Portable Wi-Fi vs dongles: good and bad

Having a Wi-Fi connection is essential for many users today. We have more and more devices available with this type of connection. It is very common that we find a way to connect anywhere. For this, we can use different devices that allow us to have the Internet on our computer, wherever we are. Now you have to keep in mind that there are different possibilities. In this article we are going to talk about differences between portable Wi-Fi and dongles . Let's talk about its pros and cons.

Portable Wi-Fi: pros and cons

First of all, let's start talking about Wi-Fi devices Portable . As we know, these are devices that connect to the mobile network (be it 3G, 4G or even 5G). They are powered by the data rate that we have contracted and through this device we can connect other equipment.

These devices are wireless , so we won't have to connect them to a power source. They have a built-in battery that provides autonomy that will depend on the device. In some cases we may have 6-8 hours, while in others we may exceed 15 hours. Some even act as an external battery to charge a mobile phone or any other compatible device. They may also have an SD card slot.

The capacity will also depend on the device. In some, we can connect up to 20 computers at the same time. It is common for the 10 devices connected to the network to support without problem.

Benefits of portable Wi-Fi

Among the advantages offered by portable Wi-Fi devices, it is possible to connect a large number of devices. As we have seen, they can accept even 20 teams at the same time .

Another advantage is that it can act as a router, without needing to connect it anywhere. In this way, we can go by bus on a trip, for example, and connect our Tablet or our mobile to have Internet.

Some also have added accessories , such as using memory cards, using it as a power bank, have an Ethernet port, etc.

Disadvantages of portable Wi-Fi

Among the disadvantages we can highlight the consumption of la car's battery performance . Being a portable device, it will require constant consumption of the battery. Of course, we have seen that it can last quite a few hours. However, for a long trip, intensive use for several days without the possibility of recharging it, can be inconvenient.

It will also be a problem to have to transport it from one place to another, as it has a size which can be considerable. Aussi the cost is higher .

Wi-Fi dongles: positive and negative points

On the other hand, we have the Wi-Fi dongles . Again, the goal is to provide a wireless network to other devices. However, there are differences, of course. We can say that it is very similar to a USB stick. It is small in size and must be connected to the computer.

It offers Internet to this computer through a SIM card that it has integrated, but we can also share the connection with other devices. In this case, they have no battery, because they are connected directly to the computer.

Benefits of a dongle

Among the advantages of dongles, we can specifically mention the issue of car's battery performance . There is no need to worry about it as it connects directly to the computer and does not require an additional battery.

In addition, the space that it occupies is a plus. We can take you from one place to another without a problem. It is very manageable. In addition, the cost is lower.

Disadvantages of a dongle

However, among the negatives we can mention that you have to log in to a USB port . This means that if we want to connect a tablet or mobile, we will not be able to do so if we do not have a computer or device with a compatible USB port. It's not that flexible in that regard.

Another negative point is that it sometimes requires additional software to work. Also, they usually don't allow so many connected devices.

Ultimately, these are the main positives and negatives of a portable Wi-Fi device and dongle.