laptop with bradband connectivity

[mhc5058]

I am buying a new laptop and can't seem to find one that I can connect with an old-fashioned modem. I do NOT use wireless --that is all I find. What do I look for in the specs.

THank you

 

[mhc5058]

PS I already have a broadband and modem with my PC. Can I use this on my laptop id so, HOW??

 

[Snipergod87]

Do you mean RJ11 (Phone jack), or RJ45 (Ethernet) connector?
http://www.fiber-optic-equipment.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/RJ11-and-RJ45-Jacks.jpg

 

[mhc5058]

Do you mean RJ11 (Phone jack), or RJ45 (Ethernet) connector?
http://www.fiber-optic-equipment.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/RJ11-and-RJ45-Jacks.jpg

 

[mhc5058]

a phone jack

 

[rgd1101]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from mhc5058 : "how cna I tell if a laptop comes with braodband connectivity when buying o ne?"

I am buying a new laptop and want to make sure I can connect with a modem I do NOT use wireless. What do I look for in the specs? I can't seem to find one. Either there aren't any or I don't know what to look for.

Thanks

What you're looking for is an "Ethernet Port", this will allow you to directly connect to your said modem.

Please only a single thread: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3580729/laptop-bradband-connectivity.html

 

[13thmonkey]

You shouldn't need a phone jack (that would imply it had a modem) your router should have ethernet connection out and so you need an ethernet port on the laptop, 100Mbit or 1000Mbit

 

[Snipergod87]

If you really want/need a phone jack (not an ethernet jack) no laptops made within the past 10 years actually have one.

 

[mhc5058]

You shouldn't need a phone jack (that would imply it had a modem) your router should have ethernet connection out and so you need an ethernet port on the laptop, 100Mbit or 1000Mbit

 

[mhc5058]

Thanks and please bear w ith me (I'm almost 70 yrs old and want /am buyng a laptop for the fistx am on my 5th PC since 1990).

So my pc has an ATT modem-- there are 2 wires connectd to my PC a Blue o ne where the mode connect says "broadband DSl; an a ywllow wire tat says 'Ethernet" there a 4 plugs -- I am only using one. Both look like phone jacks. The modem also has a red unused o ne (alos looks like a phone jack) that says ONT.

Can I connect a new laptop here-- if so HOW????

 

[Snipergod87]

Sounds like you have wiring for Ethernet on your ATT modem, it does look similar to a phone jack its a bit larger (the yellow ones) Most laptops now a days have an Ethernet port (also known as RJ-45), the primary exception are the very small thin and lights.

Do you have a particular laptop you are interested in?

 

[13thmonkey]

[strike]So the ones that say ethernet will look like phone jacks but a little bit different, this is RJ45.

However what you are wanting to do is frankly rare as rocking horse doings, so there are some if's and buts to work through. Modern RJ45 connections should cope with a pc to pc connection with a normal network cable, they should autosense that this is what is happening and not need a special network cable. However your's might be an oldish device, so you might need a cross-over cable. BUT given that it is 4 port it might have a switch built in, and therefore need a normal cable.

So try a normal network cable, and if that doesn't work get a cross over cable.

At the laptop end you just need a network port, which most non-ultrabooks will have as they are not too slim.

Now your PC would need to on whilst using the laptop. [/strike]

ignore all of that, no idea why, but I thought your modem was a card inside your PC, and not a separate device, in which case you have a perfectly normal and follow what snipergod says.

 

[Snipergod87]

So the ones that say ethernet will look like phone jacks but a little bit different, this is RJ45.

However what you are wanting to do is frankly rare as rocking horse doings, so there are some if's and buts to work through. Modern RJ45 connections should cope with a pc to pc connection with a normal network cable, they should autosense that this is what is happening and not need a special network cable. However your's might be an oldish device, so you might need a cross-over cable. BUT given that it is 4 port it might have a switch built in, and therefore need a normal cable.

So try a normal network cable, and if that doesn't work get a cross over cable.

At the laptop end you just need a network port, which most non-ultrabooks will have as they are not too slim.

Now your PC would need to on whilst using the laptop.

I doubt it is old as he said ONT which is optical network terminal (fiber)

 

[mhc5058]

Sounds like you have wiring for Ethernet on your ATT modem, it does look similar to a phone jack its a bit larger (the yellow ones) Most laptops now a days have an Ethernet port (also known as RJ-45), the primary exception are the very small thin and lights.

Do you have a particular laptop you are interested in?

