View Full Version : Wireless internet adapter
I think I've posted something like this before, so I'll go ahead and call my own repost.
Anyway, I'm moving next week to an apartment complex that offers free high speed wireless internet. I found an adapter at Wal-Mart for $48. Is that a good deal?
DaFace
11-24-2006, 11:34 AM
Not bad, though you can usually find them cheaper when they're on sale at office supply/electronics stores.
Here are some wireless PCI cards that start at $10.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Recs=10&Nav=|c:368|&Sort=4
Here are some USB wireless adapters starting at $5.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Recs=10&Nav=|c:369|&Sort=4
I guess we should be asking a few questions to determine if you're getting a good deal. Like what brand is the one you found at Walmart? How fast is it? What kind of wireless adapter are you looking for?
I guess we should be asking a few questions to determine if you're getting a good deal. Like what brand is the one you found at Walmart? How fast is it? What kind of wireless adapter are you looking for?
To sum it up, I have no idea. I just know that it's wireless internet, so I need an antenna thing. I didn't find the one at Wal-Mart, actually. A freind was there and called me. I don't know what brand it was. If the card you're talking about goes inside the computer, then that's not what I'm looking for. I'd rather have one that plugs in.
Ok, then I assume you mean one that plugs into a USB port.
QuikSsurfer
11-24-2006, 10:07 PM
http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WUSB11-Wireless-B-Network-Adapter/dp/B00005AW1H/sr=8-2/qid=1164431165/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-3077594-3902441?ie=UTF8&s=electronics
Ok, then I assume you mean one that plugs into a USB port.
Yes.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Recs=10&Nav=|c:369|&Sort=4
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=168277&CatId=0
Here's one made by Dlink ( quality products for the most part). It's $25 plus it has a $15 rebate.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=168277&CatId=0
Here's one made by Dlink ( quality products for the most part). It's $25 plus it has a $15 rebate.
Is that an adapter or a router? It looks like a router to me. I only need it for one computer tower.
It's an adapter. I assume your apartment complex has routers and all you need is an adapter.
It's an adapter. I assume your apartment complex has routers and all you need is an adapter.
Yep. Thanks for the help.
Okay, I'm so lost. I went to a few stores. All I could find was one for $49.99, and it was this one....
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1030262&Sku=L48-2256
I was looking for one that plugs into a USB port. Something that looks more like this...
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2583143&Sku=G300-2012
I looked at Wal-Mart and Best Buy. Would they have something like that at an office supply store? Maybe I should wait until I go in and sign my lease tomorrow to see if they recommend any particular one.
Stewie
11-28-2006, 08:16 PM
If you do ebay, this is a good deal.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Linksys-Wireless-2-4ghz-802-11b-USB-Network-Adapter_W0QQitemZ250052403427QQihZ015QQcategoryZ45002QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
If you do ebay, this is a good deal.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Linksys-Wireless-2-4ghz-802-11b-USB-Network-Adapter_W0QQitemZ250052403427QQihZ015QQcategoryZ45002QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
That's the other thing I keep finding. It looks like something that you would plug something into, not something that you plug in.
Stewie
11-28-2006, 08:34 PM
That's the other thing I keep finding. It looks like something that you would plug something into, not something that you plug in.
The USB cable has to plug into your computer and the wireless adapter. That's why it looks like something plugs into the wireless, because it does. (It has to communicate with your computer some how.) The wireless units come with the cable that attaches the unit to your computer.
The USB cable has to plug into your computer and the wireless adapter. That's why it looks like something plugs into the wireless, because it does. (It has to communicate with your computer some how.) The wireless units come with the cable that attaches the unit to your computer.
Okay, that's good. I have a new computer desk that has one of those cubby holes to put your tower in. I can run the cable up the back to that. Cool.
luv
-feeling better
luv,
I guess I didn't realize what you were thinking about adapters. Some wireless adapters use a cable between the PC and the wireless adapter while some plug directly into the PC (like the Gigafast one you posted from Tiger Direct). It doesn't matter which you choose as they both do the same thing.
One difference, though, is the speed in which they communicate with the router. For instance, the one that Stewie posted on the ebay link is 802.11b. The "b" means that the device communicates at up to 11Mbps (megabytes per second). The Gigafast wireless adapter (in the link you posted) is 802.11g. The "g" means that the device communicates at up to 54Mbps. In other words, the Gigafast is 5 times faster than the Linksys. Something you may want to consider.
BTW, here is a link on Tiger Direct's website that may help you get a better grasp on wireless networking.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/static/html/wireless-Info-New2.html
luv,
I guess I didn't realize what you were thinking about adapters. Some wireless adapters use a cable between the PC and the wireless adapter while some plug directly into the PC (like the Gigafast one you posted from Tiger Direct). It doesn't matter which you choose as they both do the same thing.
One difference, though, is the speed in which they communicate with the router. For instance, the one that Stewie posted on the ebay link is 802.11b. The "b" means that the device communicates at up to 11Mbps (megabytes per second). The Gigafast wireless adapter (in the link you posted) is 802.11g. The "g" means that the device communicates at up to 54Mbps. In other words, the Gigafast is 5 times faster than the Linksys. Something you may want to consider.
I waited until I signed my lease to see what the specifications were. I had to have something that was compatible with 802.11b. I ended up getting the Linksy's Wireless-G USB Network Adapter.
So, you bought the one on Ebay? The thing about 802.11g is that they're backward compatible. That means that the will work with a 802.11b router as well as a 802.11g router. While a 802.11b adapter like you got will only work with a 802.11b router.
So, you bought the one on Ebay? The thing about 802.11g is that they're backward compatible. That means that the will work with a 802.11b router as well as a 802.11g router. While a 802.11b adapter like you got will only work with a 802.11b router.
No, I got this at Wal-Mart. It's an 802.11g, but it's compatible with the 802.11b. It's 2.4GHz.
No, I got this at Wal-Mart. It's an 802.11g, but it's compatible with the 802.11b. It's 2.4GHz.
That's good then. That way, when they upgrade or if you move, you won't have to upgrade your wireless adapter.
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