The Web 'n' Walk Stick allows users to access the T-Mobile network from a computer – not for making phone calls, but for internet access.

Just as a 3G phone can be used to browse the web and read emails, so can a computer with one of these devices (it requires a mobile phone Sim card to be slotted into it before it will work).

Installation was hit-and-miss: the first time we tried we came up against some incomprehensible errors, but having returned that device to T-Mobile and getting another in return we tried again with much better results. The second time around was painless – we plugged it into a spare USB port, it automatically installed its own software and we were away.

Internet access was fast and generally impressive – we didn't get the promised 7.2MB per second, but it was certainly as fast as the average home connection. The speed does vary depending on where you are – if your signal is weak the speed drops drastically and in some parts of the country there's no signal at all.

It's fairly expensive on a 12-month contract, with the basic package starting at £20 per month (plus £20 for the Web 'n' Walk Stick) but if you sign up for two years the device is free and the package price drops to £15 per month for 3GB of data (the 10GB package costs £30).

One advantage of going with T-Mobile is that you get unlimited access to T-Mobile wireless hotspots across the country, which hugely increases its flexibility. For notebook users, this kind of product is ideal, and if you plump for the 10GB and don't do much video or music downloading, it could even replace your home broadband.

Vista compatible: Yes