to use it online.  

it appears from what I read on this forum, her best inexpensive option would be a portable wifi (recommendations?) and a 12 month SIM package.

Edited February 6, 2021 by dddave

[Eindhoven]

Problem with mobile phone is that it will drain your battery and it isn't really designed for long term usage.

MiFi will set you back around 1400 baht. Fixed 4G Router from around the same to around 2000 baht.

 

DTAC unlimited 10 Mbps 12 month SIM 1300 baht.

 

https://shopee.co.th/Huawei-Mobile-wifi-Dongle-Lte-Wifi-Router-Pocket-WiFi--E5573-320-4G-แอร์การ์ด-โมบายไวไฟ-ไวไฟพกพา-AIS-DTAC-TRUE-E5573-i.42603351.2230514654

 

https://shopee.co.th/Huawei-WiFiแบบพกพา-WiFi-E5573-322-Unlock-Mobile-Wifi-Router-E5573-150mbps-4G-LTE-Router-i.17705142.770180418

 

Fixed router: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/zte-4g-lte-wireless-sim-router-wifi-router-ais-true-dtac-my-mf253s-wifi-fast-speed-i829236834-s1698948957.html

 

 https://shopee.co.th/TP-LINK-TL-MR6400-Ver-4.0(เสาแบนรับส่ง3G-4G-เวอร์ชั่นใหม่ล่าสุด)ประกันศูนย์-3ปี-4G-Routerใส่Simมี-LAN-4-PORT-300Mbps-i.42614693.736654165

 

https://shopee.co.th/เราเตอร์ใส่ซิม-TP-LINK-300Mbps-Wireless-N-4G-LTE-Router-รุ่น-TL-MR6400-เราเตอร์ใส่ซิมปล่อยwifi-i.140464136.9913620216

 

SIM: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/10mbps-dtac-12-i1929192284-s6099702345.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[soi3eddie]

 

I have a 200 Baht per month AIS SIM card with unlimited data at 10mbs. When I cannot be bothered to carry my TP-Link 4G router to where I'm going, I just install the SIM in an old Galaxy S9 phone and use it as a hotspot. So long as it's plugged into a charger it stays connected forever. It can get a bit warm though ???? 

 

[Opossum]

Eindhoven mentioned points +

the Portable Wifi Hotspot has a few useful functions same as a normal wifi router e.g. MAC blocklists, encryptions etc... which I haven't seen so far on mobile phones. In case you are not always online with your phone, the connectivity use to break and than all the fuzz again. And the most important thing is that the user-interface is so much better than a smartphone.

[dddave]

15 hours ago, Eindhoven said:

Problem with mobile phone is that it will drain your battery and it isn't really designed for long term usage.

MiFi will set you back around 1400 baht. Fixed 4G Router from around the same to around 2000 baht.

 

DTAC unlimited 10 Mbps 12 month SIM 1300 baht.

 

https://shopee.co.th/Huawei-Mobile-wifi-Dongle-Lte-Wifi-Router-Pocket-WiFi--E5573-320-4G-แอร์การ์ด-โมบายไวไฟ-ไวไฟพกพา-AIS-DTAC-TRUE-E5573-i.42603351.2230514654

 

https://shopee.co.th/Huawei-WiFiแบบพกพา-WiFi-E5573-322-Unlock-Mobile-Wifi-Router-E5573-150mbps-4G-LTE-Router-i.17705142.770180418

 

Fixed router: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/zte-4g-lte-wireless-sim-router-wifi-router-ais-true-dtac-my-mf253s-wifi-fast-speed-i829236834-s1698948957.html

 

 https://shopee.co.th/TP-LINK-TL-MR6400-Ver-4.0(เสาแบนรับส่ง3G-4G-เวอร์ชั่นใหม่ล่าสุด)ประกันศูนย์-3ปี-4G-Routerใส่Simมี-LAN-4-PORT-300Mbps-i.42614693.736654165

 

https://shopee.co.th/เราเตอร์ใส่ซิม-TP-LINK-300Mbps-Wireless-N-4G-LTE-Router-รุ่น-TL-MR6400-เราเตอร์ใส่ซิมปล่อยwifi-i.140464136.9913620216

 

SIM: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/10mbps-dtac-12-i1929192284-s6099702345.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great list.  Thanks for taking the time.

[prophet01]

I often use my mobile phone's hotspot function as my only home wi-fi for all my home devices, TV, laptops etc. for prolonged periods and have never experienced any issues doing so. When I'm travelling for weeks, staying at hotels, I'll use it as my only connection for the laptop. Just need to keep it on charge.

 

 

[prophet01]

3 hours ago, prophet01 said:

I often use my mobile phone's hotspot function as my only home wi-fi for all my home devices, TV, laptops etc. for prolonged periods and have never experienced any issues doing so. When I'm travelling for weeks, staying at hotels, I'll use it as my only connection for the laptop. Just need to keep it on charge.

 

 

Additionally, I've found that tethering my phone via usb cable generates a consistently higher speed connection than via hotspot.

Just tested it again

Hotspot - 29Mbps

Tethering - 45Mbps

Edited February 7, 2021 by prophet01

[Eindhoven]

6 hours ago, prophet01 said:

I often use my mobile phone's hotspot function as my only home wi-fi for all my home devices, TV, laptops etc. for prolonged periods and have never experienced any issues doing so. When I'm travelling for weeks, staying at hotels, I'll use it as my only connection for the laptop. Just need to keep it on charge.

