when I purchase a laptop do I need to have an acct w/an internet provider or can I purchase a wireless pc card

Answer 1

You do not need an account with a Internet provider to buy a laptop.
To access the Internet wirelessly at home, you will need an account with an Internet provider who provides DSL or cable. Hook up all the equipment for DSL or cable. A technician from the company can also do that for you.
Then, you need an wireless router like this one ( an example)- http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WRT54G-Wireless-G-Router/dp/B00007KDVI/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-9270502-1566365?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1178641024&sr=8-1

If you don't have a DSL or wireless router at home, there are some unsecure wireless hotspots (like at a public library) in which your laptop can dectect if your laptop has wireless internet access set up already. Not all wireless hotspots are free.
Some laptops from Dell or HP come with a built-in internel wireless card and so you would not do buy a wireless pc card. Others do not have a built -in wireless card and so you would need to buy one.

From my experience, I had a built-in internal wireless card and had to call my internet provider's technical service to help me set up my laptop to access the internet wirelessly .

Answer 2

You question is Confusing. When you buy a laptop nowadays most of the come with a wi-fi setup. Where you can go to a local hot spot and get on Internet for free. However not all hot spots are free.

If you're looking for a wireless PC card you'll wont have to many choices to choose from. Its probably either be Sprint, ATT, Verizon etc. Which will allow you to take you laptop pretty much anywhere and use it wireless.

So the answer depends on where and how you plan on using it. You don't have to account with anyone to use Internet but if you want portability of you laptop in probably wouldn't hurt to have wireless PC card.

Answer 3

Most laptops today have a wi-fi card or antenna built in. So you don't necessarily need a wireless pc card unless you have an older laptop that has no wireless capabilities.

Some companies have pc cards like Sprint that they give you so you can access their network signals and of course you have to pay for this access. These cards plug into your PCMIA slot in your laptop.

Unless you are planning to mooch off of free signals, you don't necessarialy need an internet provider. Windows wireless network wizard will show networks in your area and the strength of signal and if they are locked down and need a password.

Hot spots like starbucks require you to download a program and pay for their signals. You can use your wi-fi card in your notebook if you have one. Again this is a pay-for-use feature.

Most people have free email accounts like Yahoo or Google mail so they can use a hot spot to access the internet and check their mail.

So it is possible to have a laptop and not have internet service provider.

Answer 4

A wireless PC card will only allow you to access the internet from unsecured free wi fi spots, such as hotels, Starbucks, and the like offering free wi fi access. If there is no wi fi transmitter near you when you are at home, you will get no connection.

Answer 5

either, depending on the way you want to get hooked up, if you go wireless get the wireless card and go with a provider in your area, such as sprint, or verizon. They will cost a monthly plan, and if you want like, High speed connection, you can always go with something like Roadrunner, or Comcast, or Yahoo! DSL. Any of those will work, of course, you have to pay monthly with whatever you choose. I go wirelessly, without a plan, I just go to hotspots, or boost of my neighbors =)