Tech support ?

[woodstock]

I'm thinking about going wireless by investing in a laptop.

Question is, which would be the best w/o paying a ton of money?

I'd like to have internet access so, info on WiFi would be helpful too.

[therising]

Unfortunately, I may need to know the answer to this question as well.

[HipKat]

Almost all new laptops have WiFi cards installed internally now.
for your house, just buy a Wireless router. Your incomi ng signal, (Cable, right) will plug into it right from the router you have now, and then you have a wireless network in your house.
Follow the directions to setup the network, it's really easy.

[woodstock]

Almost all new laptops have WiFi cards installed internally now.
for your house, just buy a Wireless router. Your incomi ng signal, (Cable, right) will plug into it right from the router you have now, and then you have a wireless network in your house.
Follow the directions to setup the network, it's really easy.

I'm still on dial up.

For all else, What kind of cost are we talking? This is a new experience, so I'm asking.

[yokes]

I'm thinking about going wireless by investing in a laptop.

Question is, which would be the best w/o paying a ton of money?

I'd like to have internet access so, info on WiFi would be helpful too.

you can get a laptop for as little as 400 bucks with a wireless card.

wireless router $30-80

high speed internet varies but expect 30 a month minimum if you want to surf wirelessly

[woodstock]

Is that a $30 min in addition to the cost of high speed each month?

(as in, is that like an added surcharge to be wireless)

[yokes]

Is that a $30 min in addition to the cost of high speed each month?

(as in, is that like an added surcharge to be wireless)

The $30 min is for DSL, Roadrunner or any other high speed internet option.

In order to surf wirelessly you would need one of those. As far as I know there isnt a way to use dialup wirelessly.

The wireless network, asside from the cost of the equipment is free.

[woodstock]

As far as I know there isnt a way to use dialup wirelessly.

I knew that already... lol.

I'm thinking that if I make an upgrade such as this, I don't want my investment to be obsolete in like 10 days.

I think my neighborhood is already WiFi. Or at least that's what I was told. you don't need high speed (verison, etc) if using wifi, or do you?

[yokes]

I knew that already... lol.

I'm thinking that if I make an upgrade such as this, I don't want my investment to be obsolete in like 10 days.

Its computer related its already obsolete!!

Wireless technology has been pretty stable over thet last few years. I got my wireless router 3 or 4 years ago and still get good performance. I think it was 60 bucks or so. As long as what you get is 802.11 (wireless standard) you'll be fine, most if not all notebooks with built in wifi are 802.11 compliant

[yokes]

I think my neighborhood is already WiFi. Or at least that's what I was told. you don't need high speed (verison, etc) if using wifi, or do you?

Yes if you can get hooked into it no need for DSL/Cable etc. You would eed a subscription to whatever the wireless providor in the neighborhood is

[woodstock]

As long as what you get is 802.11 (wireless standard) you'll be fine, most if not all notebooks with built in wifi are 802.11 compliant

Um, okay... this part I'm totally clueless on, but if you say it's "standard" then that's what I'll keep an eye out for/ask about.

[yokes]

Um, okay... this part I'm totally clueless on, but if you say it's "standard" then that's what I'll keep an eye out for/ask about.

just ask if the wireless device you are buying is 802.11 Compliant and you'll be good

[woodstock]

Yes if you can get hooked into it no need for DSL/Cable etc. You would eed a subscription to whatever the wireless providor in the neighborhood is

Is there a charge for that too?

How would I find out if it is WiFi, or which provider?

[woodstock]

Which is better, WiFi or cable/DSL?

[yokes]

Is there a charge for that too?

How would I find out if it is WiFi, or which provider?

It depends. I know there are some free hotspots around the city. Usually what you will see when you connect into the network you will be sent to a subscription page prices greatly vary.

For example at starbucks and mcdonalds there is T-Mobile, The airport has their own system etc. I honestly dont know who would be covering S Buff.

Whatever notebook you get will "Auto Discover" available wireless networks.