We support our Publishers and Content Creators. You can view this story on their website by CLICKING HERE.

This week billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink released the Mini, a portable device that can deliver internet access virtually anywhere in the country. Its release came just in time for those struggling in Hurricane Helene’s aftermath.

“The Mini is a satellite dish and Wi-Fi router all in one that’s about the size of a laptop,” according to CNET. “This is the first time that high-speed internet will be available on the go in areas that aren’t reached by cell towers.”

“You could backpack the Appalachian Trail or take your RV on a cross-country road trip and still watch the latest House of the Dragon at the end of the night,” CNET notes.

It’s already begun to receive rave reviews, including from popular podcaster Joe Rogan:

“I used the Starlink Mini this past week in Utah in the mountains,” Rogan said in the clip above. “It’s amazing. It’s the size of this book. It’s crazy. It literally fits in a small laptop case. My friend couldn’t believe that was it. I was like, ‘This is it. All you gotta do is plug it in.’”

Rogan’s guest, venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya, was just as impressed with it.

“I got a very early one,” Palihapitiya said. “And I used to carry it around in a laundry basket. It was incredible. And then when you see what they’ve done in a couple of years, from this thing was a little bit bulky. It is so beautiful and simple.”

“You just plug it in, and it auto starts to rotate, figures out where it is. The app comes up and it shows you this speed and then you’re just going. And I’ve used it in all kinds of situations, where I’m traveling, and I bring it with me, and it’s never failed,” he added.

Other Starlink Mini users have reported similar experiences:

As noted by some of the X users above, Starlink Internet has been especially useful for victims of Hurricane Helene.

That said, it is pricey under normal circumstances, reportedly costing $599, in addition to a monthly fee for data.

“The Mini Roam costs $50 a month and gets you 50GB of portable or in-motion data each month, or about 20 hours of HD streaming,” according to CNET. “The Roam Unlimited plan costs $165 and provides unlimited mobile data, in-motion use, and two months of international use.”

Vivek Saxena
Latest posts by Vivek Saxena (see all)

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.