First time laptop user

[donnie!]

I am looking into buying a laptop for the first time. I currently have a desktop with DSL from Earthlink, but want to also to have my laptop work at home with internet when I get it. What companies can I get this wifi from? How exactly does wifi work with a laptop?

I know I sound stupid but I have not worked with laptops before, only desktops.

 

[ScottALot]

Well, you can get a wifi-card and slide it into the laptop. Like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833315047

For a Wi-Fi router, I'd go with http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190

 

[LA1]

you can also get "anywhere wireless" from verizon. I think it costs about $50 a month, you get a pcmcia card or usb. Some new notebooks no longer have pcmcia card slots. With the anywhere card you can go for a drive across the usa and get wireless. ThE card mentioned by the other poster is for wireless just at your home. You will need a wireless router or a brodband modem w/ wireless... or connect to someone in your neighborhood that has unsecure wirless ( not recommended). I like FIOS, VERIZON WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH A NICE ROUTER W/ WIRELESS.

 

[EGamerHDK]

I am looking into buying a laptop for the first time. I currently have a desktop with DSL from Earthlink, but want to also to have my laptop work at home with internet when I get it. What companies can I get this wifi from? How exactly does wifi work with a laptop?

I know I sound stupid but I have not worked with laptops before, only desktops.

First, you need to have your DSL connection turned into Wi-Fi. You can buy a wireless router and basically it'll take the ethernet (internet) wire from your DSL box and it'll split it into usually 4 other ports and/or wireless connection.

Basically, you take the wire from your DSL box... you plug it into another box (wireless router) and it "splits" your connection. Now, you can plug up to 4 computers through 4 separate wires from your Router and you can also set up a wireless network because thats the main purpose of a wireless router.

Next, when you have "wireless internet" you need to buy a laptop. Most neewer laptops come with a "network card" which enables you to connect to a network (hence the network you created at home). Like I said, most newer laptops have this, and if you don't... you will basically have to buy an adapter for your laptop that basically acts as an antenna so you can connect to your network.