can someone please try to explain how internet works with a lap top?

Question

i need to get a lap top but i need to understand how the internet works with it. i know that i need something to put into the laptop to get service. i would like a data card so i can go outside too with my laptop. but does it cost money per month to get internet on the data card? and also, can i get this data card in best buy?

Answer 1

Hi. If you already have internet service then the wireless part does not have any fee at home. Some places also have free wi-fi. The card you want (if your laptop does not have an internal wireless card) is called a PC slot card. Get one that uses the "G" specification. Faster. If you mean "Mobile broadband" then yes, that has a fee.

Answer 2

The internet "works" with a lap top in the same way it works with a desk top.

In all cases you need an ISP (Internet service provider) to provide the Internet feed to you.

The ISP can provide the feed via DSL (a phone company), a CATV (cable tv internet feed), a T1 (phone company), a satellite (usually via a satellite TV provider), a wireless carrier (usually a local company that has local towers), or a cellular carrier. This feed is usually terminated by a carrier provided device (often called a modem).

Often the local user will feed the carrier's feed into a router so several pcs can access the Internet and to create a LAN as well. Sometimes the router has hard wire CAT5 cable links to the pcs, other times they use a wireless local area network, and sometimes they use a mix of the two. In all these cases, the notebook or desk top links to the LAN via either wired CAT5 or wireless 802.11 standard devices. Wireless in this case is limited to a close range (usually under 100 meters). Of course wired is limited to wire length and CAT5 Ethernet is limited to a wire length of 100 meters.

Many notebooks come with a built in 802.11 wireless LAN for connection to a wireless LAN (Wi Fi at "free" hot spots are examples of 802.11 public access sites).

The only different device is the cellular internet device. This, like cell voice, is a broadband device that is available wherever the carrier has a cell signal. You need a special adapter for the notebook and this adapter plugs into the notebook pcmcia slot (most note books have 2 such slots built in). The cellular internet signal, unlike almost all others, is not designed for multi use via a router or Internet Connection Sharing. Cellular internet is more costly than others and signal strength is uncertain.

I suggest you first determine what you need. Perhaps your needs can be supplied by a DSL or CATV at home and public Wi Fi elsewhere. If so, a lap top with built in wireless is fine (I would not want a lap to with out wireless built in).

If you really need the cellular internet carrier BE SURE to check out signal strength in areas you will likely want it - and select a carrier who fits your need. The cellular carrier will provide the pcmcia card for their use - this is provider specific.

I hope the above has helped.

Answer 3

You can get anything at best buy. I think you need a wireless internet card in the computer, and a wireless router nearby. So put a wireless router in your home. They need to be set up so that they can talk to each other, and so that only your computer knows the password for your router at home.

Answer 4

if u wna run internet with a wire then u hav 2 buy a laptop with modem....n if with wireless ..then u hav 2 buy a laptop with wireless technology....n after tht u hav 2 buy a wireless modem tht cost u abt $100.....n u can go anywhere within 10-15 meter of range. n with datacard tht cost is provided by survice provider..i think its about 60$ per month with 5 gb download.

Answer 5

just buy a pcmcia wi-max card, subscribe with your local ISP and you can get internet access all over, or else if you buy a laptop with integreted wi-fi, you can find free wi-fi hotpot and use internet for free...