| A PCMCIA wireless card gives your laptop the | | | | networks are secured or password protected, |
| ability to connect online without the need for any | | | | there's a chance you will be able to find an open |
| cabling. These are widely available and are | | | | one. Sure, your neighbor won't appreciate you |
| inexpensive. In addition, you don't need to rely on | | | | freeloading, but they don't have to know. |
| your own wireless router to connect to the | | | | On a sunny day, it's nice to be out rather than |
| Internet either. All you need is an available Wi-Fi | | | | cooped up inside. With your trusty PCMCIA |
| signal. | | | | wireless card you could go to the park and catch |
| Once you plug in your PCMCIA wireless card and | | | | up on news or do some social networking. The |
| install the software you can surf the Internet | | | | only downside is that you will only be able to use |
| wirelessly. This means you can venture from the | | | | your laptop until the battery dies. |
| confined of your home and still have access to | | | | PCMCIA Wireless Cards start from just $5 and |
| your favorites. Of course, you need to find a free | | | | upwards. Each adapter might offer different |
| wireless network first. But surprisingly this isn't as | | | | benefits such as range, speed, strength and |
| hard as you might think. | | | | security. Check out the specifications of each card |
| The amount of free wireless networks to the | | | | before you buy. |
| public is steadily increasing. Nowadays you can | | | | If you need a wireless network setup at home, |
| roam into town and find a Wi-Fi signal at many | | | | first you need to decide on the ISP. In many |
| spots including cafes and restaurants. Another | | | | cases, installation of the modem and wireless |
| advantage is that it's free. If you don't have a | | | | router is carried out by an engineer provided by |
| home network connection yet or can't afford to | | | | the ISP. Setting up a wireless connection at home |
| install one, a PCMCIA wireless card is the way to | | | | will provide all of your home computers with |
| go. | | | | Internet access as long as they have wireless |
| You could even try and piggyback off a network | | | | compatibility. |
| in your home. Although many private wireless | | | | |