Need Computer help..please!!!

[Pat329]

I'm trying to get into the 21st Century and decided to buy a Netbook. I think it would be nice to stay in touch with email and the web when on vacation. But I want to stay cheap just because I'm not a heavy user. There are a few I've seen for as low as $299 and they all seem to have the same specs. My question is about the web access. They list as having WLAN cards, WiFi certified, Wireless Lan and Wireless Mini cards to name a few. My question is are they all going to get me to the web as long as I'm in a WiFi area? And if the WiFi area could have a different name, let me know what that is too. I really appreciate any help and Disboards was the first place I thought to ask since some of the most intelligent people in the world belong to Disboards! Thanks in advance to all who respond.

 

[FireDancer]

I'm trying to get into the 21st Century and decided to buy a Netbook. I think it would be nice to stay in touch with email and the web when on vacation. But I want to stay cheap just because I'm not a heavy user. There are a few I've seen for as low as $299 and they all seem to have the same specs. My question is about the web access. They list as having WLAN cards, WiFi certified, Wireless Lan and Wireless Mini cards to name a few. My question is are they all going to get me to the web as long as I'm in a WiFi area? And if the WiFi area could have a different name, let me know what that is too. I really appreciate any help and Disboards was the first place I thought to ask since some of the most intelligent people in the world belong to Disboards! Thanks in advance to all who respond.

Wifi is any communication over the 802.11x protocol. It could be a, b, or g. If it has an 802.11n spec that is not a ratified specification yet, but it is common. WLAN is most likely WiFi but can be other protocols like Bluetooth. WiFi is a protocol while WLAN is an architecture.

There are also WWAN cards. These are cards that communicate through the cellular network. They could be UMTS, CDMA2000, GSM, HSDPA, WiMax, or LTE.

Ok, what does this mean in English? Basically that WiFi will work anywhere with a WiFi access point (often called a hotspot). If you have 802.11g you are pretty much set everywhere you will need it out in the real world.

WLAN is not interchangeable for WiFi in reality but in the consumer market it pretty much is. Anyone using Bluetooth as a WLAN protocol is asking for their information to get stolen anyway, so I wouldn't even turn it on.

WWAN cards are more and more common but are not mainstream. If you have, for example, a Verizon WWAN card (most likely using the UMTS protocol) will get you an Internet connection anywhere that has a Verizon data signal even if there is no WiFi hotspot. They do require buying the data service though while WiFi doesn't necessarily. A free WiFi hotspot is free and open.

If you are luck enough to be in a WiMax City it is worth a look.

I hope this isn't too confusing.

 

[Pat329]

Thanks, FireDancer, I knew someone would come to my rescue. This question has gotten a lot of hits since this afternoon but you're the only one with the answers! I'm glad you finally started speaking 'English' cause you were going way over my head. But you have helped me made up my mind. Thanks much!

 

[FireDancer]

Thanks, FireDancer, I knew someone would come to my rescue. This question has gotten a lot of hits since this afternoon but you're the only one with the answers! I'm glad you finally started speaking 'English' cause you were going way over my head. But you have helped me made up my mind. Thanks much!

You are welcome. If you have a specific model in mind I can look at it and tell you what it has. Either post or PM me a link. Are you thinking about getting a subsidized netbook through a company like Verizon or Sprint or buying it outright? The subsidized ones are kind of treated like phones where you get the product cheap and sign a contract.

I can't think of a netbook not having WiFi but unless it is subsidized I would wager it doesn't have the WWAN or "cellular modem" built in. That isn't a big deal though. If you want it later or are in a WiMax city you can always buy one that slides into the USB slot. The subsidized ones in my opinion are not worth it. It sounds cheap but you are tied into a contract.