Connecting to the internet using a laptop

I will be living in dorm this fall and I'm wondering how do I connect to the internet using my notebook. Do I need a wireless router, or would the notebook adapter card be enough? I really don't understand the difference of the two (wireless router and notebook adapter card). The guy at Office Depot told me that I needed a wireless router, but do I also need a notebook adapter card? And also, which wireless router (or notebook adapter card) should I get that would be compatible with HP DV2000 and Vista? Thanks.

 

A wireless Lan or 802.11 a,b,g, or n work just like a cordless phone. you need to have a base (wireless router) in order for it to pick up something. the router broadcasts the internet signal in a small area, again like a cordless phone. so you can only go so far and it is affected by things like walls, microwaves, tv's, etc... if you get an aircard it works like a cell phone. just like a cell phone you have to pay for the service through your cell company. You also have a limit on the use simular to minutes. this is a separate unit that you purchase from the cell phone company that you plug into your computer. depending on your notebook you can get different kinds. check with your manufacture for info. also, check with your current cell company for info on the air card. if your dorm offers free internet with your room, go with just a wireless router.

 

oh, also, wireless routers are universal. as long as you match the letter a,b,g, or n.... if you have a wireless g card, get a wireless g router for optimal performance. BTW, g is the standard and most common. this is what most OEM's put in their systems.

 

Thanks. Apparently, at my school, all we need to have is an ethernet cable that would be connected to the wall port. Is that (ethernet cable) all I really need?

 

All schools are different. The cat5e may be only for the dorm. Make sure you have one long enough to cover your area, 15' should cover you, where 25' may be an over kill. You will probably use wireless in most class rooms.

 

The simple thing to do is just buy the cable and plug in.

If after a while you decide you don't like the computer being tethered to the wall, you can buy a wireless router and set that up. Any reasonably new laptop will come with a wireless adapter card in it already... that almost certainly applies to your dv2000t.

 

Yes. You probably just need an ethernet cable. Your school may also provide a wireless access point. You almost certainly do NOT need your own router or AP.

Basically, ask your campus IT department. We aren't the experts on how they have things set up If you bought your laptop in the last 3 years or so, you should be fine to connect to any network they have.

 

Thanks for all your help, everyone.

 

Hi,

I know that your question has been answered, but can I just recomend Vodafone's wireless PCMCIA card that lets you access internet from anywhere in the world and is easy to install.

It's really good!

 

Those are nice, but require you to pay for a subscription. When he's already paying the school for tuition, his tech fees are part of that, so they should get him connected to the Internet.

Cellular Internet cards are great, but not for everyone

 

Just to clarify, so that means, if you have a a/b/g/n card, then that would mean, it would be fine for all 4, with optimal performance?

 

Yep that's right