Wi Fi - how to get it on a laptop that doesn't have it?

I was looking at Hp's dv9000t--looked like a good buy, but I noticed that it had nothing about Wi-Fi on there. It had and something called "Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network w/Bluetooth", but nothing about Wi-Fi. My b/f (who is the one actually buying the comp, but I am helping him shop for one) wants a comp with Wi-Fi. Is there anyway to "put" Wi-Fi onto a laptop that did not come with it, or is that a dumb question?

 

Don't worry, the 3945ABG is the name of the wireless card.

Pretty much all notebooks that are in the market have a wireless card, unless its explicitly stated that it doesn't, which I doubt there is.

 

So this "3945ABG Network" thing IS this "Wi-Fi" that my b/f keeps begging for?

 

Well, WiFi is a term used for wireless internet, and the 3945ABG is the name of the wireless card. Potentially with a wireless signal, one can use that card to log into the signal and use it to go on the internet wirelessly

 

Ok, so a comp like that (the dv9000t) with a wireless internet card, should be able to log onto the internet at places that offer "Wi-Fi" service? (please forgive my newb-ness!). In other news, I am slowly narrowing down laptops, and tomorrow will be posting all that I have come up with for opinions. I hope that is allowed! I have a customized Sager, Hp, and Toshiba built up so far.

 

Of course, though connecting to it is another topic.

Wireless connections are either secure or unsecured, meaning one is passworded and the other is not. If you have your own wireless connection, just connect to it, enter the password and it'll work just like that.

Some places have 'HotSpots' which means a free wireless connection if you are nearby, and in this case you are free to connect to it whenever.

 

Ok, thank you so much for your help!