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How Do I Make a Laptop Wireless?

Wireless connections to the Internet are the norm for today's technology savvy individual and can be accomplished in many forms. While home desktop PCs are confined to a particular location on a wireless network, laptops have the distinctive advantage of being portable which raises the question of how to make the laptop wireless. Adding wireless capabilities to a laptop is a fairly easy and simple process and offers many solutions to the end user. The simplest way to make a laptop wireless for use on a wireless network is through the use of an internal card or a USB modem.

If the laptop is not already equipped with an internal card installing one is a simple process and is documented by the manufacturer on their help pages. Typically the entire laptop will need to be taken apart including the screen, keyboard and casing assemblies. While this is a simple task it does take some time and will require the use of manuals and precision tools for extracting the screws holding the laptop together. Be sure to have a clean work area and keep track of all the screws and their respective locations in the disassembly process. Consider using small containers and label the screws according to their placement.

For those who wish to have a quick solution to a wireless laptop working on a home or business network, a USB wireless access card is the simplest solution. Simply choose the USB card that will work with the router in the wireless network, any USB card will do, connect it to the laptop and proceed to access the wireless network. Be sure to have the WPA or WEP pass codes for accessing a secure wireless network. After completing the set up process the laptop will be able to access the wireless network anywhere in the transmission area of the router or access point.

While these two solutions pertain to an existing wireless network in a building, a laptop may be connected wirelessly directly to the Internet without the use of a router or access point. Companies like MobilityPass offer wireless broadband Internet access from anywhere. The services are delivered via towers, much like cellular towers, and accessed through the use of a USB modem, not a USB wireless card. The USB modem must be present in order to access the Internet in this manner. The USB modem is included in the packages from MobilityPass, which allows access to the Internet wirelessly from over 75 different countries. With no monthly contract and nine years of wireless Internet experience MobilityPass provides unparalleled service over 3G networks for data transmission.

Each USB modem may be used in multiple devices, so a user could use the USB modem on a laptop or a desktop PC with no problem; then switch back when mobility is needed. This is by far the simplest solution to wireless access for laptops anywhere, as the end user does not need any additional equipment or technical knowledge. All they have to do is plug and play.