Wireless home network
 

I'm getting another pc soon and I'd like to set up a wireless network. I know I need a wireless router, but does it matter if I install a wireless card or just plug in a wireless USB adapter?

I've always had better luck with a card, be it PCI or PC card, than USB.

I've honestly never seen a wireless 802.11 USB adapter. I've seen bluetooth adapters that were USB.

I'd honestly recommend going the card route, PCI for desktop, PCMCIA for laptop. I have 2 PCMCIA cards that work great and they were like $15 each.

On second thought, if it's a desktop, why not just put the router next to the computer and plug in via wired ethernet?

I just recently did this. I have a wireless router next to my PC upstairs. That PC is wired directly to the router. But we bought another PC for the kids downstairs. Theirs uses a USB wireless adaptor. I bought both the router and the USB adaptor from Newegg.com.

XTerasys 4 Port Wireless Router


XTerasys Wireless USB Adaptor

The adaptor's software was kind of a pain to set it up. It pops up everytime you start up the PC and you have to minimize it rather than clicking 'X' and closing it out. But they are working fine. ;)

These are just the ones I went with, mainly because they were inexpensive. But there are many products you could buy.

I would go the card route myself, but thats just because I know how badly those old usb network cards sucked.

Both computers are desktops. They will be completely seperate from one another. I have a standard router, but I don't wanna run 25 feet of ethernet cable...

Thanks. I'm doing the same thing. The old pc is going in my sons room. I like thoes prices...

That's exactly why I went the wireless route. I'm not even sure 25' would've even been long enough.

Psh..running cable is easy. Just run it along with a phone line in the same room, and get a jack that will allow both a RJ-11 and RJ-45.

I still wouldn't recommend going USB for core services like networking.

PCI offers considerably better performance without the instability that's often associated with USB.

And they're just as cheap:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...194-001&depa=0

I noticed that. Well, its good to know I have options...

Wow. That just sounds like WAY too much work...

I recommend Buffalo Technology for both the router and NIC's. You can find a better quality product on the conumer level.