Wireless card??? HELP PLEASE

Question

Ok, i'm thinking about getting a laptop from one of thoes rent a centers...and the women that works there says in order to be about to use wi-fi you have to get the card and if cost 80 a month..to get one..and thats not the internet even...so i wondering if shes right...because it seems wrong to me...i am not talking about the internet service eather..like att or sprint..just the card...

Answer 1

There are 2 wireless internet options when it comes to laptops. WiFi and cellphone modems. Regardless of which you want to use you are going to need a card that plugs into the laptop if it doesn't have one inside it already.

The WiFi (802.11) card has to connect wirelessly to a WiFi router or access point which has to be connected to a modem (cable, DSL, or otherwise), which is connect to the internet through your internet service provider. The benefit is a lot of coffee shops and bookstores and hotels provide (often free) wireless internet access through this method.

The cell modem card uses cellphone towers to connect to the internet through your cell sevice provider. The benefit here is you can go anywhere you get a cell signal (as long as they are the right kind of towers) and get online.

If your spending most of your time in the city/suburbs then the WiFi is more than likely the cheepest way to go as a router may cost you $40, the card should cost another $40, and the ISP might charge you $40 per month for unlimited access. If you decide to go WiFi just buy the card and wireless router/access point, don't bother renting them.

If you spend lots of time in rural areas the cell modem might be a better choice, though often you pay for the sevice and for how much internet you use. Its really only cost effective for checking email. Often times when your considering it, its the only option.