Page 1 of Wireless connection - internal or external

I getting a new laptop and will shortly be signing up for broadband. As the machine will be used in different rooms in the house, I want a wireless internet connection.

However, the laptops I want to buy (spec/ price etc) don`t have wireless as standard but the one`s that do tend to have specs higher than what I need and cost more. (budget is £400 but could go £500 ABSOLUTE MAX.

Is it easy to set up a wireless connection to a basic laptop using say a plug on card or aerial or should I take a deep breath and pay the extra to have it on board when I buy.

Or does has anybody seen any good wireless machines for the budget above.

Miek J

It`s very easy to make any laptop or PC wireless now. Just buy a USB wireless adapter, plug it in and away you go.

OK so you need to set up security etc but I wouldn`t rule out a laptop just because it aint wi-fi enabled.

Totally agree to that - in fact PCWorld have the Netgear DG834T (128 mbps) wireless router and USB adaptor/PCMCIA card for £129. Works like a charm and superfast!

Another way to look at it is that if you want to up your wireless network speed - you can change the router/adaptor but if it is inbuilt, it will be painful to upgrade! Plus the max inbuilt I have seen is G - which is half the speed of the Netgear

OK. So two votes for extrenal at the moment. Must admit, I didn`t realise the wireless adaptor cost that much or is that becuase it`s such a good one.

Chances are the access will only be for accessing email, daughters doing research for school or playing on things like CBBC web-site and also generally browsing. At present don`t think I`ll need to be able to cope with online gaming etc.

Will this make a differnce to the type of adaptor I need? Please keep advice coming as I like to get as much as possible before I jump in.
Mike J

Hi

you can easily get a laptop for £500 with built in 802.11g (54Mbps)
have a look at the acer laptops on ebuyer.

admittedly, it would be pretty much impossible to upgrade to a faster
speed without adding an external wireless adaptor, but as you`ve mentioned,
you only really want it for internet browsing, so 54Mbps will be fine.

as for the £129 cost in the previous post, i think you`ll find that`s for a ROUTER
and a USB adaptor bundle. most USB adaptors (11g) are around £15 - £30.

Ste.

........is that gasoline i smell?

This item was edited on Friday, 2nd September 2005, 15:07

Quote:
as for the £129 cost in the previous post, i think you`ll find that`s for a ROUTER
and a USB adaptor bundle. most USB adaptors (11g) are around £15 - £30.

Yup.

Try here:

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Toshiba_Satellite_Pro_L10_PSL15E-00F0179I/version-2.asp

I`d suggest upgrading the RAM on any Laptop that uses shared graphics.

Good Luck

Nick

This item was edited on Sunday, 4th September 2005, 10:44

are you still after a laptop ? only i`m thinking about selling my Sony vaio. it`s 8 months old & has barely been used, all boxed as new etc etc, if interested let me know & i`ll dig out the model number & spec (i`ll even throw in an 802.11g 54mbps pcmcia wi-fi card)

EDIT=rough spec as follows.

The Sony Vaio K series of laptops have been designed for mainly home use, as they have Microsoft Windows XP Home as an operating system and are a good all round machine.
A stunning specification at a great price. The Sony K215B is an ideal notebook for home use such as internet use, word processing, production of DVDs & CDs, and basic graphics activities.

Features

Intel® Celeron® Processor 2.80 GHz
512MB
40Gb
DVD +/- RW burner
15" TFT XGA (1024x768) X-black
64 MB ATI RADEON IGP 345M
Wired LAN
Microsoft Windows XP Home
3.5 KG
2 Hours battey life


EDIT X 2= better spec sheet here ;) http://www.dealtime.co.uk/xPF-Sony_Vaio_K215B

i should note however that they are all i bit misleading when they talk about the graphics card, whilst it is a 64meg ati radeon the memory is taken from system, ie, the overall ram built into the system is 512meg - 64meg for the gfx, tbh this does not really effect anything as it still runs very nicely (in fact it runs unreal tournament 2004 flawlessly) but it should still be mentioned :)

This item was edited on Sunday, 4th September 2005, 18:14

BTW - PCWorld has slashed the Netgear package to 89. I can vouch for the performance - totally painless config and brilliant connection!

Ogster

Thank for email. At present just looking to get ideas. Think I`m more likely to be buying in run-up to Christmas (prezzy for kids) but if daughter needs for school sooner, arm moaybe forced.

Miek J