Phones can be hotspots - but what about laptops?

So here I am chewing through mobile data and surely I don't need to buy and set-up a permanent wifi AP when I want the odd bit of wireless data. Normal process follows - ask google what ubuntu can - wifi tethering?

Turns out 'yes' and some good instructions are forthcoming on askubuntu.com but (aside from only seemingly supporting WEP and some IPv6 issues) I don't see a hotspot?

The answer - via http://askubuntu.com/questions/76981/cannot-make-wi-fi-hotspot

 $ sudo iw list | less
   ...         
 Supported interface modes:
                 * IBSS
                 * managed
                 * monitor

 so no AP and so hardware does not support being an AP. Bummer - but good to know.