how much would it cost...

[ihaveastupidquestion]

to enable a laptop to use a wireless broadband connection?

have namechanged as am meant to be on a break....

If you're on a break, what do you need wireless broadband for?

I don't really understand the question. Does the laptop not have a wireless card?

my laptop has a wireless capability (lot of the newer ones do) and AOL sent me the router for free in excahange for signing up for another 12 months

20-25 quid for a wireless adaptor.
Although most new laptops haver this built in, quite a few older ones don't.

blimey is that all?

i need wireless internet for...um...shopping at boden ,obv not mn...

not sure how old the laptop is tbh - not veryold - it has a modem and can be plugged into the net and all.

i don't know much about puters, please post in words of one syllable

what exactly does a wireless adaptor look like? is it something you plug in or do you have to have it installed? can i just wander into currys or pc world and ask or will they look at me in strange patronising way?

They come in two flavours, one you stick in the laptop (called either PCMCIA or PC Card) or USB.
The USB ones are a bit slower.

Do you have a wireless broadband connection already? You need a modem + wireless hub, at the other end.

Your laptop may already have a wireless card - is it 5 years old? 2? I don't know how to check, though - don't you have a local friendly geek who can have a poke around?

(Well, I could probably walk you through some options, when I'm on my laptop ...)