Hello Everyone, hope all is well...

I need some knowledge concerning Notebook PC's and Wireless Net Access.

Here is what I am wanting... a inexpensive Notebook (Dell possibly) with Wireless access for me to be able to use from the couch or out on the deck at home, as well as at the Starbucks type joints from time to time.

I just saw a Dell ad with notebooks starting at just a tad over $700.

The question is what I am going to need? Will I be needing to purchase the wireless internet chip/card seperately, and how does all that work anyway? Can someone give me a brief explanation.... I really don't need much as far as the hardware is concerned as this will mainly be used to surf the web, work from time to time, and get back into TCY.

Hopefully I can have all of this set up within the week.

Big Thank You in advance for the assistance..

You should get one with a built in wireless b/g card.

Double E, would that come with the box that plugs into the wall at the house? How do these things work?

Thanks!

It's doubtful that any laptop will come with a wireless router. Most likely you'll have to purchase your own and they run for around $70 for a good one.

The wireless router is hooked up to your dsl/cable modem with wires and acts as a medium to send and receive data from the wireless card and modem.

You ideally want to get a wireless router and wireless card with g capabilities. When surfing dell and other laptop sites, it will show up as 802.11b/g wireless card because the g is backwards compatible.

It's best to get wireless built in; however, you can buy a wireless card to go in your laptops pci slot if it has one. As you shop feel free to post links to the laptops you are considering and Ill see if I can be of help for that specific model.

You will also need a wireless router that your (cable/whatever) modem plugs into.

1. So laptop with wireless card built-in
2. Wireless router

Pretty simple really.

Please take a look at this particular Dell Notebook...

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=i1150S1&s=dhs

Thoughts on this one? What would I need among the accessories listed below?

Thanks!

You need to add one of these. I'd recommend the more expensive one.

Dell® Wireless 1350 Internal Wireless (802.11b/g, 54Mbps) [add $35 or $1/month1]
Dell® Wireless 1450 Internal Wireless (802.11a/b/g, 54Mbps) [add $53 or $1/month1]

And one of these. I'd personally go with the linksys http://reviews.cnet.com/Linksys_WRT54GS_Wireless_G_broadband_router/4505-3265_7-30825185-2.html?tag=top

Dell TrueMobile 2300 Wireless Broadband Router with 3-Year Warranty [add $89 or
D-LINK DI-514 11Mbps 802.11b Wireless Broadband Router [add $59 or $2/month1]
NETGEAR 802.11b/g 54Mbps Wireless Broadband Router [add $69 or $2/month1]

Here's a good price fro the linksys http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=33-124-136&depa=0

Can somebody describe how to use your own laptop at a starbucks using wireless? That's pretty convenient, but I always thought, nah, it would never work.

Thank you for the info EagleEye and MJ... I would like to know the answer to that as well Dutch.. I figured that was the normal way you got Notebooks to work at places like Starbucks.

That brings up another question, will my internal wireless card work at say a friends house that has a wireless router? Must they be the same type of router or does it matter?

So to recap, the Wireless Router, such as the Linksys, plugs into your DSL/Cable Modem and acts as a signal to the Wireless Card inside of your Notebook. Correct?

Also, what kind of signal reach are we talking about? 100 Feet?

Thanks!

It will work at a friend's house if he is set up to allow it. You can configure it to connect to his network (which it will detect when in the area) but he may have to "allow" it by giving you the network key # or broadcasting the network key # (less secure).

The signal reach for mine is about 50ft but you can buy a booster for the signal to make it go around 100 ft I think.

My guess is at starbucks or what not it would be just like your friend's house but they broadcast their network key # (this has a name, but I forget what it is, something like ESID) so you can just select the network to connect to.

I knew nothing about this stuff either when I took the plunge with my wireless laptop and it really is easy to figure out. I did have a friend with me to make sure I bought the right stuff, but then he said you won't need me to get it setup. It's very easy to figure things out.

Good luck.

I bought an hour of surfing at a Starbucks in London last year, and you can just start up your laptop (with the wireless card) and you'll get a different starting page in your usual web browser. That web page belongs to the company running the network service, and allows you to enter your CC number along with name, adress and such, to purchase the time you need. When you've finished the transaction then you get a full internet connection instead of the limited one you got from the Starbucks wireless router.

So that's how Starbucks works.. Hell I figured you just payed a flat fee for your internet service for your visit. Thanks 3ric.

Well, this morning a friend of mine gave me a extra Wireless Router that he had..

A Linksys Wireless Access Point Router with 4 Point Switch (2.4 GHz, 802.11b) - Model BEFW11S4.

Now what is the difference between a 11b and a 11 b/g? Please explain this backwards compatibility issue.

Also, will a 11b/g Internal Wireless Card (Dell® Wireless 1450 Internal Wireless (802.11a/b/g, 54Mbps) [add $53 or $1/month1) work with a 11b Router?

I'm figuring if I order a Notebook with a Internal Wireless Card, all I will have to do is connect the Router I purchase to my DSL, and go through whatever programs are needed to sign up through my Notebook. Sounds pretty simple.

Is there more to installation than this?

The "b" router is an older model that only supports the early standards of wireless networks, but the card should work with it because of the backwards compatibility, since it uses the "g" standard then it also works with all the previous communication standards.

3ric is correct

Dola, however, you will only move at the speed the router can handle. So, its kind of waste to get the g wireless card unless you plan on upgrading the router.

I have a 802.11b router. Last night I was transferring some FOF files from my PC to my laptop and was getting about 87kb/sec. So it's not like it will kill anybody to just have "b". :)

Dola, however, you will only move at the speed the router can handle. So, its kind of waste to get the g wireless card unless you plan on upgrading the router.

Not only that, but a g wireless card will also be good if you go somewhere that does have a g router. I would have gone with a g card either way so I could get the best out of wherever I am at.

The speeds of the routers are crazy, I bought a g but probably would have been fine with just a b (but I like to have all the speed possible as do not know what the future holds for technology..so want to be a bit more ready).

If you were given a b router I would still go with a g card and really I think you can get a g card for only $10 more than what you pay for a b card.