How Do Satellite Laptop Computers Work?
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Description
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Satellite laptops work by using a satellite return Internet connection. These types of computers are designed to handle wireless connections that use the power of satellites for "answering" the computer user's requests. This translates into receiving Web pages fast because they rely on the satellite to return (and depending on the connection, send and return) translated information. Therefore, a "satellite" computer is designed for high-speed transmissions, is Internet ready and is multimedia capable.
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How It Works
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Two-way satellite Internet connections are asymmetric. Data is sent at a slower rate and received back at a faster rate. Based on server capacity, Internet congestion and file size when uploading or downloading, speeds of data being sent or received vary from 50 to 1200 kilobits per second.
In a one-way satellite Internet connection, a request for a Web page is submitted via a phone line, cable broadband or wireless connection, and the satellite will be used to return the information to the computer in the fastest way possible.
Satellite laptops typically contain satellite-ready, compatible modems. This enables the laptop to have TV connection capabilities as well as work well with high-speed media such as streaming video, high-resolution graphics and digital devices such as cameras, camcorders and other entertainment-oriented hardware.
Drawbacks
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Certain times of the year, specifically during early spring and late fall, satellite links may be affected by rain and other interference that affects Internet connections that rely on satellite data transfer. But this typically happens for only a few moments out of a day. When signals move to and from websites by a two-way satellite connection, there may be some significant lag time due to the geo-spatial round-trip signals before landing back to the laptop. Periodically, it may make a difference to computer users whose seconds matter in online gaming. Because of the "openness" of the satellite connection, a firewall must be activated to protect the computer from unwanted threats.
Benefits
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The major benefit of laptops with satellite communication readiness is that they provide fast Internet browsing. Along with the visual capacity for extreme gaming and other entertainment-based media, using satellite brings out clearer graphics for optimized viewing. And when on the road, it's just like home because wireless connections are more possible and better sustained because of the outside satellite positioning. To date, satellite Internet connections provide one of the most, if not the most, dependable and accelerated download speeds available compared with other methods.
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References
- Photo Credit Source: Microsoft Clip-Art
