Laptop Buying Guide: What do I need to stay connected on my laptop?

Laptop Buying Guide
What do I need to stay connected on my laptop?

To send and receive e-mail, browse the Web, and share files or printers, your laptop must be able to connect to a network or the Internet. This is done via a modem, an Ethernet hookup, or a wireless connection (either Wi-Fi or 3G mobile broadband).

Get connected: Networking options | Bluetooth | PC Cards and ExpressCards | Mobile broadband

Networking Options

Though the standard is being phased out, many notebooks still come with a 56Kbps modem (RJ-11) connection, and virtually all include Ethernet (RJ-45) or even faster Gigabit Ethernet connections. Almost all notebooks also include built-in antennas for wireless networking so that you can access wireless hot spots. Most Wi-Fi antennas use the 802.11g standard, but the faster 802.11n is becoming increasingly common. Note that you'll need a compatible 802.11n wireless router to get the faster throughput.

Bluetooth

For additional connectivity options, it's always nice to have Bluetooth, a wireless protocol that can transfer anything from wireless data to music back and forth between your laptop and paired devices. Some phones allow Bluetooth tethering for wireless Internet access. Bluetooth is often included on mainstream laptops, but be sure to check if it's something you think you might use.

PC Cards and ExpressCards

The ExpressCard interface has largely replaced the old PCMCIA style of card-based devices, both of which fit into a slot built into your laptop. However, even those are passing out of favor and being replaced by USB-powered dongles and adapters. ExpressCards can be used for high-bandwidth interfaces, such as Gigabit Ethernet ports and HDTV tuners, but with USB adapters for nearly everything--including 3G wireless modems--they're rarely necessary for mainstream users.

Mobile Broadband

If your travels regularly take you beyond the reach of Wi-Fi hot spots, you may want to consider spending a little extra for a notebook with a built-in mobile broadband antenna (the terms WWAN or 3G are also often used for this type of connection).

These antennas let you tap in to a cellular provider's data network. While they can be incredibly useful when Wi-Fi connectivity is spotty, the technology has its downsides: data plans still tend to be pricey; throughput speeds, while improving, are still slower than most high-speed Internet connections; and your built-in cellular card can typically work with only one cellular provider.

The good news is that 3G data plans sometimes allow for the purchase of subsidized Netbooks that not only save some money, but come with a 3G antenna built in. If you don't have one, there are a variety of USB or ExpressCard adapters that can add this functionality.

Source: CNET Reviews

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