IS it better to buy a laptop with built in wireless or get a wireless card?

Question

Explain,please I am looking to buy a laptop for school. Thanks for all your help and answers.

Answer 1

Built-in wireless is better :)

Answer 2

If your gonna buy a new laptop then it will most likely have built-in wireless and a slot for a wireless card. I would buy one with both. I think that the built-in often has weaker connections and is slower but it might be satisfactory to your wants and needs. Also, technology improves so constantly that there will always be a newer, better wireless card, at least by the time you buy a new laptop anyway. If all you have is built-in you will probably regret it in the future.

Answer 3

You can't buy a new laptop today that doesn't have built in wireless. If you're looking at used laptops old enough to not have built in wireless, I'd save up a little longer and get a better machine.

In terms of signal reception, that hasn't been an issue for internal wireless for about two years. That's a long time in the computer world.

Short answer, get the internal wireless.

Answer 4

All new laptops have built in wireless. The advantage of a phone card allows you to go on line anywhere as long as you can get a signal. Built in wireless is great as long as you can access the WiFi network or can get the WEP key to access the wireless network.

Phone cards are an additional expense on top of your cell phone bill. About $50-$60 a month with credit approval and 1yr. contract.

Answer 5

Since almost the new laptop only have one PCMCI slot.... than better you buy a built in one.....
save for another important device for that

Why buy internal ????
1. You no need worry you breaking an antenna or the device it self, when carrying the laptop on your bag.
2. Most every built in wireless WIFI, it is also have a bluetooth ! so you do not need buy another external bluetooth card/usb
3. the weight you carry is not increase.....
4. To activate... you just push the WIFI button to turn on the WIFI / Bluetooth.
5.If you not buy an internal one...... everybody will ask you.. "Hey man why you not buy an internal WIFI ?" hehehe :-)

For PCMCI slot... you can use for another...
If you want still online where is no HOT SPOT, use your PCMCI for GSM or CDMA modem card, it is using 3.5 G technologi(for GSM) or EVDO (For CDMA).....
I'am using this modem wireless card when there is no HOT SPOT to connect to internet.

If you are an adventure person, use your PCMCI for GPS.....

So also chose The internal WIFI and also have a bluetooth too !! SAVE your PCMCI slot for another important device..

I hope this will help you

Answer 6

New laptops have WiFi ... the latest is 802-11g.

Older laptops often don't have wireless, so you would need to add a card. If you budget is $350 you can typically buy an older laptop and add wifi and get the laptop for under $400.

In most cases the wifi cards have similar functionality, so in most cases they should all work fine for your school needs.

Answer 7

I would get a wireless card, if your built in wireless screws up your screwed. You would have to get a wireless card to use the internet, or have a direct connection. But if you have a wireless card, you can always get a new one if it screws up on you. And
with some companies the wireless card is reasonable cheap...

Answer 8

I say buy a card even though your labtop is going to have wireless. Because my labtop has a wireless port and the only thing is that I have trouble finding a single or a line to connect to!!!

So buy a card even though you will have a wireless labtop!

Answer 9

Hi. I have both but the internal is type b (11 Mbps) and the external PC card is type g (54 Mbps). Both seem to work well.

Answer 10

Built in is best. It's hardly going to cost you more, and for the good reasons above, It's less hassle and you can't loose your dongle (you really don't want to loose your dongle).