Feature: Unwiring a Wired Hotel Room

Many hotel rooms today are wired with broadband Internet. Does that mean wireless junkies have to find a nearby Starbuck's to get their fix? Nope. The simple solution: Take a hotspot with you.

Several new and recent products allow travelers to transform a wired Internet connection--such as the ethernet hookup in a hotel or conference room--into a wireless access point. Unlike traditional wireless network routers, these devices, such as Apple Computer's AirPort Express ($129), are compact, so they're easy to travel with.

Recently, I tested Apple's AirPort Express at the W hotel in San Francisco. It was incredibly easy to set up, worked exactly as described, and had me wireless within minutes.

Why Go Wireless?

By now, you may be wondering: Why would you need to convert a wired connection into a wireless when you're on the road?

• You and your colleagues will be holding meetings in a hotel conference room. But the room only offers one wired Internet connection jack. A portable wireless access point shares that connection between all of you.
• You're sharing a hotel room with your honey or a work colleague. Both of you need to use your computers. With a portable hotspot, you don't have to take turns.
• The hotel room's Internet connection is at a desk, and you want to surf the Net and check e-mail from the bed or another area in the room.

Are these serious problems facing the majority of mobile professionals? Probably not, though I think the first two reasons are fairly compelling. Do you really want to travel with yet another piece of equipment? Probably not. And yet, based on my experience with Apple's AirPort Express, I'd recommend at least considering adding a portable hotspot to your mobile tool kit.

From Wired to Wireless at the W

Apple's AirPort Express is marketed primarily as a device for wirelessly streaming music from your PC or Mac to a stereo system. Secondarily, Apple's Web site says the AirPort Express is also an ideal solution for transforming wired connections into wireless on the go. (The device uses the 802.11g standard, which is significantly faster than, but compatible with, 802.11b networks.)

For pricing, check the PC World Product Finder.

Meanwhile, the W Hotel chain has been promoting its W Wired Package, which includes an in-room wired or wireless Internet connection, three free music downloads from Apple's ITunes online music service, and more. The package adds about $25 to your hotel tab.

So I tested the AirPort Express at the W, one of my favorite San Francisco "hot spots" of the traditional kind--meaning cool people, hot music, and a great restaurant and lounge.

In Room 2608 (which cost about $275 for that Saturday night in August), I found the ethernet connection cable atop the desk. The AirPort Express must be plugged into an AC outlet, but the socket behind the desk was full. Oddly, there was a surge-protecting power strip with extra sockets available next to the bed, rather than at the desk where I needed it. I unplugged the lamp from the socket behind the desk to accommodate the AirPort Express. The Apple device, measuring 3.7 by 2.95 by 1.12 inches, protrudes outward when plugged into a socket, so I had to pull the desk away from the wall to make room.

Other than that, it was smooth sailing. I connected the ethernet cable to the AirPort Express, turned on my computer, and my notebook immediately recognized the wireless network. I ran Apple's AirPort Express Assistant utility on my notebook to set security and other network options. You can choose to protect the network with 128-bit encryption, Wi-Fi Protected Access, or no security; the device includes a built-in firewall.

Within a few minutes, I was surfing wirelessly throughout the hotel room. I was even able to connect to the wireless network with a Dell Axim X30 Pocket PC, which includes 802.11b wireless connectivity. The entire procedure was simple and straightforward--another affirmation that Apple still understands what "ease of use" means.

Other Options

The AirPort Express isn't your only portable hotspot option:

• APC's Wireless Mobile Router ($60-$70) is a portable device that creates an 802.11b-based wireless network.
• Netgear's WGR101 Wireless Travel Router ($75-$100) provides 802.11g wireless connectivity.
• SMC Networks' new Wireless Traveler's Kit ($100), providing 802.11g wireless networking, was just announced as of this writing. More information is in the company's press release.

Have You Unwired?

Other than the AirPort Express, I haven't tested any of these portable wireless routers. If you have, I'd like to hear about your experiences. Send me e-mail.