The Digital RVer
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Thursday, February 21, 2008

Multiple Computers - One Internet Connection

Even though I'm the one who relies on a computer to earn our living, my wife spends her fair share of time online as well. In the past, we've shared a laptop. It's been less than convenient, but we've worked out our schedules so that we both get enough time at the keyboard. But this year we bought a second laptop so we could both do what we needed, when we wanted.

One problem with having multiple computers when on the road is that both computers need internet connectivity. If you're lucky enough to be in a campground that offers (and delivers) free Wifi, you're in good shape. But I can't count on that. Most of the time I end up paying a fee for access, or using a cellular connection. Both of those options mean that I'm only going to have a single connection to the internet.

Synet's Windy31 fixes that problem. It's just exactly what I need to let both of us connect through a single internet connection. The unit connects to the USB port on the laptop that's connected to the internet (actually, you can connect it to a desktop just as easily), and becomes a Wifi access point and router... just like the one I have at home. The difference is that it's small and routes through the laptop to create a private wireless network.

I plugged the Windy31 into my laptop and the software loaded from the USB device... no CD was needed. I'm guessing the software is stored in memory in the USB unit. When I turned on my wife's laptop, it scanned for Wifi networks. It found the Windy31, connected to it, and was online in a few seconds.

I'm sure there are plenty of other uses for the Windy31, but this will do for me. Sorry, but it only runs on Windows XP and Vista computers, but of course any Wifi device (Apple, Wifi phone, etc.) can connect through it. Retail price is around $60.

posted by Scott at 10:29 AM

16 Comments:

  • mango1Sounds great...one question, was the "master laptop" connected to the internet via wifi or an air card (broadband card)??....that is all we use now, vice unreliable or costly wifi....air cards work while enroute over the road.....so this is the ticket IF it works with the air card. Thanks for sharing

    By Blogger markath55, at March 8, 2008 6:02 AM  

  • Oh wow that would be awesome if it works for the Aircard. We just hit the road and so far the air card is great. But cant be online at the same time.
    Can anyone comment if it works with the aircard?

    mouthyrver

    By Blogger theleafpicker, at March 8, 2008 8:54 AM  

  • It's not a problem that this device doesn't work with Macintosh computers. They don't need the Windy anyway.

    Mac users can go to System Preferences ... Sharing ... click on the "Internet" tab ... and share their Internet connection via wi-fi or Ethernet cable without any additional hardware or software.

    By Blogger Rich Luhr, at March 8, 2008 8:54 AM  

  • Wife and I travel a bit too in M home and have 2 laptops and simply use a verizon aircard and a cat 5 cable between computers, then no need for additional device to hook them together and no power required either. Charles Davis, RVfinancing.com

    By Blogger Charles, at March 8, 2008 2:57 PM  

  • Glad to see there are other ways to connect multiable computers, we have 4 in our MH,
    Charlie, glad to see you back on line hope your doing well. Dale & Dotti

    By Blogger Dale & Dotti, at March 8, 2008 6:05 PM  

  • We first purchased the Verizon aircard for use in RV shows where we finance RV's, it gives us instant communication with the banks and by using the CAT5 cable it allows us to use 2 computers and service 2 customers at once online, 07 was our best year ever and our 9th online. I do find there are very few places it will not connect, if your cell works it will work. Dale, email me cdavis@RVfinancing.com, Charles Davis, RVfinancing.com

    By Blogger Charles, at March 9, 2008 7:51 AM  

  • We use a Sprint air card but use a Linksys router so we both use the internet at same time. with two laptops. We travel with 3 computer's and can have them all on line at same time. I believe it will handly around 8 to 10 computers at once. Works great. Depends on the signal but usually works as fast as a DSL.

    By Blogger Dusty, at March 9, 2008 1:44 PM  

  • We use a Sprint air card but use a Linksys router so we both use the internet at same time. with two laptops. We travel with 3 computer's and can have them all on line at same time. I believe it will handly around 8 to 10 computers at once. Works great. Depends on the signal but usually works as fast as a DSL.

