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Wireless
Networking - Choosing a wireless network card
When choosing
a wireless network card for a laptop computer
you have 3 options, ranging from the cheapest option (but with
the slowest speed and range) to the most expensive option (with
the fastest operating speed and the furthest coverage).
The
term wireless networking refers to technology that
enables two or more computers to communicate, but without network
cabling. This could be to communicate with each other, or share
one internet access point between multiple computers. The general
term used to describe this is wireless LANs. This technology
has produced a number of affordable wireless solutions that
are growing in popularity with schools and businesses as it
removes the need to install physical wiring to network the computers.
The three options
you have when choosing a wireless network card are:
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Cheapest
Wireless Network cards
The
cheapest form of wireless network card is known as 802.11b
and runs at 11 Mbps (megabits per second)
This runs slower and with less coverage that other specifications
of wireless networking, but is generally cheaper.
We
would not recommend this card as it is by far the oldest
technology with the slowest operating speed and the smallest
wireless range, but if you do want to go for this type
of card try the Netgear MA521 802.11B 11Mbps wireless
notebook card
(Netgear Part Number - MA521)
Cost
- Approx. £20
Purchase
online
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Mid-Range
Wireless Network Cards
The
mid-range option for wireless networking is 802.11g which
runs at 54 Mbps
This
runs much faster that the 802.11b network card detailed
above, with a further operating distance too. Also, it
does not cost much more that the 802.11b option
We
would recommend the Belkin 54g wireless notebook adaptor
(Belkin Part Number - F5D7010uk)
Cost
- Approx. £25
Purchase
online
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High-Spec
Wireless Network Cards
The
highest specification of wireless networking available
today runs at 108 Mbps and has far greater range than
802.11b and 802.11g
We
would recommend the Belkin PRE-N Mimo wireless notebook
adaptor
(Belkin part number - F5D8010uk)
Cost
- Approx. £60 to £70
Purchase
online
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