Could someone explain wireless internet, and how it works on a laptop?

Question

I understand the basic concept, but not much more. I have only used dial-up, so I am stumped. I am about to purchase a laptop. If I take it to a place that has a wireless connection (and the laptop is wireless) then how do I get online? (I may not be using correct terms...) Wouldn't I have to get a username and password that works in the place that I am trying to connect at? Or does it just work automatically? How does the laptop know how to get me online at that particular location? Can I still use dial-up if that is my only internet option? How much more expensive is being wireless?

Answer 1

There is not really wireless internet via Wi-Fi.

What you are doing is connecting to a local Wi-Fi network that happens to have internet access.

So Starbucks or Panera Bread or whoever has a network that has a router with an internet connection. Any requirement for a username/password/internet account is taken care of by their router. Any computer that connects to that network (wired or wireless) can share that internet connection.


So, what you need to do is to take your shiny new laptop to Starbucks and connect to their network. Typically the system will pop up a wizard when it sees a new wireless network, or there may be an icon on the lower right of the task bar that will pop up a message. It varies on your operating system and also on the manufacturer of the laptop.

Once you follow the instructions and have connected to the network all you have to do is open up a web browser (I would recommend the latest version of Firefox myself) and it will find the internet access and get you online.

What you do at home is not affected by this. But you can do the same thing, what you need is a Wi-Fi router. The caveat on that is that I am not aware of any routers that have dial-up. (There may be some I have not looked) So you would need to upgrade to some form of broadband, which is probably going to cost more than your existing dial-up, but will be a LOT faster.

One option on this is to get cable broadband. Tell the phone company to go take a flying leap and get a VOIP phone system. Vonage Lingo and others all do a flat fee for calls to the US and Western Europe. They can also transfer your existing phone number so no one has to learn a new one (set up the VOIP before you tell the phone company to go hang-up).

So if your phone bill is more than the cost of broadband + VOIP you will actually come out ahead.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Usually you'll need a broadband connection, i.e. DSL or better, hook up the modem to a wireless router. If your laptop has a built in wireless receiver, an access point device and wireless card will not be necessary. Use the wireless router to set up a network for your home area and be sure to make it password protected. The range for these networks is usually 100-150 feet. The instruction book for the router will tell you how to configure all this. Once logged in for the first time, your laptop will be programmed to log into the network whenever you turn the "wireless" switch on.

I went wireless with my new laptop just a month ago. Since I'm typing this while lying down in my room, that comfort of wireless beats regular internet by far. It also helps that I don't use the rest of the family's desktop anymore. It's not so much expensive in and of itself so much as it requires (I think) broadband. Cable would be the way to go, but it costs. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Most laptops come with a wireless card now days. Make sure yours has it.

If you go somewhere like Starbucks or Mcdonald's that has wireless. Windows will pop a message up saying "wireless networks available" You click the message and it shows you networks. You double click on the one you want and connect. If it has securtity it will ask for a code. You'll have to ask whoever's internet connection what the code is. But if it doesn't have security you will connect right away.

That's it. Just open up your browser and you have the web.

You'll still be able to connect a phone cord for dial up in the back of your laptop yes.

Answer 4

Hello. The best thing to do is get a wireless router. I have a Lynksys and love it. All you do is hook your wireless router up to your modem, and then you are able to use your wireless laptop using your current internet source. A lot of them allow you to set up security so that a password is needed to access the signal (mine allows my computer to store it so I can automatically access my network as soon as I turn on my computer). I didn't know a thing about all this when I got my laptop either! :)

Answer 5

If you take a wireless laptop to a "hotspot", the laptop sees the wireless connection. You can tell the laptop to connect to it. If the service is not free, you will find out quickly. Most laptops still include a modem (do check) which you will need if you are in the boonies with no wireless.