I want a wireless Laptop type thingy?

lionelflare

Hello all,

I want to buy a laptop and be able to connect to the internet anywhere in the house. I havnt a clue what Im looking for or what I need to buy.
I currently have my desktop connected to broadband. can I use the same service(blueyonder) or do i need to switch providers?
i also want a slot to put my memory stick duo as i have sony camera and mobile.

can anybody tell me what i need to buy??

woo

have a look at the acer laptops in tesco - the acer aspire 5601 has wireless and a memory stick slot, certainly does pro-duo.

you would need to get a wireless router to attach to your cable modem, should be plent of other threads about that.

albertross_2

you need one of these and a wireless enabled laptop.

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopSearch.asp?CategoryID=65

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?ProductID=539

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=2471408&postcount=37

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=2471410&postcount=38

lionelflare

Thanks for the info. IS there anything that I should definately get re router or do they all pretty much do the same?

With the laptop as long as it says wifi does that mean it will work with the router?

going2die_rich

You haven't said if your current broadband connection is wireless or not. If it isn't wireless you'll also need a wireless router to replace your existing connection. Which will mean you'd need to either fit a wireless network card in your PC or a Wireless Stick needs to be plugged into your PC (it's just like a USB memory stick, the choice is whichever your preference is). You don't need to change your ISP as they don't care whether it's wireless or not.

Obviously you need to pick a laptop that says it's wireless enabled else you can get PCI cards to make your laptop wireless but this does require the relevant slot. Although most laptops being sold now are wireless enabled so you shouldn't need the card to make it wireless.

I've included a link below which will give you the background to whats needed for wireless networks. Read this as it'll show you what to look for in a wireless router as you need to consider secuirty (as you don't want any neighbours accessing your data), speed (different standard types) and also the distance which you can travel before losing connection.

http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/webmaster/article.php/3624666%20

Hope this helps

espresso

going2die_rich wrote:

You haven't said if your current broadband connection is wireless or not. If it isn't wireless you'll also need a wireless router to replace your existing connection.

It is not necessary for everything to be connected using wireless i.e. the existing PC can remain connected via cable. As I understand the first post, it's about adding a new laptop that can be used connected via wireless for use 'anywhere in the house'. If the present modem has an Ethernet port, all that would be needed is a simple wireless access point (half the cost) and obviously a WiFi equipped laptop.

HTH

lionelflare

Would the dell inspiron spec below be ok to connect to a wireless router? and would it be ok for general surfing and playing the odd game (probably only the new football manager)


SYSTEM COMPONENTS
N08645 Inspiron 6400 Qty 1
Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2050 (1.60 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 533 MHz FSB), Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition, SP2 (incl Symantec PC Restore Recovery) Unit Price Excl. VAT £586.17
Catalog Number: 202 N08645
Module Description Show Details
Base Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2050 (1.60 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 533 MHz FSB)
Microsoft Operating System Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition, SP2 (incl Symantec PC Restore Recovery)
Memory 512MB 533MHz Single Channel DDR2 SDRAM (1x512)
Keyboard Internal Keyboard - UK/Ire (QWERTY)
Video Card 256MB ATI® Mobility™ Radeon® X1400 HyperMemory™ graphics card
Hard Drive 60GB (5,400rpm) Hard Drive
Floppy Drives No Floppy Drive Option
Modem 56.6k V.92 Capable Internal Modem & Adapter
CD/DVD Drives Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW with Software
Sound Cards Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy® ADVANCED HD™ Audio- Trial Version
Wireless Local Area Networking Intel® Pro Wireless 3945 802.11a/b/g Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card for Duo Processors
Shipping Documents System Documentation
Gedis Bundle Reference List N08645 - DHS 6400 (1)
Microsoft Application Software Microsoft® Works 7.0 - English
Standard Warranty Collect & Return, 1 Year Service only
Cover It with Dell Support Services Collect & Return, 1 Year Service only
AntiVirus & Security Software No Security/Anti-Virus Protection
Power Supply 65W AC Adapter
Digital Photography Combo: Paint Shop® Pro and Photo Album® Trial
Order Information Inspiron Order - UK
Primary Battery 9 Cell, 80Whr Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Carrying Cases No Carrycase
Dell System Media Kit No Resource CD
Ghost 10 Ghost 10 - 90 Day Trial
Colour Choice No Snap on LCD Back Cover
Dell Media Experience Dell™ Media Experience 3.0 Basic
Adobe Reader Adobe Reader 6.0 - English
Dell Internet Order Dell Internet Order.
Network assistant Network Assist - 90 Day Trial
LCD 15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display

TOTAL Excl. VAT:£586.17

Fruitcake

I've just bought a D-Link wireless router to do exactly what you want to do. The only problem I had was getting the pc to use the router instead of the BT Broadband modem that was the default setting.
The router cost me about 75 quid and included a wireless "dongle" which looks like a memory stick and allows you to use a non-wireless computer on a wireless network.
Basically, you buy a laptop with built in wireless, and a wireless router. Plug the router into your pc in place of your existing modem or phone line and install the software that comes with the router, (or the other way round if that's what the instructions say.)
Then install the software onto the laptop and you should be underway.
Alternatively, buy a non wireless laptop and get a router with a "dongle" that plugs into the laptop to convert it to wireless.
One thing to remember, the router needs to be switched on to get the wireless internet connection to work.
You don't need to change or inform your internet provider about any of this.

Fruitcake

You Only Listen To Me Whe I'm Wrong