Newbie --Help- Quesions about different Wireless options--before I buy...

I have never owned a Notebook but have 2 Dell desktops at home, we have Verizon DSL with one of those Westell Versalink Routers which we currently have the wirelss set to off and use 2 ethernet wires connecting the computers. I plan to buy a Dell 6000 notebook, and I see it has some option of a 2200 wireless, or some Blue Tooth option that costs $60 more. I do not know what any of this means. Then I have heard that some notebooks use external cards. What is the best option for me --having Verizon DSL with this Versalink Router? Is this 2200 thing internal or external? Is the Blue Tooth internal or external? I was weary of getting something internal, thinking when it goes bad, what do you do ? Do all these notebooks offer an external option also ? Help !

 

the 2200 is a (internal) wifi card. if you turn the wifi option on on the router, you will be able to connect wirelessly. bluetooth is short range communication for devices like cel phones, pdas, etc. it doesn't have anything to do with connecting to the internet.

EDIT: internal cards are removeable/upgradeable

 

Sounds like I would not need the Blue tooth at all then, I have no PDA and my cell phone is a simple older tracfone that i barely use. I see Dell also offers an Internal 2915 wirelss, I guess this is better? I do not understand how you can get on the internet outside of your house-your wirelss router? Does these internal cards work will other people's wireless routers? and/or can I plug my computer into a friends phone line to use thier dial up? Thanks!

 

a wifi router only has a certain range, you may be able to connect from your front and/or backyards.

yes, you can connect to any wifi router (coffee shops, bookstores, libraries, etc.) as long as they provide access to the public.

the 2915 is a newer, more robust intel wifi card.

 

I thought the 2915 is just a tri-mode card(supports a/b/g)? No benefits over the 2200 for the home user.

OverRunWithSons...basically there's a few different type of wireless networks. B and G are compatible(G being a faster implementation...but all B and G cards work on either B and G routers...just at whatever the highest speed both of them support). The A version is more common in the corporate environment and really isn't probably necessary for a home user. If you don't think you need it, you don't. There's a newer type out there too, but it's not really standardized yet and I wouldn't even worry about it.

So the 2200 card is fine.

 

What happens if I have a problem with these internal cards? DOes all these notebooks also have a external PCI (?) card slot for adapter wireless (or whatever you call it)-that is what used to be used, right?

 

Another question I have is... about networking, etc. All I care about is getting my notebook to be able to use the internet. Period. I have no desire what so ever to "network" (Or whatever you call this) with my 2 other Desktops, or to use my printers, etc. Does that mean my initial set up will be VERY VERY simple --as in just making my ROuter with Wireless capabilty, and I am ready to go?

 

the problems you would have with an internal card are the same problems you would have with an external card. it's not hardwired to the computer. it's just a minipci card that goes into a minipci card slot on the bottom of your computer.

yeah, the 2915 supports 'a', i was just trying to describe it in layman's terms.

the initial setup will be simple, just turn on, launch browser, the end. it would be wise, however, to setup some security on your network, but you can cross that bridge when you get to it.

 

Ok, but what if the INTERNAL card goes bad, won't it be a real pain in the Butt to change the thing, wouldnt' the external card be better, as you can simply go buy another one, or do all these new computers also have an external slot for an external wireless card so if the internal goes, I can simply get an external card??

 

I found this, this guy preferred this External better, and didn't use his internal, I just want to make sure I have the option of BOTH or I might want to get an older notebook which has the external option. http://www.siteexperts.com/forums/viewConverse.asp?d_id=16781&Sort=0

 

You can get external cards for PCMCIA or for USB. Every modern notebook has both of these.

 

think of it this way, the "guts" on either card are identical. the only difference is how it plugs into the computer. one you open a door and pop it into a slot like you would a RAM chip, the other you pop into the PC Card slot.

why you would want to forego the convenience of not having to carry around an extra card and then insert/remove every time you wanted to log on, i'm not sure. it also means you won't have access to your PC Card slot should you want to be connected and use something else at the same time.

i think your fears of an internal card having problems are unfounded.

 

Yep...don't worry about. You can get external, you can replace your internal...but the odds of it just going bad are slim.

Those who complain about the performance are doing some hardcore gaming or large file transfers. You just want internet. You won't be taxing the performance of a basic wireless setup.

Don't worry about it.

 

think about it this way, if it works, more convience, if it doesn't just get a USB wifi adapter, its as big as a noramal USB Flash, and many don't have protruding antennas. you could probably pick one up for around 30 bux, *i got the last airlink one at fry's for a discount of around 40 bux and got it down to $17*

oh and i think sum cards or notebooks offer pre-n, a first version the new standard they trying to get approved, however i don't understand why anyone would get because when the real 802.11n comes out, the pre-n version might not be compatible, and extra cost for nothing.
And i believe that one of the guidlines for approval was that it have to be backward compatible with b and g.

just a little thought...