Question about laptops and internet... please help?

Question

I'm pretty technologically challenged. I've decided on buying a laptop but I have a few questions regarding internet.

How DOES one get internet on a lap top? I've heard stuff about wireless cards. What are wireless cards? Are they cards you insert into your lap top and they act as modems, giving you internet? Or do these cards catch internet signals from other internet users (kind of like a router)? Is there a way to have your own internet connection on a lap top, without using anyone else's?

Answer 1

if you just want internet around your house and like in cafes or other places that offer wireless internet connection, look for a laptop that already comes with like the card already in there. that way you dont have to buy one later. but you'll still need a good router for the house

Answer 2

You've pretty much guessed all the right things.

First, when you purchase the laptop, see if it has a hard wired network connection and see if it has a built in wireless card.

Most now have the hard wired, and you can get the wireless on any computer today.
You can also add a PCMCIA card to get that access.

Now that you have the hardware, you need to connect directly to your broadband provider's modem, or connect a router to the modem. Personally i never connect without a router because it gives you at least one level of added security.

wired, you just plug a standard ethernet cable from your laptop to the router.

Of course the true portability of a laptop is being free to move around. Most people I know use wireless except those who are afraid of security issues. properly set up, a wireless router can be very secure. If you have someone in your family that already has broadband internet, you can connect directly to their router, or you can use a standard wired router and just add a wireless access point.
Best is buy a wireless router right up front because it can be used both wireless and wired at the same time.

Answer 3

The laptop (I have 2), will have a wireless card in it (It SHOULD anyway). The card will pick up any networks withing range, and will allow you to log on if it isn't secured. It is best to have a router (wireless), so that you have access to a network (your own) at all times. The router is connected to a modem. So, you need a modem, a router, a broadband subscription, AND a wireless card, in order to get on the internet with a laptop. Unless of course you have a modem built-in, in which you can just use dial-up. :)

Answer 4

A wireless card is a piece of hardware that acts as a regular adapter, in that you need a separate router hooked up to another computer. The wireless card receives the router's internet, like you said.

It is also possible to hook up your modem directly to the back/side of your laptop, just like you would for a regular desktop.

Answer 5

Internet works the same on the laptop as it does on a desktop. The wireless internet only works if you have a wireless network setup at home or if your at 'hot spot' that has wireless internet access. Otherwise you just plug into the laptop the same you would with the desktop for internet, if you do not have a wireless network setup at home.

Answer 6

you don't get internet into your l/top, you plugged your laptop into the net (what you're refering to is probably the webbrowser), simply put, imagine the internet is a big fishing net each joint in the net is a computer/ laptop your's is one of the many joints in the net, once you're plugged in, you can acess the information available. the wireless card; for newer l/tops you can't see the card itself its built as an integeral part o your l/top, to be plugged to the net, you need a service provider which you needs to subscribe to, just like having a cell phone, you need a telco & an active sim card in order to make calls

Answer 7

my laptop that im using is wireless free highspeed (ish) internet. you dont have to buy any services such as aol. connects thru wireless networks for ex. Linksys