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Message |
    
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3653
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 4, 2006 - 10:04 pm: | 
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I would like to add wireless capability to my laptop for when I'm away from home. (We have a wired network working fine at home and don't plan to change that in the near future.) Is this reasonably easy to do? What would it cost? I have available PCMCIA and USB connections if that makes a difference.
Does this affect memory usage? I am somewhat squeezed in that regard. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 15217
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 4, 2006 - 11:22 pm: |
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It's extremely easy. You can use a USB adapter or a card adapter.
You also need a router that has wireless built in. You have that, right?
I don't think these use much memory. Why are you squeezed? I don't think it's wise to skimp on memory, and your laptop can probably accept more than it has.
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tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 5400
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 5, 2006 - 1:59 am: |
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You're probably just looking at whatever memory it takes to run a device driver, yes? Not much. |
sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 15501
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 5, 2006 - 8:19 am: |
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+ incremental battery usage if not plugged in |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3657
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 5, 2006 - 8:33 am: |
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re "You also need a router that has wireless built in. You have that, right? "
Wouldn't that only be if I wanted to use the wireless at home? I plan to continue using the wired network at home and just have this capability for when I'm away.
We have another laptop in the family that came with wireless capability and that's how we use that one - plugged in at home, wireless when away. We took it on a recent trip and found lots of places, including several of our motels, that had free wireless and connected right up.
Now, I'm going to be going on a trip soon by myself, so I want to take MY laptop (not the "family" one), hence my desire to have the same capability on it.
Re adding memory - I think it is just an older computer (pushing four years old now) and with upgrades to Windows and other operating software, there seems to be less and less memory left for the applications. Not a big deal, and it still works quite well, but I'd hate to eat up much more. It doesn't sound like it will be a problem for the wireless connection, though. ARE there inexpensive ways to add memory to a laptop? I always thought that would be prohibitive. |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1879
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 5, 2006 - 11:03 am: |
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As with virtually all PC questions... "it depends". In this case, it depends on how much memory you've got already and what the system maximum is.
Check here:
http://www.memorystock.com/Laptops-memory.htm
for a start. If you post your exact laptop make and model, along with the current memory you have, someone here can give you more advice. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3658
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 5, 2006 - 4:32 pm: |
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It was built for me at a computer shop in Fall 2002. So, I don't have an exact make, although it wasn't particularly customized as far as I know. The model number is 2500 on the invoice (and CY25 on the underside of the computer), but I don't think that helps much without the manufacturer name and they didn't provide that. I even have a couple of serial numbers which might reveal something to someone in the know (?) The machine has 512M of memory.
More recently we've become less satisfied with service from there, so I'm not so inclined to take it back for upgrade although that is still a possibility. |
TarPit Coder
Citizen
Username: Tarpitcoder
Post Number: 110
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 5, 2006 - 7:49 pm: |
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Half a gig of RAM should run XP/2000 just fine. The memory footprint of the wireless driver shouldn't significantly bog the machine down. Much more significant is the quality of the driver, regardless if USB or PCMCIA.
USB transceivers offer the advantage of allowing a cable to your laptop. This allows you to relocate the transceiver in cases where signal strength is poor.
Look for reviews by people who know what they are talking about whichever path you choose. The drivers and chipset can make a huge difference between a flakey nightmare and reliable solid operation.
--Tarp |
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