What are some ways to get Wireless Internet on a Laptop? And, how much do the different methods cost?

Originally posted by ConservativeBaller
What are some ways to get Wireless Internet on a Laptop? And, how much do the different methods cost? pretty much PCMCIA card(best choice) or a USB adapter(means cable and extra stuff hanging off it) are your only choices for type of hardware - do you mean to connect to your home network wirelessly, or directly to the internet?


I just did a quick search on Google for 802.11 wireless pcmcia card and found cards(for the laptop) for as low as $20 and base station (what you'd need to plug into your desktop or internet connection) for $35

There are a lot of options, but the most common is 802.11b and the newer backwards-compatible 802.11g which is a lot faster of a connection

If you are using Win98, make sure the card has 98 drivers/software, XP has WiFi support built in (the WiFi logo means it is compatible with the IEEE's 802.11b standards)

I'm talkin' about no wires connected at all; pure WIRELESS-ness.

Originally posted by ConservativeBaller
I'm talkin' about no wires connected at all; pure WIRELESS-ness.

That's what we had at school last year... wireless laptops. They were up in the library. I have no clue how they did it, though.

Originally posted by Miss Karly
That's what we had at school last year... wireless laptops. They were up in the library. I have no clue how they did it, though. Ditto. I think they have to be on a charger of some sort and then you can unplug them and take them wherever you want.

You people sure you're talking about Internet Access, and not just running the Laptop itself?

Originally posted by ConservativeBaller
You people sure you're talking about Internet Access, and not just running the Laptop itself? We're (or at least i was) talking about wireless internet.

Okay, just making sure.

Originally posted by ConservativeBaller
You people sure you're talking about Internet Access, and not just running the Laptop itself?

Yup, because we purposely used them to research projects.

Originally posted by ConservativeBaller
I'm talkin' about no wires connected at all; pure WIRELESS-ness. OK the only two ways youre gonna get a wireless connection are through:

a wireless cell modem (which is a pc-card device that basically works like a network card with a cell phone in it ) = slow and expensive, but accessible anywhere you have cellphone coverage

an 802.11 WiFi PCMCIA card (PC-card), which basically works like a network card that connects to an access point over radio waves - and if that access point has a connection to the internet you are good to go - this is probably your best choice.

a wireless pccard:
http://www.wireless-computer-networking.com/store/images/LSWPC54G.jpg

a wireless access point/router:
http://www.wireless-computer-networking.com/store/images/LinksysWPG11.jpg

what this means is if you get a 802.11 wireless router, you plug your internet connection from your adsl or cable modem (assuming you have a broadband connection) into the router, and then connect your desktop(s) to the router by cable (or install wireless PCI cards in them!!) and then you need to setup the laptop to connect to it.

depending on what operating system you have, this can be as simple as plug in the card and connect (XP), or as difficult as install software and drivers, configure the card, and the router, set your domain/IP addresses, etc... and then connect (win98)

but because this is a radiowave based connection, it is limited to 100 to 400 feet (roughly - it really depends on your local environment and interference) so this means anywhere around the house, or out in the yard

there is talk of wireless hotspots in various areas - i believe Starbucks has a plan where you can connect for some monthly/yearly fee, but i dont know too much about that

if you are interested in the wireless cell modem, best thing to do is call your local cellphone companies and ask them what sort of hardware they support and what pricing plans they have for access

I found this site that has some info on one brand - they probably arent in your area, and i don't endorse them or anything, but they have some basic info and FAQs on their site (http://www.cynetinc.com/cw_home.asp)

keep in mind though - this is a much slower connection (although i believe it is getting better all the time), the site above lists top speeds comparable to what you'd get on a 33kb/s modem over a phoneline (slower than 56kb/s standard dial-up)

Hmm, well, thanks for the info. So, there's really no way to get Wireless Access, like, in a car or anything?

here's a page with links to info about makers of specific hardware (way more than I can list here) http://www.wireless-computer-networking.com/

here is a ZDnet (PCMagazine) article about setting up a wireless home network
http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/4520-7298_16-4208042.html

and here are some more links for info:

http://www.sfwireless.net/moin/WlanFaq
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3065901

Originally posted by ConservativeBaller
Hmm, well, thanks for the info. So, there's really no way to get Wireless Access, like, in a car or anything? yeah the wireless cell modems - you can access them anywhere you can use a cellphone