Which wireless router/card to choose for my laptop...

[arthurbach4]

I am looking to buy a wireless router and wirelss card for my laptop. I was wondering if there are any pros or cons in regards to the type of wireless device you connect to the actual laptop.

Ie. is a usb device better or worse than a pci connected card?

Are there any other considerations? (perhaps router companies to avoid/look for etc)

Thanks for your time.

[Ethel]

A usb dongle is fine but can easily be knocked, come loose and generally get in the way - and uses up a usb port.

If your laptop has the pci slot that is by far the better option.

I use Linksys router and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, but others will have different opinions. Routers are very much a love/hate thing.

Don't forget your ISP will determine which sort of router you buy - if yoiu are on Virgin cable you must make sure you get the right router.

[LeMarchand]

I agree that, if possible, you're best off not using a USB slot (though a USB dongle is a bit more "universal"). Check your laptop's specs though - if it's fairly new it may well already have a wireless receiver built-in.

[dodgyshirt]

Netgear is undoubtedly the best.

Avoid Belkin especially the PCMCIA card. The hardware is not too bad but the software is terrible. Slowed my laptop down to a crawl as evidenced in Windows Task Manager/Processes.

Now use a Netgear WG111T USB adaptor which has a constant throughput of 54Mbps anywhere in the house.

The only drawback as pointed out by Ethel is that is a little vulnerable to the clumsier element amongst us.