How To Use Your Laptop As A WiFi Hotspot or Repeater

Almost all homes and offices are connected to a network connection these days, either through a dongle or a cable connection. Wireless routers, which enable you to share your connection with other wireless compatible devices, are also gaining popularity.

The catch is that wireless routers are stationed at a single spot. So if you want access to Internet outside a limited coverage area, then your router will not be able to provide you with network signal at the distance. Therefore, this calls for a more practical solution. You will need a wireless repeater to relay the home network to a larger coverage area. And such devices don’t come very cheap. So, let’s have a look  how to use your PC or laptop as a Wi-fi repeater.

Simple Ways To Use Your Laptop As A WiFi Hotspot

Firstly, all you need is a machine with Windows XP SP2 or higher operating system, a wireless network cardon your machine. Laptops have this feature in-built and as for PCs, most newer motherboards support a wireless network card and a stable Internet connection.You will also need a software which can help you enable the network connection on PC/Laptop to be shared.

Examples of such software are Connectify, MyPublicWifi and Maryfi.

We’ll take the example of Maryfi here. Follow the steps below:

STEP 1: Click on the Settings Tab and enter the desired network name of your Hotspot.

STEP 2: Next, type out a suitable password for accessing your network. Keep it strong, because you don’t want any unauthorized person to access your connection.

STEP 3: Choose the type of connection you wish to share, in the ‘Internet to share’ drop down list.

STEP 4:

After this, go to the Advanced Settings Tab. Here, select the interface for wireless connectivity under the ‘Share over’ tab. Also, do not forget to select the type of security mode you wish to assign for your hotspot.

STEP 5:

Next, all you have to do is to click the ‘Start Hotspot’ button. Your PC/ Laptop is now ready to share your network connection with other devices.

For Wireless Repeater

In the Settings Tab, go to the ‘Internet to share’ tab. You have already selected the first wireless interface. In the ‘share over’ tab, select the second wireless networking interface.

Done! That’s it! You are now ready to use your PC/Laptop as a Wi-Fi repeater as well as a router for sharingInternet connection with your other devices.

V-Moda Crossfade M-80 headphones review

The first time I experienced a pair of V-Moda headphones was back in 2008 when I enjoyed my time with a pair of the company’s earbuds. At the time, V-Moda headphones were already well known for their blend of premium quality and sound despite the company’s young age.

This time around, I got a chance to spend some quality time with a pair of the V-Moda Crossfade M-80 on-ear headphones. Priced in the $200 range, V-Moda’s premium offering aims to sway potential users away from the well-established Beats Audio Solo, and therefore enough to get me curious.

V-Moda headphones have always aimed at the fashion conscious and the Crossfade M-80 is no exception. Sporting similar looks as the larger, over-ear Crossfade LP model, the M-80 headphones look great. They also come in plenty of colors to choose from, including the capability to add your personal touch. You can change the shield color on the headphones’ side by choosing from a number of colors, textures and designs, including the ability to create your own.

V-Moda Crossfade M-80 live photos

The retail package of the V-Moda Crossfade M-80 leaves nothing to be desired. Inside the box, which is a looker in its own right, you will find the headphones, a great-looking case, as well as two 3.5mm cables – one with three buttons for iOS devices and a single-button one for all others.

Ergonomics are superb. The Crossfade M-80 are relatively light at 200 grams, so even prolonged use will not cause any unwanted discomfort.

Build quality of the Crossfade M-80 is nothing short of impressive. V-Moda call the STEELFLEX headband of the headphones “virtually indestructible.” The headphones are tested beyond military-level MIL-STD-810G test standards. The cable/plug bend has been Kevlar reinforced, while the headphones can survive over 70 drops on concrete from 6 feet. To cap it all up, V-Moda sells the headphones with two-year warranty, which is rare to come across for such a product.

The headphones came well equipped in the sound department as well. The M-80 packs 40mm patented dual-diaphragm high-fidelity drivers with the hefty impedance of 28.5 Ohms. The frequency response range is between 5 and 30,000 Hz and the sound pressure level peaks at 105dB.

In real terms, the above numbers translate into a superbly balanced sound, regardless of the equalizer setting and the music style. I spent several weeks with the headphones as my daily driver and found nothing to frown at.

Overall, the V-Moda Crossfade M-80 are easy to recommend, despite their relatively high asking price of $230. Should you decide to shop around, you can snag a pair at Amazon for as low as $170 depending on the color of your choosing. This is a fair amount of cash to ask for superbly built, good looking premium headphones, which carry great sound.