Travel Technology - where/how can I use an ASUS eeepc

I am a little confused about Wi Fi hotspots, free hotspots and using something like an eeePC.
I am thinking of buying an eeepc to take to Europe for a two month holiday in December, January.
I understand there are free spots where you can access the internet, but would I still have to have a local ISProvider?
Is the free Wi FI hotspot just providing the connection to an ISP for no cost ( eg a cafe where they would hope you would spend your money on coffee etc)
If I still have to have a local ISP, how would I organise that?
What do you pay for at a "non-free" WiFI hotspot?
I have heard of Boingo and see they have a daily access service. Would that mean you are only charged for the days you use the internet through them??

Thanks for any help for a travelling novice.

Welcome to Flyertalk, vetdoc.
If there's free wi-fi, you get to the internet for free (getting more common at cafés/bars, a number of hotels also offer it but check with the property before booking, as more hotels like to take more money from you!).
If there's a paid hotspot (like in many hotels), it usually connects you for free with the hotspot access server, and asks for your login details. If you don't have an account with them, it just asks for your credit card to charge you per hour/day of access. As I have 3G internet and tend to choose hotels with free wi-fi, I am not sure about boingo; I just buy the one-hour (or whatever) service from the local provider.

The Asus picks up the signal like any windows computer would do, so no worries in that department!

I have an eee, and found that it picks up wifi signals way better than my other 2 laptops (an Acer and an HP). But it seems to take just a little longer to log onto them so you can start browsing.

There's not an awful lot of free wi-fi about in Europe though, at least not where I've been. Big "you're kidding?!" discussion with Lufthansa at Frankfurt last week, as I finally decided to try checking emails in the SEN lounge. I mean come on.... what are they thinking? In Innsbruck airport wifi's free (which is lucky as there's NOTHING else to do there). And even SAS London lounge at Heathrow T3 is free now.

A couple of other points...
I was thinking of picking one up but haven't bit the bullet yet. Just a reminder, the original eeePC's came loaded with Linux as the operating system instead of Windows. However, the graphical look and usage should be relatively easy to pick up for a windows users. It'll still come with standard apps like a web browser, email program, instant messaging, etc though.

Just to add a little more colour to graraps' post:
You don't need a local ISP to connect the Internet via WiFi while on the road with your eeePC. WiFi is the medium that provides a connection between your eeePC to the router/server/LAN that's providing the WiFi signal (instead of a physical cable). If you're allowed to connect to it, your eeePC will get an IP address. "Free WiFi" typically means that router/LAN that your eeePC connected to, also has a gateway to the Internet so you can access "stuff" on the Internet. If it's not free, as graraps says, the Internet gateway is locked down and you're stopped at the router/access server until you set up an id/account and provide billing info (ie. Credit card). Alternatively, some hotels might provide "Free WiFi/Internet" but it's locked down where the router will prompt you for a password when you try to connect. Get the password from the hotel/Internet cafe/etc.

Whoever's router/LAN your eeePC connected to is the one who's picking up the bill with the local ISP to connect the router to the Internet. You don't need to have a local ISP.
Note: You should confirm how your email is set up. If you use a webmail service like gmail, then you should not have any additional work to do. However, if you use an POP3 mail application on your home machine, you'll need to find out how to access it via webmail.

Sorry, never heard of Boingo.

You folks are amazing. Thanks heaps.
http://www.boingo.com/pr/pr175.php seems to be an ISP that provides to lots of WiFi spots.

Sorry, never heard of Boingo.

Just to add on the Boingo:
I used their service with a 1 month international plan, $40 for unlimited international roaming and it was by far the best deal I found. I used to have T-Mobile hotspot but even they charge an outrageous 18 cents per minute at their partner sites in Europe :mad:

For $40 with no contract, I get all domestic and international hotspots so it is definitely worth it. T-Mobile's $30 per month no contract leaves much to be desired.

Purchased an Eee last month and have done some travel with it. The size and capability are really nice to have on the road, but you must learn to type with a hunt and peck style as the keys are very small. Not a major problem but it takes some getting used to. Also signed-up for Skype, which is preloaded, and love the service. Nothing like chatting for free, or a small fee with Skype-out, and having the ability to make video calls. Only additional purchase was a small plantronics headset so everyone wouldn't hear my calls.

Overall the Eee is a nice little machine. The graphical interface they provide is easy to learn and reminds me of using a palm pilot. Just click on the item you want or tab and it launches rather quickly. Start-up and shut-down times are very quick and the battery lasts as advertised. Look at adding a 4GB SD card for extra memory if needed. Right now I have a Cannon camera which runs on SD cards so I just swap when I'm done shooting photos and want to post online. Really easy and simple.

Just flew to IAH to Sacramento last night... for the first time, used the eeePC to add three slides to a PPT presentation today. Yes, had to be careful with typing on the small keyboard. But screen size was fine and the "conversion" software on the eeePC worked fine as well... the slides are up and running when I put the Cruzer into my regular laptop this morning.

Overall, very nice to read through the PPT and change things in the smaller size rather than have to use the 14" T43.

On wifi access... got right into the free Wifi at the Sacramento airport when we landed.

Look at adding a 4GB SD card for extra memory if needed.

4GB? You're joking.

Only 16GB would do for mine. :D

I used to have T-Mobile hotspot but even they charge an outrageous 18 cents per minute at their partner sites in Europe :mad:


You mean their own sites in Europe. ;)