Hey people, I’m planning to buy a laptop, and I want to be able to connect to the internet on the road. I think that requires a wireless pc card? Not sure… So I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to tell if a laptop is compatible with these wireless cards. I don’t want to buy a laptop and then be told that its too old to have wireless cards put in it. 
Re: Wireless Internet for Laptops
Almost all laptop these days come with wireless networking built in. If you are buying a used laptop then you may have to buy a Wreless netwrok adapter, (B or G are sufficient).
Are you buying new or used?
Looks like you are in the US! If that is the case any B or G rated will be sufficient.
Regards,
Re: Wireless Internet for Laptops
u looking at wifi or wireless broadband?
Re: Wireless Internet for Laptops
If you plan to use Verizon Wireless Broadband and have not yet purchased a PC, I recommend that you go to their website and they recommend some PCs there. If you already have a PC, you can purchase a PC card from Verizon and insert it in your laptop if it has a PC Card Slot. If it doesn't have a PC Card slot, then you can purchase the USB card from them. In addition to purchasing the card, you will have to subscribe to their monthly service. I think it costs something like $59.99 + taxes if you have a cell phone account with them.
I am speaking of Verizon because I have their service. Not sure about other companies as I never looked into those.
Re: Wireless Internet for Laptops
Yes Shikra is right. Verizon and Sprint offer that and it works anywhere within the U.S. (I don't know how grey areas are for internet....i.e., cellular roaming, etc)
Re: Wireless Internet for Laptops
I don't understand something - why would a person need internet all the time? Isn't at home, at work / school enough? Not knocking those who have it but just wondering. What do you use it for?
Re: Wireless Internet for Laptops
Thanks for all the replies :D.
BOSTON, yes I'm buying a used laptop. Cheapest I can get actually, thats why I was concerned about whether it can get wireless internet on the road.
X2, I'm not sure, I guess I want a good fast connection, on the road, on a relatively old laptop.
Shikra, I looked into the verizon deal before I posted the question here, but now that you say they offer USB cards, I think my problem is solved. Even the oldest laptops have USB ports right? Anyway, how much do you think the USB card costs?
Teggy, that makes the deal better, because the person Im getting is going to be traveling a lot.
Tariq, I see where you are coming from. But the person I'm getting it for is gonna be on the road for a while, and he cant live with out checking his mail, forex rates, etc. So basically this will be his only access to the net for a while.
Re: Wireless Internet for Laptops
One USB is $0 after rebate ($50 price but then you get a $50 rebate) and the other one is $100 but after the $50 rebate, it’s like $50.
Since most of the new laptops now come with built-in wireless, they don’t have slots for the card. But they def. have USB connections. Old computers (> 2000) should have the USB connections.
Check this page and it may help you more.