I'm looking into purchasing an old laptop just to do papers on and connect to the internet in my school's library. I've read that I can get a wireless card or a usb wireless adapter to connect to my school's wireless network. What's the difference? Thanks!
2006-12-28 14:51:50 · 7 answers · asked by infinevol 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
There is a price difference and a performance difference. The USB adapters are cheaper and the cards are more expensive. The cards are more expensive because they have a wider range and the USB adapters have a smaller range.
2006-12-28 16:24:22 · answer #1 · answered by lwils4194 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Almost all laptops these days have a built in wireless adapter so you may not need to buy anything else. If the laptop you get is more than two or three years old you may need to get a wireless card. They run about $30 and are a snap to install. Call a locally owned computer store, they usually have more intelligent and helpful staff than a place like Best Buy, and they also usually can help you with buying something used.
2006-12-28 14:56:35 · answer #2 · answered by JoeH 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only difference is where the wireless adapter is connected.
Not sure how old you are planning to buy, but your life will be much easier if you get a laptop that is running Windows XP. Older versions of Windows are a little trickier with the wireless stuff.
2006-12-28 16:24:01 · answer #3 · answered by KLDubya 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Almost all new laptops have built in wireless capabillities... What this means is that you can use the school's network to get information from the web.....
I would not bother with old laptops since you will get most new laptops for almost the same cost and you inherit someone else's problem.... You can get a new laptop for $300-400....
2006-12-29 07:24:43 · answer #4 · answered by JohnS 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u usb wireless will plug into the usb slot on ur laptop and a long wire which wil have a wireless card at the end. the wireless card is a card that will go into the slot of ur laptop
2006-12-28 14:54:29 · answer #5 · answered by Sagar 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a wireless card plugs into you pmica slot ... big slot or older computers or if you have a usb you can plug it in there...both work the same
2006-12-28 14:55:29 · answer #6 · answered by dotcombust007 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they both work great! their is not alot of difference between them!!
2006-12-28 14:55:22 · answer #7 · answered by networker 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