    Could you tell me the model # of the Linksys router please
    Susanna

    By Blogger Susanna, at March 22, 2008 12:22 PM  

  • 1. Customer support from Synet is one person answering the phone asking what do you want. There is no customer support in any sense.

    2. The device does not support WiFi phones..or so I was told. This is the main reason I purchased it.

    3. I am sure someone will have a similar product very soon. I have not considered calling Maverick Systems or the other company associated with this product as they are in Korea.

    This is a nice product. Nice features but don't
    expect it to answer all of your needs. If you want a simple easy to use way to extend your wireless network while you are way from your home or office this is a GOOD product.

    By Blogger Tekkyagogo, at March 28, 2008 9:26 AM  

  • It would appear that a master laptop must be online all the time in order for this product to extend internet, etc to other laptops.

    We use an air card while in our RV and are considering the purchase of a mobile router instead as only the router must be powered on all the time. The air card goes into the router.

    As others have already mentioned, you can connect other laptops to the internet via a CAT5 cable or better still, an adhoc wifi connection with internet sharing enabled as well.

    By Blogger Mark and Chris, at March 29, 2008 5:16 AM  

  • We use the Linksys Mobile Broadband Router (Model WRT54G3G-ST) with a Verizon Aircard, a Wilson cellular amplifier from Wilson Electronics and a Wilson roof mount antenna.

    While the flexibility provided by the WiFi connection to the router is nice, I usually connect to it via a Cat 5 cable because the speed is noticeably faster, and my work demands as much horsepower as possible. My wife, on the other hand, prefers the WiFi connection, as she can move about the RV as she pleases.

    The Wilson antenna and amplifier, which connects to the Aircard in the router, is indispensable when the cell signal is weak. One of our favorite spots on the California coast used to be off limits when on working trips because the signal was too weak to maintain a phone conversation let alone connect to the Internet. That problem disappeared when we installed the Wilson amp; it generally boosts the signal from one bar to four or five.

    Anyway, the aircard, mobile router and Wilson amp are a dynamite combination. I can't say enough about how great this setup works for us. (My apologies for the length of this comment.)

    By Blogger Scott H, at March 29, 2008 11:59 AM  

  • As many of you probably already know - but it has not been mentioned here - Macs have this feature built in out of the box. Any Mac that is connect to a network can act as a WiFi access point through features built into the OS. This of course does not apply if the host is connected via Wifi, but then why would you need connect other computers via Wifi, if wifi was already available. However, other computers can be connected via ethernet (wired) through the host Mac. Clients can be other Mac or Windows machines.

    By Blogger Ken, at April 1, 2008 4:48 PM  

  • This thing does not work. The dealer has no service people and does not have any idea as to how the router works. Our purchase was through SynetUSA. Don't waste your money. Purchase a good router to start with.

    By Blogger RallyNut, at April 3, 2008 6:04 PM  

  • I have read what few reviews are out there for this product and I will agree with you that it is not well backed by the company. I would not buy it again. That being said I had no problems getting it working. However, I do deal with networking equipment every day.

    There is another product by D-link that I think will take the place for the same price. DWL-G730AP. It can take the place of your home broadband router or plug in to an internet connection and share it wirelessly. It is made by D-link and was an accessible firewall web page like most of their product.

    By Blogger Tekkyagogo, at April 4, 2008 9:48 AM  

  • I think the next best solution has already been mentioned. D-Link, Linksys, and a few others have a wireless router/modem that accepts a wireless card from the cell provider. The issue with those units is they reportedly only support specific models of wireless cards. These devices also range in the $200-$300 range and may need an antenna modification to get the best performance.

    By Blogger Tekkyagogo, at April 4, 2008 9:52 AM  

  • The Windy31 is a nice little device, and while, as some of the comments do indicate, there is little (read 'none') support available. The unit is imported from somewhere in Eastern Europe I believe.

    I'll be posting reviews of a few other devices that offer REAL wifi routing, shortly. These are part of a new breed of cell>wifi devices that are being popularized for passenger vehicles. It seems that when the family gets into the minivan, everyone wants to stay connected.

    These, combined with the availability of cellular connections make connected travel simple. Stay tuned.
    Scott

    By Blogger Scott, at May 7, 2008 8:01 AM  

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