Computers can be connected to the network due to network, to network specially needed equipment. Special tool designed to transform, send, and receive data to and from the network. This tool is commonly called a Network Adapter. In order for computers to capture, identify, send and receive data to and from the network without wires aka wireless network, the computer requires a wireless network adapter.

If you want your computer is also a wireless of that is around, then you need a wireless network adapter. In the wireless adapter, there is a transmitter which is used to transmit radio signals, and a receiver which serves to receive a wave or signal. With a laptop usually comes with a wireless adapter built-in, and you feel quite satisfied with its capabilities, meaning you may not need to buy a new wireless adapter. But, if by chance your laptop or computer is not having, meaning you have to buy it. There are many kinds of brands and forms of wireless adapters. Capabilities, advantages, disadvantages, and the quality also varies. To seek and find the most appropriate wireless adapter with the desire, means that first you need to know the forms of wireless adapters.

Wireless adapters are generally placed on one of the port input / output (I / O port) on your computer. For example, the expansion card slot, or the socket on the motherboards, or on a PCMCIA socket, or well on the USB socket. Where and how the wireless card is placed, depending on the form.

Of course, each wireless adapter form has advantages and disadvantages. To find out which form is most appropriate for you, probably will depend also on the type of computer you use.

For example, in the form of wireless PC Card adapter is usually best suited for laptops. Being USB adapter, usually most appropriate for Desktop. But of course it does not have to. You’re still free to choose the form of wireless adapters that you want. Computer as long as you provide the required slot.

If a new laptop on the wireless adapter module have mini PC card. The module is placed directly on the motherboard. An antenna, also in included with it. The goal, among others, to increase the ease and convenience to the user’s laptop. With a wireless adapter that attaches directly on the motherboard, so laptop users do not have to bother carrying it along with the laptop wireless adapter. It is also in order to minimize the risk of losing the wireless adapter. For example, forgotten, or left behind. The disadvantage?

Only one, because the adapter is attached to the motherboard, making the adapter cannot be lifted and moved. For what is moved? For example when I want to use the wireless adapter on your laptop or desktop to another. Technology-based laptops include a wireless adapter module on the motherboard, generally include a button to turn on and off this function. Point, among others, to maintain security and save battery. Well, if you find that your laptop has an internal adapter, try to find that button, and use.

If you’re not going to use wireless, then that function should be turned off. That’s to prevent your computer is not compromised by others through a wireless network. Also, to save battery. Do not forget to turn it on again, when you want to access the wireless network.

Although you do not have a laptop internal wireless adapter, you do not need to be sad and disappointed. You can still detect and access wireless networks with your laptop, by way of buying a wireless adapter in the form of PC Cards. Then put it in a PCMCIA card slot.

What about the brand of choice? Do not be afraid, almost all wireless equipment manufacturers produce this type of adapter. In addition to its practical, its weight is not too burdensome. Which, these two things are factors in the desire of most laptop users.

Consider the figure below, this is one example of a wireless PC Card adapter.

Is currently not in use, extravagant Internal Adapter PC Cards?

Nope, experts say that when not in use, PC Cards do not extravagant Internal Adapter.

But for the sake of saving, of course you can remove it when not in use.

According to the info, PC Cards are divided into two types. The first type is called Original Standard. Referred to as a PCMCIA Type the old model, because it still uses the data transfer speed 16-bit, and it only supports 802.11b wireless networking standard. This type is found on an older laptop.

While for the second type, has a 32 bit transfer rate, because it supports Card Bus feature. This type of PC Cards capable of detecting and accessing standardized 802.11a/g/n wireless networks. Laptops are manufactured in the 1990s onwards, usually support this type of PC Cards.

Moderate for laptops and above 2006 output, usually capable of using both types of PC Cards before. The latest laptops, generally using a special slot called Express Card. Physically, this type of slot using a different card types, and are not compatible with the two types above.

USB Adapters

For now, the wireless adapter in place on the USB slot is probably the best alternative for accessing the wireless network. Why? Therefore, almost all computer output 1999 and above, either laptop or desktop, would have been equipped with a USB slot.

This type of wireless adapter, both of which were placed directly, or another connected with the cable, generally also equipped with a built-in antenna. In addition, its small and lightweight, making it impractical to be moved or taken together with the computer.

Consider the figure below. This is an example in the form of a USB Wireless Adapter.

This USB wireless adapter, comes with a variety of shapes and sizes. Capabilities and different features. From the simplest, to the futuristic.

That is partly because each manufacturer has its own philosophy and target market. Starting from the general user, techno phobia, to techno mania.

And, because antenna larger and easier to manipulate, you can expect better performance than the internal adapter.

In addition to adapters shaped like the figure 2, there is also a USB adapter that looks very similar to a Flash Drive or Flash Disk.

For example you can see in Figure 3.

Because of the shape and smaller size, this USB adapter type generally has a transmitter and receiver with a lower capacity than PC Cards, or USB adapter is shown in Figure 2.

That of course will affect its ability to capture and transmit the wireless signal. USB adapters of this type often fail to detect and capture the signal. As a result, communications via wireless often disconnected.

Expansion Cards For Desktop Computers

Wireless adapter type, its shape is similar to other expansion-card card. For example, sound or video card. Placement is the same way. Ie in the insert contained in a special slot on the motherboard. Take a look at the picture below. This is one example of the wireless adapter expansion type cards.

Even though it looks different, but many types of this adapter is an adapter which is actually the same as those in place in the PCMCIA slot and then added to the fit with the expansion card slot on the motherboard.

If you happen to buy this type of adapter with built-in antenna, meaning you do not need to seek external antenna with a connector that fits. But if there’s no bulit-in antenna?

Means you have to look for external antenna connectors that fit. Yep, troublesome indeed. In addition to still having to deal with the cabling, some other problems also often encountered. For example, the signal is lost or compromised by a computer casing, or other devices that are in the vicinity.

With all the difficulties, it does not mean that this type of adapter can not work properly. Adapter type was still able to work equally well with other types of adapters. Especially if you master the things associated with wireless technology. Example of what is often a confounding signal, etc.

But if you do not want to bother, Wireless USB adapter may be more appropriate for you.