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what do I need for wireless internet access on a laptop?

post #1 of 11
7/10/06 at 9:03pm
Thread Starter 
I'm buying a laptop and I want to know what I need for wireless broadband and what service providers are available, what it costs etc.

Thanks.
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post #2 of 11
7/11/06 at 10:34am
>THIS< is what we use at work...works very well. Once you are set up with the card, the service costs about $60/mo.
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post #3 of 11
7/11/06 at 1:12pm
Well, you need to have a "wifi mini pci" card installed in your laptop. Chances are it will come with one. If you're going for an economy model, it may state that it's "wireless capable", but not actually have a card. Kinda rare these days I think, since a wifi card can be had for as little as 25 bucks.

Next you need a wireless router. This is where you'll need to research to find a model that offers a good compromise between performance (range) and price. Usually you pay a far higher percentage than the actual increased performance percentage in "hi performance" models.

And finally, of course, the service.
You will have to find out for yourself what is available in your area.
From what I know, DSL is only worth having if your phone company is using optical cable. Our crappy little phone company still uses 40 year old copper lines that proiduce 10-17% noise after a saturating rainfall!

Tedds right with the cost, pretty much no matter what service you choose.
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post #4 of 11
7/11/06 at 1:44pm
Are you looking for a wireless home network?

Or something like this http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/m...band/index.jsp
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post #5 of 11
7/11/06 at 6:20pm
Thread Starter 
I can't get DSL or cable from where I'm at. I'm looking for wireless internet free of anything else.

Flow and tedd that's what I'm looking for but yikes, it's going to be $80 for me because I'm with earthlink. Well, I have no choice.
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post #6 of 11
7/11/06 at 6:33pm
All things considered though, we pay $55/month for Comcast; so really $80/month for unlimited access anywhere isn't too bad really..
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post #7 of 11
7/11/06 at 6:35pm
yapper, have you looked into a wireless internet service provider (wisp)? check here http://www.onelasvegas.com/wireless/...t_Service.html for a provider in your area. also check www.dslreports.com i am too far out to get dsl or cable, i use a wisp, basically a wifi connection. i'm five miles from the access point, but according to the owner, who set up my antenna, he has shot a signal over 15 miles. it will generally cost more for less speed compared to cable and/or dsl (maybe). i pay $50/mo for 3 mb up and down.
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post #8 of 11
7/12/06 at 8:13am
wat about all the hardware, as i am also in the need for a wireless router, however do not knwo what model. i have al the cables, the dsl modem, the wireless card, what i want to do is connect my desktop to broadband, via usb, and laptop wireles, what is the best way to do this?
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post #9 of 11
7/12/06 at 11:38am
Why "via USB"?
The desktop just goes right into the wireless router via ethernet cable, no?
That's how mine is. (The wifi router acts like an ethernet hub, too.)

If running a cable to the desktop is out of the question, then you could always just get a wifi card off Ebay for it. (Be sure it comes with a driver CD and that it's compatible with your router.)

Intel wifi cards in laptops will work with most any router, but getting a Netgear wifi PCI for a desktop might not work with a Belkin router, for example.
So it's best to keep all your brands consistant.
But it's not that hard to do it on the cheap through Ebay.
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post #10 of 11
7/12/06 at 11:52am
I get 1.5mbps DSL for $34.99 a month.

If you ask me I think I should get 3.0mbps with that money....
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post #11 of 11
7/12/06 at 2:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by plAythiNG
wat about all the hardware, as i am also in the need for a wireless router, however do not knwo what model. i have al the cables, the dsl modem, the wireless card, what i want to do is connect my desktop to broadband, via usb, and laptop wireles, what is the best way to do this?
psychokitty addressed this, but i'll add the following. i have a linksys wrt54gs wireless router. i installed wireless card into the desktop and our lappies have built in. plaything no need to usb to connect your desktop, the wireless router will also take cat 5 cables which can span longer distances than usb, iirc.
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