Wireless PCMCIA card/Access point

[zimmie6576]

This isn't a technical question, just asking for a little advice. I currently have two computers, a desktop and a laptop. I have a cable modem, and a Linksys router so both can be using the cable modem at the same time independently of eachother. My college has several areas now that have wireless ethernet access, and I am thinking of purchasing a wireless PCMCIA card for my laptop. I'm not exactly sure which brand or model to get, and I saw this for sale on buy.com. As you may notice, it includes both the card and a wireless access point, for a pretty good deal in my opinion. I thought this would be useful to get because then I could connect the access point to my router, and then use my laptop with my network from outside my apartment (I do know about distance limitations). However, I've never heard of this company (though that doesn't mean much), and I was wondering if anyone knew if they were reputable/built good products. Also, if anyone has a better suggestion, let me know.

P.S. The wireless access point was NOT a priority, but it is a welcome bonus.

 

[sohcrates]

Well, that IS a pretty good deal considering what your getting.

You might want to check out practicallynetworked.com and see if they have a review of it.

I've heard of Hawking Tech before, just don't know how good their wireless stuff is.

As far as distance, i have a wireless router broadcasting from the 3rd floor of my townhouse and i can still get a signal down in the driveway outside...so you might be able to get a signal outside your apartment (though it might not be very strong).

 

[manly]

If you really wanted a kit of that nature, this is a better product.

Unfortunately, Gateway raised the price $15 in the last 2 months. However, they frequently have coupons (i.e. $30 off) to make the deal sweeter.

 

[JackMDS]

I think that the Hawking WAP has a fixed Internal Antenna. This reduces the flexibility of maneuvering the unit for best performance.

Conventional Wisdom claims that the kit mentioned above (The Orinoco) is the best.

Shop around you may be there is a better deal for the Orinoco

Here is a Wireless primer:

Wireless LAN consists on two main components.

1. Access Point (A/P).

Access Point is the Main Transmitter/Receiver that mediates between your LAN, and the Wireless computers, to the rest of the Network. It is connected to a regular RJ-45 port on LAN's Hub/Switch, or Router. It usually supports an excess of 100 clients.

2 . Wireless Client Card.

Wireless Client Card is the LAN card that you should install on each one your network computers, that you want to be Wireless.

Most Client cards are PCMCIA, which work very well with Laptops.
For Desktop, it is usually better to use USB Wireless Card. Most PCI Wireless Cards with fixed antenna (stuck behind the PC) yield inferior results versus the Flexible Antenna on a USB card.

Conventional Wisdom claims that the Orinoco Gold (About $90) is the best Wireless Client Card (has PCMCIA, and USB versions).

This link:
ORiNOCO PC Card - Gold.

Access Points Compared


If you don?t have Cable/DSL Router, you can buy a Wireless Cable/DSL Router, which is a Combo unit that includes Router to share the Internet, Switch for Wired Network and A/P for Wireless clients (plus more goodies).

The SMC Wireless Barricade is considered one of the favorites.

Wireless Routers Compared



When it comes to Wireless your mileage may varied, there are too many environmental variables that are unique to each individual setting.