How Do Wireless Laptop Cards Work?

General Information

A wireless laptop card is a tiny device that gives a computer the ability to access the Internet without being bogged down by ethernet cables (in the case of high speed Internet) or phone lines (in the case of dial up Internet). A wireless laptop card can either be internal (meaning it is built into the inside of your machine) or external (meaning it is an actual card shaped device that plugs into a slot somewhere on your laptop's case).

Operations

A wireless laptop card connects a computer to the Internet in a straightforward manner. A modem receives data from the Internet which it then passes on to a wireless router. The router converts that information into a signal that it broadcasts to anything within a certain range. The wireless laptop card enables your computer to pick up that signal, which it then converts back into data information. This process happens very quickly, usually resulting in no delay at all when compared to a computer that is connected to the Internet via an ethernet cable.

Range

The ability of a laptop to connect to the internet without wires is entirely dependent on the range of the wireless router. A standard wireless router designed for personal use has a range of about 120 feet, or 40 yards. That means that as long as you stay within that distance of the router, you will have a connection (though obviously the closer you are to the transmission's source, the stronger your signal reception will be).