Very basic wireless question (I think)?

[Smudge]

Hello:
I have a desktop and laptop. I have very little knowledge of WiFi technology. The desktop is brand new and the Dell Laptop (Inspirion 8200) is about four years old. I would like to be able to surf the net anywhere in the house with the laptop. So I know that I need a router to accomplish this. My question, however, is what (if anything) do I need to buy for my laptop? The shipping receipt for the laptop indicates that it has a "Integrated Network Card." Does this mean that I do not have to purchase a laptop wireless adapter to communicate with the router attached to the desktop? If I do not have to purchase an adapter for the laptop then I imagine that I would have to load software onto the laptop so that it communicates with the router???

Thanks!!

 

[SirKenin]

You have to get a wireless PCMCIA card for that particular model. Then pick up something like a Linksys WRT54G.

 

[tech_dude]

Another way instead of buy a wireless PCMCIA card is to buy a USB wireless dongle, which are available at most computer stores

Regards

 

[SirKenin]

USB dongles are crap though. Not recommended at all.

 

[Trizoy]

Another way instead of buy a wireless PCMCIA card is to buy a USB wireless dongle, which are available at most computer stores

Regards

i also agree that any USB device used for networking with have connectivity issues...