Newbie Wireless Broadband Query

eirman

I know a fair bit about building / upgrading PCs, hard-wired peer-to-peer networks etc, but I know very little about wireless networking.

A friend of mine has Eircom broadband connected to her PC. I am buying her a laptop. What spec should I look for on the laptop so she can connect wirelessly to the broadband in her house and to Hotspots about town? What equipment do I need to add to her PC / Broadband connection ?

All advice will be appreciated.

NotMe

You should get a laptop with built in 802.11g wifi card. And you also need a wireless router like this one: http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=508&scid=35.

Nukem

NotMe wrote:

You should get a laptop with built in 802.11g wifi card. And you also need a wireless router like this one: http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=508&scid=35.

Never a truer word spoken. Linksys are supposed to be one of the best in the business. The G band is also the latest and greatest at the mo so have a look around for the good deals,try www.elara.ie search linksys.
Also when you are doing it make sure you have a secure WEP from the router-dont't want the nextdoor neighbour piggy-backing do we

kazzer

I use this on my desktop, its also suitable for laptops. I think its great, it was reduced in Argos recently - about €35 I think. Plus you can bring it back to Argos if you dont like it!

Belkin Wireless G USB Network Adapter

eirman

Thanks for all the advice

NotMe

kazzer wrote:

I use this on my desktop, its also suitable for laptops. I think its great, it was reduced in Argos recently - about €35 I think. Plus you can bring it back to Argos if you dont like it!

Belkin Wireless G USB Network Adapter

Yeah that's good but if you're buying a new laptop you might as well get one with a card built-in.

kazzer

But will you pay through the nose for a 802.11g card onboard? I honestly dont know, do they come as standard in laptops now?

dub45

eirman wrote:

I know a fair bit about building / upgrading PCs, hard-wired peer-to-peer networks etc, but I know very little about wireless networking.

A friend of mine has Eircom broadband connected to her PC. I am buying her a laptop. What spec should I look for on the laptop so she can connect wirelessly to the broadband in her house and to Hotspots about town? What equipment do I need to add to her PC / Broadband connection ?

All advice will be appreciated.

There are currently some good prices on 'g' routers because most of the manufacturers have now introduced an additional range of even faster routers - this is largely irrelevant for internet purposes so stick with the'g' for reasonable prices and some degree of futureproofing.

Both the Linksys wag54g and Netgear Dg834g which include a modem are availablein IT Direct for around 120 euro this is a really good price compared to what was being charged recently for them. Some of the online retailers will offer 'bundle' prices which include a laptop wireless card.

Don't concentrate too much on the wireless aspect for the spec of the laptop as a wireless card can added to virtually any laptop while others can be found with the wireless card already built in. From what you say about the laptop being used for accessing hotspots in town weight might be a consideration so keep an eye on that.