| When I first heard about laptops with built-in wi-fi, | | | | able to connect to the wi-fi available at that |
| I was perplexed, but intrigued. I did not know | | | | location, and, shockingly, I learned that I did not |
| much about wireless technology; and I am still not | | | | need a router for wi-fi connectivity and web |
| an expert. I wanted to hold off on buy a laptop | | | | access. |
| until I felt I had at least a basic understanding of | | | | If you simply want to access the world-wide-web |
| what everyone was raving about. | | | | on your laptop while you are on the go, on the |
| I did research, read up on the subject matter, | | | | road, you do not need a router. You only need a |
| and listened to media experts. What I learned was | | | | router under certain circumstances, as mentioned |
| that most laptops, if not all, come with built-in wi-fi | | | | above. |
| capability. All you would need were a few | | | | I was surprised and somewhat taken aback, but |
| 'hook-up' devices to make it work. (This turned | | | | relieved at the probability of being able to get my |
| out to be both true and untrue). | | | | money back for the router device that I did not |
| It turns out that you would need some of these | | | | need, at least for the time being. I also concluded |
| devices for certain additional functions or | | | | that I had either not done enough research, or |
| expanded capabilities, but not for basic web | | | | that nothing that I read or heard had really |
| access. | | | | addressed my basic question, or given me the |
| One such true/untrue-ism is that you need a | | | | answer to the simple question of "Do I need a |
| router. This is true if you have broadband or DSL | | | | router?" |
| wireless service through the telephone or cable | | | | I declared then, that I would write about it. If I |
| company at your home, and want to be able to | | | | had trouble trying to glean just the bit of |
| use your laptop in any room of your house. You | | | | information, and "yes" or "no" answers that I |
| would need a router to pick up the signal in | | | | needed from the forest of information about |
| various locations of your home. But it is untrue if | | | | wireless laptop web connectivity, others might |
| you do not have wireless computer service at | | | | have the same questions. |
| home, yet you want to use your laptop when | | | | There are, however, two very basic accessories |
| you go out, and are at public locations that | | | | that you might wish to have to go with your new |
| provide free wi-fi connection. In this case, you do | | | | laptop. A computer mouse, and a mouse pad. |
| not need a router. | | | | Trying to scroll around the screen and various |
| I had to learn this with some difficulty. It turned | | | | pages with the scroll bar on the laptop, quickly |
| out not to be so bad, because I discovered the | | | | tired me out. It is not very ergonomically |
| misunderstanding quickly, and was able to return | | | | comfortable for the hand. |
| the router to the place of purchase within the | | | | When purchasing the mouse for your new laptop, |
| same week that I bought it. It went something | | | | get the mouse with a flat (not rounded) cable |
| like this... | | | | connection. Plug the mouse into one of the USB |
| I purchased my new laptop. The question then | | | | ports on the right side of your laptop. Don't |
| was what else did I need when I went to a free | | | | forget to purchase the mouse pad to make using |
| wi-fi location to get internet connection? From | | | | your mouse easy. |
| reading and listening to experts, I thought I had | | | | When you get to the free wi-fi location, after |
| gleaned the answer to that one basic question, | | | | turning your computer on and you are at the |
| but the fact is that I had not gleaned it, or had | | | | desktop screen, go to the toolbar at the bottom |
| misunderstood enough to believe that I needed a | | | | of your screen, in the right-side corner, click on |
| router. | | | | the icon that looks like a stairway. If you cannot |
| When I went to purchase the router, with help | | | | identify this icon by looking at it, put your mouse |
| from the in-store personnel, I found out what a | | | | over each icon until you see the one that says, |
| router looked-like, and which router would work | | | | "internet access" or "connectivity". Choose the |
| with my laptop. I bought it for what seemed a | | | | option that is most relevant to where you are |
| reasonable enough price. | | | | located, or ask the personnel in that location, what |
| In less than a week, I went to a free wi-fi | | | | is the name of their wi-fi service provider. |
| location, and with a few questions and help from | | | | Voila! You are now connected to the internet. No |
| a laptop user that happened to be there, I was | | | | router needed! |