Job Discussion Forums

Morgareets · Joined: 16 Sep 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Rockford, Illinois

Do most of you have your own personal computers or do you go to internet cafes? I'm trying to decide if it's a good idea to bring my laptop. How much does it cost to have monthly wireless access? Will I have to worry about it being stolen? Thanks guys!!

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

The first few months I lived in Mexico, I got by with my work computer and internet cafes, but eventually I broke down and bought a cheap new computer for about 6000 pesos. I found it invaluable for staying in touch with folks back 'home', doing research, downloading my favorite music or TV shows, watching DVDs, etc.

I wouldn't recommend taking an expensive laptop, but if you can buy a used laptop for a few hundred bucks it will come in very handy.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Guess it depends on where you're going...in Mexico City, toting a laptop around is pretty common as many restaurants and cafes offer free wireless access.

Internet access at home isn't as easy as in the US or Canada. You'd need either a cable or telephone landline subscription to get the add-on internet, wireless or DSL. Costs are as little as 230 pesos per month, but more if you need to get cable or a telephone line on top of that.

If you're renting a furnished place, check if they already have such a package. Even if they don't, you might luck out with an open wireless network (ahem...friendly neighbour?) in your area. This might not be the case in smaller cities, though in traveling around the country with my own laptop, I've rarely not encountered a signal.

gypsygirl1475 · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 78

Hi,
I'm a newbie here but not new to Mexico. I agree with Guy. I bring mine all the time and haven't had any major problems. I live part time in Ecatepec de Morelos.

MO39 · Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:58 pm Post subject:

I agree with Guy and gypsygirl. I can't imagine life without my laptop, even though mine is a bit on the large size. If you decide not to bring yours and will be in the capital, in the D.F., there are lots of inexpensive internet caf�s; in fact, one just opened next door to the building where I live.

GueroPaz · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 216 Location: Thailand or Mexico

Great topic. I've been thinking of swapping computers with my parrtner here, if I come to Mexico, and he's got a decent Acer laptop that he bought about 1.5 years ago. So, it's no problem getting it through Customs, eh?

(I just ended the last sentence to sound Canadian.... Smile

)

How many pesos per hour to use an air conditioned internet cafe nowadays, using their computer?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

To pass as a Canadian, you'll need to name our first prime minister AND cough up your best recipe for poutine!

Customs won't trouble you for a laptop at all.

In Mexico City, internet cafes are a disappearing breed, but those that remain will run you between 1 and 2 dollars per hour.

GueroPaz · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 216 Location: Thailand or Mexico

Sorry mate, I don't know what you're on about, said the Brit in Alberta.

Dollar an hour, eh? That's double the price here in Thailand. Ah, well.

MO39 · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 3:52 pm Post subject:

jillford64 · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 397 Location: Sin City

I brought my laptop and portable printer so I didn't have to rely on the computers at the school to prepare lesson plans and print stuff out. I'm glad I brought it for that reason.

Depending on where you live, wireless internet can be hard to find. When I arrived in Morelia in April 2006, the school had wireless in their computer lab and maybe a few of the bigger business hotels had it, but that was about it. About 6 months after I arrived, my landlord got cable internet at the apartment and installed a wireless router. When I left in September 2007, two cafes had opened in el centro that were finally offering wireless. Oh, and when the new Starbucks opened in August, I think they had it.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

They were saying on the news last night that lap-top robberies were an increasing problem in Mexico City. If you can get by without one buy a desktop. They're getting ridiculously cheap due to the boom in lap-top buying.

Mateja · Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 16 Location: Mexico

I am in Michoacan, in Sahuayo, quite a small city, but here are many internet cafes, so no problem. But I still have my laptop, I need it to be in touch with my family.

I live together with other teachers and we wanted to have wireless network, so we are paying 400 pesos monthly. We share costs, but even if we werent, I would want to have internet at home, because I make phone calls using it , for free of course, and phone calls to Europe are horribly expensive.

So you can decide whatever, depends how much and what for you would use your laptop.

notamiss · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 11:50 pm Post subject:

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

With the cost of having internet at home being as expensive here as it is up north, I don't believe the internet cafes will ever be a dying breed. They are packed with teenagers who love to chat online, as well as travellers, and at 10 pesos an hour it's very affordable. In the tourist zone it's about 40 pesos an hour and for those tourists that don't have the luxury of owning a laptop, or prefer not to bring it to Mexico, they're the ticket!

Many locals don't have phone lines or cable in their homes, so no chance to have an internet connection, never mind the money to afford a computer. Every little neighborhood in my area has a small internet cafe. I think they must make their money selling snacks and soft drinks.