 

 

 

 

Indeed, not the greatest idea to keep your phone on charge 24hrs a day. A mobile phone hotspot is just a stopgap. If you have a spare one, use it. Otherwise better to have a dedicated router; portable or otherwise. 

 

[prophet01]

@Eindhoven

I'll clarify my statement.

I put it on charge as necessary then take it off charging as I would do if just using it as a phone.

 

The point I'm making is that I've been doing this for years without issue. It works perfectly. It's not a stopgap for me.

 

 

[Eindhoven]

Using mobile phone as a router is a stopgap, no matter which way you look at it.

 

Example: downloading a file on to a PC storage drive.. If a large file and you need to go out, you'll either need to leave your phone at home or have a spare phone.

You may or may not need to leave your mobile on charge, dependent on the battery life whilst using as a Hotspot.

 

So, I repeat, if you already have a spare phone, then use it if it suits. Otherwise a dedicated router is best. Also for coverage, routers are better.

I have all three options here, but choose to utilise a fixed router in so that I can stay connected permanently.

Phone you will have to leave on charge or the battery could deplete in the middle of an unattended download/upload.

[CharlieH]

6 minutes ago, Eindhoven said:

Using mobile phone as a router is a stopgap, no matter which way you look at it.

 

Example: downloading a file on to a PC storage drive.. If a large file and you need to go out, you'll either need to leave your phone at home or have a spare phone.

You may or may not need to leave your mobile on charge, dependent on the battery life whilst using as a Hotspot.

 

So, I repeat, if you already have a spare phone, then use it if it suits. Otherwise a dedicated router is best. Also for coverage, routers are better.

I have all three options here, but choose to utilise a fixed router in so that I can stay connected permanently.

Phone you will have to leave on charge or the battery could deplete in the middle of an unattended download/upload.

Agree, these small devices are designed as temporary occasional use, not a permanent solution. Yes they may well "do the job" but are not ideal for long term use. IMHO

[prophet01]

16 hours ago, Eindhoven said:

Using mobile phone as a router is a stopgap, no matter which way you look at it.

 

Fine, if you say so it must be true.

I'll just ignore my own experience of it not being a stopgap, as if it was all a dream...

[Eindhoven]

9 minutes ago, prophet01 said:

 

Fine, if you say so it must be true.

I'll just ignore my own experience of it not being a stopgap, as if it was all a dream...

 

No need to become obsessive about it. Look at what you wrote; 

 

Quote

I put it on charge as necessary then take it off charging as I would do if just using it as a phone.

 

That's a stopgap. 

I did the same with my MiFi....the battery became swollen. iPhone; swollen battery. 

Phones are a lot more expensive than dedicated Wireless routers.

 

So...for the third time....if you have a spare mobile phone it can be utilised. Otherwise, I suggest buying a dedicated device.

 

You've stated your opinion and I have stated mine. Everyone coming here can read and decide with path is best for them. 

 

Try to not make the mistake of assuming that your experience will be satisfactory for all.

 

 

 

 

[prophet01]

11 hours ago, Eindhoven said:

That's a stopgap. 

 

For me it isn't

 

12 hours ago, Eindhoven said:

Try to not make the mistake of assuming that your experience will be satisfactory for all.

 

I don't need to "try to not make the mistake..." as I've neither assumed nor suggested that my experience would be satisfactory to all.

I've simply relayed my experience. It's for others to decide whether or not to follow that experience.

[Eindhoven]

1 minute ago, prophet01 said:

For me it isn't

 

I don't need to "try to not make the mistake..." as I've neither assumed nor suggested that my experience would be satisfactory to all.

I've simply relayed my experience. It's for others to decide whether or not to follow that experience.

 

Why did I know that you would be back? All that you wrote here went without saying.

We know that you consider it satisfactory to your needs and we know that you have relayed your experience. But thank you for coming back to clarify.

 

I am actually not at all sure why you got so worked up about it. The question was simply Portable Wifi vs Mobile Hotspot.

You relayed your experience and I relayed mine; based on having all three here, right next to me.

OP can read all and decide. Nothing about which to be upset.

[prophet01]

16 hours ago, Eindhoven said:

 

Why did I know that you would be back?

Presumably because, just as you are, I'm a member of this forum and perfectly entitlted to respond, just as did you.

 

16 hours ago, Eindhoven said:

But thank you for coming back to clarify.

Likewise thank you for expressing your appreciation

 

16 hours ago, Eindhoven said:

I am actually not at all sure why you got so worked up about it.

Nothing about which to be upset.

And i'm equally actually not at all sure why you, mistakenly, believe I got worked up.

Please be assured that I'm not at all upset.

Edited February 10, 2021 by prophet01

[Pilotman]

On 2/6/2021 at 7:43 PM, dddave said:

Is there any advantage to using a portable Wifi device over using a mobile phone hotspot?

 

A friend lives in an old building with no internet availability.  She has a decent laptop but no way to use it online.  

it appears from what I read on this forum, her best inexpensive option would be a portable wifi (recommendations?) and a 12 month SIM package.

yes.  We used a mobile hot spot, D Link for a couple of years with an AIS sim in it, even in the house.  Cheap, until AIS changed the package and I got <deleted> with them and never used it again.  But it worked well.  

Edited February 10, 2021 by Pilotman