What exactly is WiFi and is it free?

Question

I'm getting a new laptop and I'm getting wireless internet on it, but is Wifi free wireless internet and how do you use it?

Answer 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wifi

Answer 2

WiFi is wireless Fidelity where wireless technology is a way of recieving data. your new laptop should have wireless capablities but not the internet. you can get free internet at certain hotspots or you can pay for the internet so you can use it where ever you go as long as coverage is available in that area. some laptops have built in provider wireless cards like Verizon EVDO connections or you can buy the portable broadband components by your ISP provider.

Answer 3

nothing is free

Answer 4

WiFi is just one way to connect to the Internet.  Your new laptop probably also lets you connect to the Internet via a built-in Ethernet port (fast), or a dial-up phone modem (slow).  

The WiFi method is handy, since it doesn't require a wire/cord/cable like an Ethernet or dial-up connection does.  WiFi uses radio waves (similar to a cell-phone), but much like a cell-phone, whether it works depends ...

on having a signal present (signal level)

authentication to use the signal (free or encrypted)

Free WiFi is often available at places like motels, hotels, restaurants, etc..  Your laptop has a software utility that will show you which WiFi signals it can detect.  The ones that are considered 'free' are indicated as 'open' or 'unsecure'.  You'll probably also see 'encrypted' signals.  You can connect to those if you know the security key.