|
Wireless Internet Cards
|
|
|
|
Most laptops nowadays come with Internet wireless connectivity right out of the box. And so do many desktop computers. But this was not always the case. Once upon a time, you had to select an add-in wireless card in order to get on the Internet without a Cat-5 Ethernet umbilical cord. Many of those machines are still around, and the Computer Buzz labs have been experimenting with them.
Wireless cards vary greatly in their ease of use and compatibility factors. Our unanimous choice for PCMCIA cards (for laptops of all descriptions) is the ubiquitous Cisco 350 series. It is arguably the most popular wireless card of all time and justifiably so. It supports the 802.11b wireless protocol, which means it can transmit a max of 11Mbps, not the fastest thing going, but perfectly adequate for most purposes.
The 350 "just works" right out of the box. Macs and PCs are, of course, a given. But we have tested the 350 series with a dozen different implementations of Linux, and the cards have worked flawlessly without even requiring us to install driver software. It doesn't get much slicker than that.
Other wireless cards we have tested (Broadcom comes to mind) have flatly refused to work without additional drivers and/or firmware upgrades. Oftentimes the computer just refuses to see the card after it has been installed.
The Cisco 350 also comes in a PCI configuration for desktops, and it is just as easy to install and get up and running as the PCMCIA model. It fits in an internal slot and has a little antenna that sticks out the back of the box. Again, it's (usually) plug-and-play simplicity at its best.
Both kinds of 350 cards are widely available on eBay at bargain prices, i.e., about US $50 or so. Computer Buzz rates the Cisco 350 wireless card as a "Best Buy."
Official Website: www.Cisco350.com
Adjacent image shows Cisco 350 PCMCIA card for laptop computer.
|
|
|
|
