About Laptop Wireless Internet Access

Laptop computers always were a good idea, from the moment computer scientist Alan Kay wrote a paper on them in 1968. This was long before the technology existed to produce them, but the idea was there. Yet until the advent of wireless networking, laptops weren't that much more mobile than their desk-bound counterparts. They still had to be jacked into a network to communicate with anyone else. Fortunately, times have changed.

History

The idea of wireless networking isn't new. When Guglielmo Marconi and others did their work in the late 19th century, wireless was born and we called it radio. Radio itself can both send and receive signals, but as it grew, it became generally a receiver in homes around the world. Aside from entertainment and military uses, wireless remained one-way for consumers until the late part of the 20th century. It didn't really start to take off until the middle of the first decade of the 21st century. It increases its availability nearly every day.

Function

Essentially, how it works is still wired. A wired Internet connection still must come into a house, restaurant or business. This can be via the same cable that carries television signals or over phone lines. In either case, it's still wire. The modem that accepts this cable then is connected to wireless router. This is a box that takes the signals from the cable and then transmits them via radio waves.

Types

Wireless Internet access means every computer in a house or business can be connected to the Internet without the need for cables everywhere. But just using it there is very limited. Where the idea really works is with laptop computers, especially out of the house. This can be as close as the back porch, as far as a coffee shop or, in some cases, downtown areas.

Features

Laptop computers were designed to be portable. So when wireless networks first became available, laptops had PCMCIA slots in their sides so users could purchase wireless PC cards. These still work well, but they do stick out of the side of the computer and can be fragile. The ideal solution was to build the wireless card inside the laptop. This meant the cards had to get lighter. In July 1999, Steve Jobs, co-founder and CEO of Apple Computer, picked up an iBook at the Macworld convention and demonstrated the first consumer-level wireless card, Airport. This helped to popularize wireless Internet for the masses.

Geography

Restaurants and other businesses often advertise the availability of free wireless Internet access because it draws customers. Wireless accessibility has been made available in downtown areas of cities. Some of these charge consumers directly for use; others are paid for by municipalities.

Significance

What this means for the laptop user is finally being totally mobile. Laptops can go anywhere and use wireless networks. This means you can take your whole office or your college studies anywhere you want to go.