Wireless network adapter question

WoodysGirl · Jan 10, 2009

Ok so I was looking up wireless network adapter for a desktop computer. Found one. Says that you can hook it up to a laptop and be mobile.

My question is related the to the laptop thing. For some reason, the description implies that you can use the adapter to connect to the internet using your wireless access similar to an air card. Is that accurate or am I confusing the description.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3756936

CowboyPrincess · Jan 10, 2009

WoodysGirl;2566790 said:
Ok so I was looking up wireless network adapter for a desktop computer. Found one. Says that you can hook it up to a laptop and be mobile.

My question is related the to the laptop thing. For some reason, the description implies that you can use the adapter to connect to the internet using your wireless access similar to an air card. Is that accurate or am I confusing the description.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3756936

As I understand the description, they are just saying that you can be mobile with your laptop and still have a way to access the internet without having to locate a wired access point to plug into

At least that is how I'm reading it

WoodysGirl · Jan 10, 2009

CowboyPrincess;2567115 said:
As I understand the description, they are just saying that you can be mobile with your laptop and still have a way to access the internet without having to locate a wired access point to plug into

At least that is how I'm reading it

Yeah I figured that's what they meant, but their description is awful. Sometimes you gotta be clear about things. I'm a tech writer and was confused. Imagine a less technical person trying to figure it out.

The adapter is actually for my sister's desktop, but I thought if it's something I can use for my laptop, I might as well get two.

Oh well.

CowboyPrincess · Jan 10, 2009

WoodysGirl;2567165 said:
Yeah I figured that's what they meant, but their description is awful. Sometimes you gotta be clear about things. I'm a tech writer and was confused. Imagine a less technical person trying to figure it out.

The adapter is actually for my sister's desktop, but I thought if it's something I can use for my laptop, I might as well get two.

Oh well.

They definitely aren't using anyone with tech experience for their product descriptions. I had to read it a couple times cuz of the wording. I was on the hardware end of the tech industry and the only reason I figured it out was cuz I'm familiar with that item from personal use

Yeagermeister · Jan 10, 2009

It means you can use it like any other wireless card. Belkin is not a real good brand btw. You'd be better off with a netgear or linksys.

CowboyPrincess · Jan 10, 2009

Yeagermeister;2567217 said:
It means you can use it like any other wireless card. Belkin is not a real good brand btw. You'd be better off with a netgear or linksys.

Belkin use to be a good product but that was years ago. I use a Linksys N for my son's computer and have never had a bit of trouble with it. It picks up access points all over the place and not from just across the street. Which has been helpful when my network has been down for repair and he's needed access to get homework done...

WoodysGirl · Jan 10, 2009

Yeagermeister;2567217 said:
It means you can use it like any other wireless card. Belkin is not a real good brand btw. You'd be better off with a netgear or linksys.

That was my initial interpretation, but the wording threw me off.

Oh, I wasn't actually gonna buy THAT specific adapter. It was just the link of the one I was looking at at the time.

There's not a lot of them on the market. So, it's pretty easy for researching purposes.

My dad has an AT&T wireless gateway, but the 'puter I bought for my sister doesn't have a wireless network card. I figured this would be a good workaround than running a long network cable throught the house.

Yeagermeister · Jan 10, 2009

CowboyPrincess;2567258 said:
Belkin use to be a good product but that was years ago. I use a Linksys N for my son's computer and have never had a bit of trouble with it. It picks up access points all over the place and not from just across the street. Which has been helpful when my network has been down for repair and he's needed access to get homework done...

Belkin makes some very good products but not network cards.

Yeagermeister · Jan 10, 2009

WoodysGirl;2567260 said:
That was my initial interpretation, but the wording threw me off.

Oh, I wasn't actually gonna buy THAT specific adapter. It was just the link of the one I was looking at at the time.

There's not a lot of them on the market. So, it's pretty easy for researching purposes.

My dad has an AT&T wireless gateway, but the 'puter I bought for my sister doesn't have a wireless network card. I figured this would be a good workaround than running a long network cable throught the house.

An ATT card is much different than a wireless card. The ATT card can connect anywhere ATT has coverage with the wireless card you have to be near a wireless network.

WoodysGirl · Jan 10, 2009

Yeagermeister;2567276 said:
An ATT card is much different than a wireless card. The ATT card can connect anywhere ATT has coverage with the wireless card you have to be near a wireless network.

Oh I know that. I've connected to the Internet thru ATT at Starbucks. Loves it.

But let me clarify the situation. My dad has AT&T DSL that comes with a wireless gateway. The Internet connection is through his computer.

She has a desktop computer in her room with nothing to connect to the Internet. No network cable to the router (gateway) nor a wireless network card in the 'puter. My dad's too lazy to get it for her. Anywho, this USB adapter would be simply for her to put in her desktop 'puter so she can get it online and not park in my Dad's room to get online.

My confusion in the OP was simply to see if it was something I could use for my laptop.

Yeagermeister · Jan 10, 2009

WoodysGirl;2567303 said:
Oh I know that. I've connected to the Internet thru ATT at Starbucks. Loves it.

But let me clarify the situation. My dad has AT&T DSL that comes with a wireless gateway. The Internet connection is through his computer.

She has a desktop computer in her room with nothing to connect to the Internet. No network cable to the router (gateway) nor a wireless network card in the 'puter. My dad's too lazy to get it for her. Anywho, this USB adapter would be simply for her to put in her desktop 'puter so she can get it online and not park in my Dad's room to get online.

My confusion in the OP was simply to see if it was something I could use for my laptop.

Gotcha

Meat-O-Rama · Jan 11, 2009

To answer the original question: yes you could use something like this on either a desktop or a laptop provided each has a compatible USB port open.

Forget Walmart for stuff like this, I'd recommend: http://www.newegg.com

Feel free to PM if you have questions.

Wireless network adapter question

WoodysGirl

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Yeagermeister

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Yeagermeister

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WoodysGirl

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