Can a laptop get on the internet without a hotspot

[blockie]

I wish to take my laptop to my aunt's 95th birthday so she can view well wishers on Skype. I have Skype on my laptop as do the well wishers.
If this is a possibility what do I need?

 

[ben946210]

If I understand you correctly: You would need some source of internet: DSL, Cable, Satellite, or even dial up. You could also use a smartphone if you know how to connect it to the computer.

 

[PwnFrnzy]

I hear phones with internet can get a computer on the internet as well, a slow connection, but it's something. Most phones come with USBs these days, so it shouldn't be too difficult. I don't know how it's done, but I read of it on a couple sites through Google.

Here's one of them: Connect to the internet using your cell phone and laptop computer

 

[kado897]

A USB Internet dongle would do the job. You can get them on a pay as you go plan. Not the cheapest way but useful for occasional use.

 

[Zepher]

There are 3 ways, tethering a smartphone, using a cellular mobile hotspot (mifi), and using a cellular air card.
Tethering usually requires a surcharge from the cellular provider, but can usually be turned on and off monthly and sometimes can be used for less than a month and you only pay pro-rated fee for that month.
There are ways around paying for the tethering charge, rooting or jail breaking the phone and running a tethering app.
My brother has a rooted android phone and we used his phone to connect our iPads to the Internet Thursday while we were at a golf tournament.

The other 2 options require buying hardware and paying a monthly fee.
I would call up some cellular providers in your area and see if they rent the mifi or air cards if you can't tether to a smartphone.

 

[ReviverSoft]

I guess most options have been discussed above.

If you're looking for something short-term, a USB Internet dongle or using your Phone's Internet connection via USB are two possible options. The latter being easier to carry out, but inadequate for Skype video calls.

 

[DeaconFrost]

The next problem you will face is, unless you find somewhere with decent 4G cellular service, you aren't going to be running a video conference anyway.