Yes. I started reading review and from several this is the one I want:Acer Swift 1. Frnakly all I want to do is what I do on my PC-- in bed or o n the sofa-- email, read professional journal articles (PDF) browse/research, AND watch a lot of youtube music videos. Yes? will this ne do it? it's in my prie range

Thanks

 

[13thmonkey]

So the ones that say ethernet will look like phone jacks but a little bit different, this is RJ45.

However what you are wanting to do is frankly rare as rocking horse doings, so there are some if's and buts to work through. Modern RJ45 connections should cope with a pc to pc connection with a normal network cable, they should autosense that this is what is happening and not need a special network cable. However your's might be an oldish device, so you might need a cross-over cable. BUT given that it is 4 port it might have a switch built in, and therefore need a normal cable.

So try a normal network cable, and if that doesn't work get a cross over cable.

At the laptop end you just need a network port, which most non-ultrabooks will have as they are not too slim.

Now your PC would need to on whilst using the laptop.

I doubt it is old as the said ONT which is optical network terminal (fiber)

Well spotted, in which case they will auto detect, so an ethernet connection should work.

 

[mjslakeridge]

The "modem" you describe is most likely a gateway, which is a combination modem/router. You can connect an ethernet cable to any of the 3 available yellow ports and connect the other end to the ethernet port on the laptop. Which laptop(s) are you considering? We can probably do some research to confirm it has the correct port.

 

[Snipergod87]

The Acer Swift 1 doesn't have an ethernet port, only way of connecting is WiFi, at least not without having to buy a USB to Ethernet adapter which do exist and would work, just a little clunky.

 

[mjslakeridge]

Agree with Snipergod. That laptop is one of the thin design ones that doesn't have an ethernet port. Your gateway probably has WIFI, but if you aren't using wifi for phones or other devices, you would have to set it up. Perhaps the laptop would auto-detect the wireless network and connect, but I am not sure.

 

[mhc5058]

Thanks to all who have replied. This has been very very helpful. I do not use or want or like wireless, so back to my research for an inexpensive but very good laptop with an ethernent. (ANy suggestions?) I will look into any you might know of
Thanks all.

 

[Snipergod87]

Unfortunately I am not to familiar with devices in that range. There are probably going to be a decent amount to choose from and I also don't know what exactly your budget is, if you want touch screen or not

 

[mhc5058]

Unfortunately I am not to familiar with devices in that range. There are probably going to be a decent amount to choose from and I also don't know what exactly your budget is, if you want touch screen or not

 

[13thmonkey]

Almost all modern laptops are 'good' my wife's lenovo G500, was cheap, decent quality, sufficiently powerful for non gaming needs, and had ethernet, it just wasn't light or thin. And that's the problem, ethernet ports are, bluntly, fat. And that doesn't sit well with thin.

8G of Ram, 500GB of storage, or less if you have storage on your desktop, down to 200GB minimium, and an i3/pentium and you'll be fine, the form factor for use lying down is the biggest issue, if you are the size of my mother-in-law a 15.6 inch non thin laptop wouldn't work as she is tiny. For me i'd be comfortable up to 3-4 Kg of laptop, that choice is down to you.

 

[mhc5058]

Almost all modern laptops are 'good' my wife's lenovo G500, was cheap, decent quality, sufficiently powerful for non gaming needs, and had ethernet, it just wasn't light or thin. And that's the problem, ethernet ports are, bluntly, fat. And that doesn't sit well with thin.

8G of Ram, 500GB of storage, or less if you have storage on your desktop, down to 200GB minimium, and an i3/pentium and you'll be fine, the form factor for use lying down is the biggest issue, if you are the size of my mother-in-law a 15.6 inch non thin laptop wouldn't work as she is tiny. For me i'd be comfortable up to 3-4 Kg of laptop, that choice is down to you.

 

[mhc5058]

13thmonkey RThanks -- you've benn a big help. I wnet with the Acer Swift 1 and purchased a $20 ethernet adapter. Hope that will work. It was cheap--$310-- Honestly, until now I didn't know and and not even thought about size and that thin/sli ia the reason for no etherent . I want to use it in bd and on the couch whne not at my deks with PC.

Thanks again for your time and patience.

Mhc

 

[mjslakeridge]

I know you said earlier that you did not want to use WIFI, but is there a reason for that? The laptop you purchased would be perfect for performing the tasks you described while connected via WIFI. With the good battery life the laptop has, you could carry it anywhere in your house without being concerned about being tethered by a cable (power or ethernet). My wife uses a small android tablet to download e-books, and watch YouTube videos, etc. while sitting on the couch. Perfect for tasks where you don't need a keyboard and mouse. I did have to install a $35 WIFI range extender to get better coverage in that part of the house because my main gateway is at the opposite end of the house.

But I can understand if you don't want to enable the WIFI in your gateway for security or other reasons.