20-06-2005 08:40									#1
	Wireless networking Remove this text

I will probably be moving into a place with a wireless internet connection soon. I have a 20 month old Dell desktop computer with a Pentium 4 running at 2.4 Ghz with 512 MB RAM

I want a reasonably priced wireless networking adapter for my computer. I don't mind it running at half the speed of my current setup (cable modem through wired Linksys router). I download music occasionally, but don't play any heavy bandwidth online computer games. Most important is that it not drop connections, as I do play online poker regularly and can't afford to have it crap out on me. If it does crap out on me once in a blue moon I want the problem to be easily fixable in literally 1 minute so as not to drop too many hands.

What should I buy? There seem to be two options available: USB adapters and internal cards. Are internal cards significantly better than the USB adapters? If there's no difference in price or quality then I'd rather go with the external solution to avoid having to open my case up and mess around with the guts of my computer.

	20-06-2005 08:42									#2
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50-70$ is a reasonable price point for me. Obviously if something is available that fits the bill and is rock-solid for 30$ then that's great.

	20-06-2005 09:12									#3
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I think you can find PCI adapter cards pretty cheap... it should at least be cheaper than a USB adapter.

	20-06-2005 09:13									#4
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A quick look turned this up for 59... you could probably find them alot cheaper too.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...d=1060606072735

	20-06-2005 09:14									#5
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$49:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...d=1061127609610

	20-06-2005 09:16									#6
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Make sure you get the fast version 802.11g I think it is.

	20-06-2005 09:33									#7
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quote: Originally posted by JimmyCracksCorn I think you can find PCI adapter cards pretty cheap... it should at least be cheaper than a USB adapter.

The PCI cards are dirt cheap and that's what I use on my old HP laptop. If/when I buy another laptop I'll just buy one with wi fi built in.

	20-06-2005 15:56									#8
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You have a laptop with a PCI card in it?

	20-06-2005 15:59									#9
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Oppsies I typed the wrong standard. Duh, my bad.

	20-06-2005 16:10									#10
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Get an external one. I've found it useful to just be able to yank the thing.

	20-06-2005 19:58									#11
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A USB one is probably better, since your case is nicely metallic.

	20-06-2005 21:10									#12
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quote: Originally posted by Kuciwalker Get an external one. I've found it useful to just be able to yank the thing.

For what purpose?

	20-06-2005 21:11									#13
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quote: Originally posted by Urban Ranger A USB one is probably better, since your case is nicely metallic.

Yeah, but PCI is fool proof once you get it installed. Plus you can save those precious USB ports for other things.

	20-06-2005 21:53									#14
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precious? I've got 2 on the front and 4 on the back. I've never plugged anything into the back yet.

	20-06-2005 22:45									#15
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quote: Originally posted by Agathon Make sure you get the fast version 802.11g I think it is.

Everyone typically says get the g version. While it is appropriate to keep up with technology there is really no substantial improvement to internet page download speeds as the bottleneck typically is pipeline into the house. Fiberoptic DSL or cable modem broadbands typically top out at about 5 Mbps. 802.11 g is supposed to be able to handle 54 Mbps while 802.11 b handles 11 Mbps both of which easily exceed the incoming transmission rate of the broadband connection.

That being said the difference in cost between 802.11b vs. 802.11 g is miniscule and for the extra few bucks might as well get the 802.11g even if you don't need it for internet purposes as file transfer, inhouse streaming etc. is much nicer/smoother at the higher rates.

	21-06-2005 02:16									#16
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quote: Originally posted by JimmyCracksCorn For what purpose?

When it the network screws up. The fastest way, IME, of getting to work again is to yank it and then plug it back in.

	21-06-2005 07:04									#17
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quote: Originally posted by Ogie Oglethorpe Everyone typically says get the g version. While it is appropriate to keep up with technology there is really no substantial improvement to internet page download speeds as the bottleneck typically is pipeline into the house.

You get better security though.

	21-06-2005 07:05									#18
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Security is a minor, though not nonexistent, issue for me.

	21-06-2005 07:07									#19
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either way, I'll get the g one

BTW, UR, the metallic case shouldn't present a problem. Most wireless cards have an external antenna that protrudes from the case, no?

Any suggestions as to brands? I know linksys is the lowest common denominator of all routers. Should I go with something slightly higher up? If so, what?

	21-06-2005 07:08									#20
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it was for us also

then our neighbors started using all our bandwidth...

JM

	21-06-2005 07:09									#21
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I plan to ensheath our house in aluminum foil to avoid that.

	21-06-2005 07:11									#22
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limiting mac addresses worked for us

JM

	21-06-2005 07:12									#23
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quote: Originally posted by KrazyHorse Any suggestions as to brands? I know linksys is the lowest common denominator of all routers. Should I go with something slightly higher up? If so, what?

You don't need a router, only a wireless card for your desktop.

	21-06-2005 07:13									#24
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quote: Originally posted by Jon Miller limiting mac addresses worked for us JM

That works if he has access to the access point.

	21-06-2005 07:13									#25
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quote: Originally posted by Urban Ranger You don't need a router, only a wireless card for your desktop.

Sorry. Misspoke. Meant that they're the lowest common denominator of networking in general.

	21-06-2005 07:27									#26
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We use Lucent Technologies (now Proxim) client products and never have a problem. I see Belkin a lot these days but not sure how good they are.

	21-06-2005 07:38									#27
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If I get a "g" card and they're running "b" does that mean that I'll have trouble? Or is there compatibility between the two?

	21-06-2005 08:09									#28
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They're compatible.

More specifically, 802.11g is backwards compatible with 802.11b.

	21-06-2005 08:28									#29
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Get g -- if not for the higher bandwidth, but for the better effective range, less packetloss, and lower latencies -- and better security.

"g" adapters/routers work with "b" adapters/routers.

	21-06-2005 09:19									#30
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sweet. Thanks.