Wireless Internet without a Router?

Question

Hey guys
im going to be getting a new laptop in the next few weeks and was going to also buy a router so that i can have wireless internet.
however my boyfriend told me that hes seen a laptop were the router is built into the laptop and you dont need one to be able to surf the internet wirelessly.
id never heard of anything like this before. is it true and if so how does it work? do u still need a wireless card?

Answer 1

I think your BF is full of bananas but even if there were such a beast you would still need a wireless internet provider! Sounds like your boyfriend is confusing a wifi compatible laptop with a wireless router.

Answer 2

You can get some PCs (thought I haven't seen such a laptop) which have more than just a built-in wireless card. They have full wireless access points. However, you still need some device to interface that to.

Essentially, assuming you have broadband (ADSL, cable, etc.), the very least you will need is a modem. Note that this isn't a traditional dial-up modem, but a DSL or cable modem. If you don't need any further devices in the property to use the internet (so no NAT and no routing), that's all you actually need, though I've never seen a wireless modem that doesn't also incorporate a router and some kind of firewall.

So...if you want to just open your laptop and surf wirelessly, you will need an additional device. This isn't a big cost nowadays. A DSL modem with built-in router, firewall, ethernet switch and wireless access point can be had for £40 if you look. I can recommend something like the Netgear DG834G, which is excellent, though there are lots available from a variety of manufacturers.

kp

Answer 3

Im in the Technical field and so far I have never heard of a laptop that has a router built in there are cards you can buy that will allow you to access the internet via satelite or using cell phone towers the cards usually run 100 dollars or more and cost around 30 bucks a month. If you plan on using your own internet at home you still need a router for wireless and the card.

Answer 4

He is partly right, but if you want to use your laptop at home you will need a wireless router. Lynksys had a good one for $70. When you purchase your laptop make sure that it is wireless capable. No card is necessary if system is wireless capable.

You may be able to get online if one of your neighbors has a wireless connection

Don't do something like buy a used laptop.

If you know the type of laptop that you are getting, email me with the specs and I'll tell you exactly what you need or don't need. Take the time to be sure, don't guess and buy something that you don't need. My email is [e-mail]

Ciao

Answer 5

Your laptop will more than likely come with a wireless card, but there is no such things as a built-in router. A router is a separate device that shares a network connection. If you have a wireless card then you can connect to wireless networks wherever it can find a strong enough signal. If you have a neighbor who has a wireless netowkr that isn't secured, you may be able to "borrow" his connection without needing a router yourself...but he probably wouldn appreciate that too much.

Answer 6

hi unless u have access to a network you will need a router

most laptops now have wireless installed but you will need a router if your on a cable modem at the present the router will create the wireless network

Answer 7

thats not a router your friend is talking about, the wireless network card is built-in to most laptops. the router is what connects your LAN to the outside network.

Answer 8

i suppose if you got a real big case for a small motherboard u cud fit a router in there lol aha jk

uhh no, buy a router and get wireless card in laptop

Answer 9

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Answer 10

Never heard of that either. Maybe he was in McDonalds. Some have WiFi access in them. You don't need a router, but there is one you are connecting to (McDonalds has it).