Wireless PC card suggestions wanted.

[briancas]

I was hoping I could get some experienced advise on which wireless PC card to pick up.

I'm going to be setting up a home wireless network, but my main concern is using my laptop away from my home. I'm going to be spending some quality time in airports and hotels in the coming year, and I'm hoping to pick up a card that will let me use public networks for internet access. I've been told that my main concern should be an external antenna.

Also, for you that are on the road alot, where could I expect to find networks that I could log onto for internet access?? Is it a hassle to log into these networks, and do I run the risk of logging into a network I don't belong on??

I appreciate any help that I get.

 

[Soybomb]

Get an orinoco (aka lucent/avaya) gold card. As far as logging on to other networks, unless you've been given permission to access it, its questionable, and considered by many to probably be illegal. That said if someone doesn't know how to secure it, they probably won't notice you're using it or be able to track you down if you do.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

Yea, I'd say go with the Ornico card unless you want to spend less, the Linksys cards are nice to, the only real difference is the Ornico cards have a little better range, and more security options.

 

[briancas]

Thanks.

Does the Orinoco card have better range over something with an antenna? Or is there an antenna for Orinoco cards, something that clips or screws on not some big arial thing.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

[ktwebb]

Except for a very small number of cards that ship without, all PC Wi-Fi cards have antennas. Many are integrated. Some are not. The Orinoco has a proprietary Orinoco connector, similar to a MMCX connector that makes it very easy to attach and detach antenna pigtails, assuming they have the right connector on them. For the money, the Orinocos cannot be beat, and they are very close to or directly in-line financially with most SOHO client cards.

 

[JackMDS]

Every transmission device has better range with ?big? external Antenna.

However, given the convenience of the PCMCIA an external Antenna is very comfortable for a little gain.

The Orinoco seems to be the best of the card with integrated Antenna,


BTW, soybomb you are behind the time, it is now aka lucent/avaya/Proxim

 

[lobadobadingdong]

jack, he may be like me I use the K.I.S.S. method I still call it a lucent product.
K.I.S.S. = Keep It Simple Stupid....the words I live by, that and praise the Lord not necissarily in that order.

 

[blstriker]

the orinoco cards have the best reception of all the cards i've used (netgear, compaq, dlink).

 

[briancas]

Alright, then. I guess its unanimous. Any tips on where to pick one up new, not used?? I found a gold card for $69 here. Is that pretty fair??

 

[ktwebb]

three resellers for less than 60 bucks shipped at pricewatch. two of them for 53 bucks.