wireless laptops

[Katherine]

Complete novice to the wireless world here.
Am about to purchase new laptop as PC is on its last legs. I'd like to be able to work whereever I like in the house or garden so going wirelss appeals.

What I need to know is if I buy a laptop which says wireless ready etc does that just mean I can plug it in and go online or do I need to do anything else e.g add something to the phoneline, change my internet account etc. Sorry to be a bit dim but can't quite work it out in all the techno jargon!

Thanks

Oooh I can answer this! not good at techno stuff myself but we have just bought a laptop. When it is charged up you can use it anywhere with no wires. You can still use it plugged in or while it charges. The internet however normally needs to be plugged in. You can get loads of free internet options(we use waitrose pay & go)where you only pay for the calls. or you can pay for broadband which is really quick but only worth it if you are going to use it alot. I have seen a product in argos that allows you to have a cable free internet connection. It has a base unit a bit like a cordless phone and another bit you plug into the back of the comp. hope this helps

I don't have my resident techy here, but if nobody replies when he comes home from work he can sort it for you !

I always thought it had to be a networked laptop from a server, but then I am on a network anyway, so maybe I am off. When my laptop was wireless it was just turn it on and the internet was there, but like I say we have a server upstairs (just a computer designed to run the internet). Wireless can be grumpy though, it pops on and off a lot when you move out of the exact range which is a pain in the bum.

Apart from that its fab. Like I say thats not the best answer, but my DBF does sort the internet stuff out at work, and set up our network so I;ll ask him if nobody else can help, but I am sure they will!

To have the net accessible in a wireless way, you need to have:

• a wireless card in the PC - we have a USB wireless card.
• a wireless hub. You can buy one that just plugs into your broadband, and provides wireless for the house. Reception will vary from room to room.

You won't need to change your net access, but you will need something to connect the broadband to the PC, in a wireless sort of way.

I'm probably not making that much sense, sorry, am ill.

yeah,basically you need a unit,called a wireless router that plugs into your phone socket and power supply.

then you plug a card into your laptop that communicates with the router.

and away you go.

you will need broad band though

you will be able to use your laptop wherever there is a free wireless network.

oh blimey ,i took yonks!

Thanks guys so a wireless ready laptop must have the card in place and I will just need a router to connect to the phoneline. I can get one of the 300m ones and plug it in where the line comes in and then work at the table etc.

HOWEVER - does it really only work with broadband? We are in the middle of nowhere with no chance of broadband now or ever. If it will only work with broadband then I may as well just get another desk top

One word of caution. We've been through wireless hell - had a wireless card installed in the laptop but things weren't working properly. Turns out our laptop was burning out the cards so we ended up having a plug in aerial wireless usb adaptor. Check compatability of your laptop with cards as we've found out that not all are.

hi just reviving this thread as i have a question about a wireless laptop and how easy the free wireless networks are to access?are they common or will it be that often when you are out and about you won't be able to connect to the internet?