The Benefits of Portable Wireless Internet Access

Forget your PC; you don't always need a computer to go online. Handheld devices with wireless Internet access have become popular for ordinary business travelers and tech-savvy entrepreneurs alike.

Cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones, and other compact gadgets make it easy to surf the Web and check e-mail while you're away from your office.

Internet-ready handheld devices have many advantages over standard PCs.

Lighter Than a Laptop

Your laptop is portable, but it can't go everywhere with you. Even ultralight models, which now weigh less than two pounds, still won't fit in your pocket. Also, you can't discreetly boot up your laptop when you're in a conference session, at a business dinner, or in your car. Handheld devices are perfect for these situations because they can provide quick, convenient, discreet Internet access.

E-mail Everywhere

With wireless Web access you can stay connected to your office whether you're stuck on the bus or away on a weeklong business trip. Some portable devices even have always-on Internet access, which saves you the time and trouble of establishing a dialup connection. Being able to unobtrusively check your e-mail will also let you take urgent messages without disrupting meetings and other important events with phone calls.