Newbie question: How do I connect my laptop to the internet when I am away from home?

[Dilaco]

Although I have been using computers for years, I have never owned a laptop until now. I can’t seem to put my question into the right words to direct a search engine to find the answer online, so I have come to this forum. Maybe because for a laptop user it is so basic a concept that no one would even think to ask about it.

I have managed to connect my new laptop to the internet via the wifi modem that I have at home. What I don’t know is: How do I connect it to the internet when I am away from home (which is one of the main reasons I bought a laptop)? Specifically, how do I tune into a hotel’s wifi, or a cafe’s wifi, or the wifi at a friend’s place? And how do I do this without overriding the wifi connection I have made with my home modem? (In other words, how do I do this so I don't have to go through the wifi set up procedure all over again when I get home?)

I own the hp 15s 15.6” laptop, purchased here in Australia.

Hope this question makes sense.

[BeemerBiker]

As soon as you remove your laptop from your home the network will disappear as it is out of WiFi range.

Any other networks that are in the area will show up.  Just select them and enter the password.  if there is an option to connect automatically then be sure to check that box.

When you return home the network will connect automatically if you enabled that option when you first set it up..

Guest networks that have no password are not secure and should be avoided..

Networks that are free and have passwords have little or no security.

Some paid networks, such as on a cruise ship, can be very expensive.

[Dilaco]

Thank you BeemerBiker for your reply. You have given me a good overall picture.

I guess I will find out how easy or hard it is when I take the laptop away from home and give it a try. I’m glad to hear that the laptop will automatically reset to my home wifi upon return “if you enabled that option...” I presume the option you are referring to is the one that says, “connect automatically when in range”.

[BeemerBiker]

Yes, and if there is the option "Ask to Join Networks" then turn on the option so you can see the network name and not have to guess.  Network names are not case sensitive, only the password need to be the correct case.

If the guest network has '5' in it then it probably runs at 5ghz speed.

[Dilaco]

Thank you again, BeemerBiker. Your help is very much appreciated.