The Wireless Network Adapter

When choosing a wireless network adapter, there are several things to consider. One is portability - will you be moving the adapter from computer to computer, for instance. Another is signal strength. If the antenna is going to be in the back of your computer, will you suffer from poor reception? And of course, the type of connection will play a strong factor in what kind of wireless g adapter you ultimately choose.

Portability is important if you plan on sharing a single adapter with more than one PC. If so, you'll need a device that's easy to connect and remove, without a tangle of wires or a large antenna to get in the way. A wireless usb adapter known as a "dongle" might be the best solution for such an approach. Many new computers have corresponding ports up front to accommodate wireless network adapters like this. And usb ports and hubs can be added if more connections are needed.

If you use a pc card adapter installed in an empty card slot in your computer, like the D-link network adapter pictured right, having the antenna located behind your computer, and possibly low to the ground may cause interference with your signal (depending on where your router is located).

A model with an antenna that can be located away from the back of the computer, such as the linksys wireless adapter shown here, can help if you think there may be a problem. Adapters like this often use an Ethernet connection, which most new computers come with. It looks similar to a phone jack, but slightly larger (the two are not interchangeable!). You simply connect an Ethernet cable between the unit and the computer, then you can place the device itself in a nearby location (such as on the desk or an adjacent shelf or file cabinet, etc.).

Many notebook computers now come with a wireless access point installed. But if you have a model without it, a wireless card can be plugged into the notebook's card slot. We'll show an example of one later, and what to look for if you need one.

Finally, making sure you have the right wifi adapter is more than just making the physical connection - you need to make sure it is compatible with your other networking equipment. As mentioned earlier, the 802.11g standard is preferred. We will review a few models and show how you can check to make sure it can talk to the router right out of the box, starting with the wireless usb adapter.