How does a wireless lap top receive a signal?

Question

I'm thinking of buying my first one and don't want to have to connect to a telephone line and want to be able to use it in a vehicle.

Answer 1

If you buy your laptop as is, it will definitely have a wifi card.  Some do come with a cellular card built right in, but it is rare.

You can use your laptop to get Internet if you are close to a hotel, fast food restaurants, or a coffee shop.  This would be more like the pay phone days, but it is a little bit better than pay phones.  If you need it no matter where you are, then it will cost you.  You will need to find a cell phone carrier than offers cellular Internet.

Answer 2

A wireless laptop receives signal via a WiFi connection.  Places like coffee shops often provide free WiFi.  To set up a wireless connection at home would require a router (ex. DLink DI-624)