'Starlink Mini': High-Speed Internet, Fits in a Backpack, Now Available in the US (cnet.com)
- Reference: 0175828031
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/01/04/1920245/starlink-mini-high-speed-internet-fits-in-a-backpack-now-available-in-the-us
- Source link: https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/starlink-mini-dish-delivers-high-speed-internet-on-the-go/
And now, [2]CNET reports :
> Calling all digital nomads and van-lifers: SpaceX's Starlink Mini is now available everywhere in the US. The small antenna costs $599 and requires a monthly subscription of either $50 or $165, depending on which plan you choose. Thanks to [3]thousands of low Earth orbit satellites , Starlink has the unique ability to send high-speed internet just about anywhere. Standard service is great for [4]home internet in rural areas , while the provider's Roam service and new portable dish are ideal for staying connected on the go...
>
> The Mini is a satellite dish and Wi-Fi router all in one that's about the size of a laptop. [5]According to Starlink's website , it uses approximately half the power of Starlink's standard dish. It can be powered with a portable USB battery and can "melt snow and withstand sleet, heavy rain and harsh winds."
The article adds that users "can connect up to 128 devices, and it promises low latency... According to Starlink's broadband labels, your download speeds typically range from 30 to 100Mbps and 5 to 25Mbps in upload."
[1] https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1802567759835844838
[2] https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/starlink-mini-dish-delivers-high-speed-internet-on-the-go/
[3] https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/starlink-plans-to-send-42-thousand-satellites-into-space-thats-bad-news-for-the-ozone/
[4] https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/best-rural-internet/
[5] https://www.starlink.com/specifications?spec=5
Re: (Score:1)
No, but you will be able to "melt snow".
holy crap (Score:3)
They've really cranked up the monthly fees on starlink post beta. At over $100/mo AND insane equipment costs it isn't really plausible high speed for the masses anymore like it was at $40/mo unlimited.
Re: (Score:1)
Didn't you get the memo? Leon only cares about the people who have masses of money.
Re: (Score:1)
musk bad
he never invented anything
Correct. He has not [imgur.com/muskstoopidlolhaha.jpg].
he is just spending government money
Correct. He is spending government money via SpaceX and previously with his failing car company which only exists because of government money [cnn.com/muskbadorangemanbad.html].
he enables fascists on twitter
Yup, that he does. And censors people who call out the fascists.
he promised we would be driving self-driving cars on Mars by now, just to get money from investo
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
It's comparable to the price of Hughes satellite internet. You want to use that instead, be my guest. Or better yet, launch your own constellation of satellites and price it how you think it should be priced.
Re: (Score:2)
> They've really cranked up the monthly fees on starlink post beta. At over $100/mo AND insane equipment costs it isn't really plausible high speed for the masses anymore like it was at $40/mo unlimited.
I think you're confusing Starlink with something else. It was never $40 per month. It was $110 per month at launch, plus equipment costs.
And it has never been "for the masses", at least, not the masses with good terrestrial Internet options. It may someday be for the masses, but at launch it was limited availability access from fairly remote places. These days, it's unlimited availability access from anywhere... though if you have decent terrestrial Internet options it's likely those will be cheaper.
Re: (Score:2)
They need a plan between the $50/mo for 50 gig plan, and the $165 unlimited plan.
Worth a starless sky? (Score:2)
Such systems will be the first taken out by an enemy if there is some increased conflict (that is, more so than what presently adorn Slashdot's front pages).
Sounds useful for particular niche situations (Score:2)
Especially given the price, though ($50/mo for 50GB data, $165/mo for unlimited data) - I'm not seeing the "change the world" aspect of this.
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
> I'm not seeing the "change the world" aspect of this.
Once the Donald makes all other internet services illegal...
Re: (Score:2)
Elon thinks that's such a trivial amount of money that anyone can afford it.
Define low latency. (Score:2)
title
Re: (Score:2)
Define "easily carried". And does that 15 pounds include the power supply? (Even so, I remember the 21 pound original Macintosh, which was also called "easily portable". It was portable enough to carry home on a bus, but I wouldn't call that "easily".)
Well, this is lighter, but...
No thanks (Score:2)
Besides my phone the only other electronics i take with me camping is a Yaesu FT817, 35 feet of wire antenna and CW paddles, and the batteries to run that radio weighs only 1 pound, rechargeable by solar or wall wart
15 pounds is a lot (Score:1)
In a backpack situation. When I'm backpacking, the last thing I want is my electronic leash blasting from space through Lord Musk's orbital junk.
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
So don't buy it?
Re: (Score:1)
At the current $600 price tag, gladly.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
A lot of modern people do seem to appreciate having a fast and stable internet connection when otherwise off grid.
You don't need to be one of them. You can be that luddite shaking his fist at the sky and screaming about "Lord Musk's junk". In fact, it would probably be best for everyone if you only did that while backpacking far away from normal people. Because we really don't want to know about your feelings about "Lord Musk's junk". Really. TMI.
Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
Can see you've been taking "free speech absolutist" lessons from Musk.
Re: (Score:2, Troll)
What does free speech have to do with recommending backpacking trips? I'm not a communist, so it's not a euphemism for sending someone to gulags.
Or did you project that?
Re: 15 pounds is a lot (Score:1)
Nothing says "Luddite" like a backpack made of synthetic fibers, nylon shoes, freeze-dried meals, self-heating MREs, and a Dacron tent lit up by LEDs after sunset.
Ya sure got me!
Re: (Score:1, Troll)
You forgot the most important part. Pants. Remember, pants are important. Especially when thinking about other people's junk.
Re: (Score:2)
This is a weird article. I got my mini back in August...and it does NOT weigh 15 pounds. That, or I'm really strong and 15 pounds is nothing to me...
It's definitely backpack-able....though, I don't know what they expect you to use for a power supply. (obv anything that can supply 12v)