Wireless Internet Connection?

Question

Recently someone brought their laptop to my apartment. Although I do not have internet access they were able to piggyback off of some wirless internet connection from some nearby building.

If I am going to buy a laptop soon, what EXACTLY do I need the laptop to have in order for me to take it out of the box and connect to this wireless connection???

In other words, if I buy on online, what "specs, hardware, software" do I need to look for in to for this to happen. I would hate to buy something and then find out I need to buy an add-on.

Answer 1

First, you need a router which connects to your modem. Next, if your laptop has a built in wireless thing in it already you don't have to buy a wireless card.

Answer 2

Make sure your new laptop comes with either a Wireless Card or a Built-In Wirless card, for best performance in wireless networks I suggest you buy a CARD not the interior one but the one that'll just go into your laptops slot, make sure it says A/B/G/N, this way you know you'll be able to connect to any wireless network (since G and N are now the types used widley its a good idea to get one with G but get a card with all 4, trust me 10-20 bucks more will be worth it). My suggestion is to buy a Linksys Wirless Card, get the kind with the FATEST head, beause the fatter it is the longer its range, if your able to find a card with a antenna then those are the best because they have the furthest range so you can access a network almost 100 meters or more away. So once again its your choice which to buy either the laptop with the built in card (which i dont recommend since the range is limited) or a card that'll go into the laptop slot and give you a further range.

Answer 3

Although my personal wireless router is unencrypted and open to anyone(my choice), a lot of people might have a problem with you stealing their bandwidth. It really wouldn't hurt much unless that person used the internet all day everyday, but it might be good to at least figure out where the signal is coming from. If someone were to abuse MY access point, I have methods of logging anything that happens on my network. Entering any passwords, credit card numbers, etc on someone's personal wireless access point can be very dangerous if that person knows what they are doing. Chances are it is just someone who doesn't know anything about wireless, plugged it in, and turned it on.

To answer your q, any new laptop you buy today has wireless built in. Just look for 802.11g. Although I haven't seen a new laptop without wireless built in for almost a year and a half now.

Answer 4

You will need a laptop that mentions

A) Integrated Wirless/ Wi-fi connection

I suggest looking either for the Intel Pro/Wireless 1394 connection with A/B/G speed connection support because that is a standard now, otherwise you are getting ripped off. Or look for a laptop that supports Integrated ABG because AMD laptops will use a varitey of chipsets with different components.

Also I suggest you do not piggy back off someones connection with out their permission, becuase that is technically stealing, so either buy a connection or ask the person!

Answer 5

It would be hard to find a new laptop today that doesn't already have a wireless card built it. Just cehcke the speces for wireless card or ask a sales person at the computer store you buy at.

PLEASE do not listen to Shamx..... he is full of it. An internal card is almost always better because the antena goes anound the entire laptop (internally) and is better integrated.

Answer 6

Just make sure that the laptop has built in wireless Ethernet access. Or that it comes with a wireless card. In either case it preferably would be 802.11.G compatible. If not 802.11G, at least 802.11B (which is insecure -- read they can steal your passwords or whaever else you send through their network ). You might want to know that it is highly frowned upon to use someone Else's wireless network. In some places I think it is illegal. Often networks that are not secured, become secured when the owner figures out others are using it. I would insist on 802.11G if I were you. Finally you are really exposing yourself if you use their network. For example if you do internet banking, expect them to clean out your bank account and get credit cards in your name...etc. etc. In other words, don't do it...get your own internet access and if you make it wireless, make sure it is secure with WEP codes at a minimum.

Answer 7

at the same time as i look on the on the spot connections from my computer, most of the networks that happen in my record have safe practices keys that are required to hook up with them. i do not imagine this has some thing to do with how your on the spot connection settings are, yet somewhat how the guy admins of the corresponding networks set up their router and connection. operating example, you may create your own residence/workplace community that you may set a secure practices key for therefore as that others can't get entry to it from elsewhere without it. when I once went to an internet cafe at Starbucks, somewhat than dealing with the safe practices key challenge, I had to sign in for a wifi hotspot plan with the help of T-cellular. I chosen the most inexpensive plan i might want to (first 24 hours free, pay as you bypass for $a million/10min. or $6/hr after that). you would merely want to relocate to an area the position you may %. up a community that would not require a community key to get entry to it. i'm hoping this facilitates. strong success.

Answer 8

most laptops have a wireless modem already installed. You can rob internet signals from your neighbors without guilt.