Want to Make My Laptop Wireless at School

My school has wireless internet on campus. Unfortunately, my laptop (Sony FS500) did not come with an installed wireless card. What card should I buy that will allow me to simply install the card, go on campus, and have it work with no problems?

 

Hmmm, it should be included though. Is the FS500 a 15.4" 1.6ghz Centrino?

If its not, and is an older model, I guess either a wireless USB dongle or a wireless PCMCIA card would work

 

Yes, it is the 15.4" Pentium M 1.6Ghz.

How would I know if there is a wireless card is installed? I'm pretty sure there is not, however.

 

If you bought it retail brand new, I'm 100% sure the wireless card is there. You may just need to install the drivers though, that could be why its not working

 

There is no icon on the toolbar.

I won the laptop in November. Should I contact Sony with the model number and such and see if it does have one?

 

Yeah go ahead and contact that them. Im trying to think the same thing since its a Centrino

 

The label on the bottom of the my laptop says it was manufactured on 03/05, if that helps.

 

I got a response back from Sony. I do not have intergrated wireless capability. It was an option that could have been configured, but since I won the laptop I had no say in that.

Now I am in need of a wireless card. What card should I buy that will allow me to simply install the card, go on campus, and have it work with no problems?

 

if you have an available minipci slot, you can add an internal card. not sure about the antenna though. the advantage is that you don't have to carry something with you.

you can also get any USB or PC Card style wifi card. as long as it connects to b/g networks, you'll be fine.

you can get them at best buy, fry's, etc., you can save a few bucks buying online via newegg.com or similar.

 

I was thinking about getting this - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833130115

This should work with no problems, correct?

 

i can't comment on that particular brand or model, but in terms of specs, yeah, that's what you're looking for.

 

If I were you I'd look for an internal wireless card. As a result I would probably look into Intel cards (not the 2200BG though) as they're supposed to work better in conjunction with the Pentium M processor.

This, however, is a preference and not a neccessity.

 

I would think about getting the Intel 2915 Card, just to give you my opinion.

 

What would be the advatages of using a card over usb? Will the card give me better performance?

 

I would agree with getting an internal wireless adapter. The advantage of a PCMCIA adapter over usb is that it doesn't stick out and therfore need to be removed before travel. The plus for the USB is that they usually come with a stand and cable so you can place the unit ( like an antenna) for best reception. It's really a non option for portability though. Otherwise opinions go both ways but niether is actually better.

 

Could someone please pick out a good, reliable wireless card from newegg?

I would like to keep it cheap too

 

When they were talking about the internal wireless. ( http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=430-1388&cs=19&c=us&l=en)
This is the Intel 2915 prowireless card. If you are not getting a Intel card, I would go for a pcmcia card that has the Atheros chipset in it. I have the Intel card for Windows, and my Atheros card for my Linux distro.

 

Agreed with ccbr01. The 2915 has been a solid wireless card. No if we get talking about the 2200 card, its almost as its made by a totally different manufacture.

But the Atheros cards are very great as well

 

I take it the Intel 2915 card will be a matter of installing the card and drivers and it should work with no problems?

I found the Intel 2915 for $31.99 too

I was also looking around newegg and I found this card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833338011

What are your thoughts on that card?

 

anyone have thoughts on that card?