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What is the benefit to buying a desktop with an internal Wireless card?
I recently bought a Desktop from Dell and they had the option to get an Internal PCI 802.11g Wireless Network Card. So I did. Can someone tell me how it works? Do I need a separate wireless Router to broadcast a signal if one of my daughters comes over with their laptops or is that what the internal card does? (provides a signal) I am not really sure if I will ever need to use it for any other reason unless someone can tell me other reasons to have it. I have Broadband and the modem is plugged into my computer with the ethernet cord. Thanks.
The internal card allows the computer to connect to a wireless signal (the same way the laptops do). You need a router to transmit that signal. The broadband connection plugs into the router. An internal card is handy if you want to have the computer away from the router but, otherwise, a wired connection to the router would be faster.
You can have both if you want. With a card, you can connect by wire or wirelessly at your option. I use a wired/wireless router (Linksys WRT54G). It's right next to the desktop computer so that's a wired connection. We use the laptops throughout the house by wireless connections.
My system is actually a bit more complicated. The router has 4 plugs so I have 2 desktops and a networked copier/printer/scanner plugged into 3 of them. On the 4th plug I have a 4 port switch that has a backup desktop plus 3 cables to hook up other devices (like the laptops) when I want to make fast data transfers. I use the wireless conection for 2 laptops plus my Treo Smartphone (with a wireless adapter).
The Lynksys is cheap, easy and bulletproof but it's getting a bit long in the tooth these days. If you are buying new look for a router that handles the new "n" standard.
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