wireless internet connection guide?

[steamywindows]

Hello ive been on about getting a laptop and went in to dixons for advice about wireless internet and the lady couldnt explain.Would anyone be able to help me out? Im going back to oz soon and wanted to get a cheap laptop for emails ,internet and pictures mainly ive been looking at a £400 laptop.I thought that this wireless thing worked like bluetooth type thing so wherever you are you can sort of borrow the internet connection off people but the woman in the shop said i had to buy this thing for £90 to make it work on aol in england.She said it might not work on internet abroad????Im rubbish with computers and all the fancy pc talk is jibberish to me so would somebody explain it to me like your explaining it to a 5yr old.Thanks for the help

 

[Gareth]

wireless PC connectivity is just like bluetooth (only a different technology), to be able to use wireless networking you need to buy a laptop with wireless capability ( a laptop with an inbuilt wireless network card, or an PCMCIA card which slots into the side of the laptop ). To be able to use the internet via wireless you need to connect it to a router / network providing Internet access, you can't just go round nicking connections off people as that won't happen.

 

[steamywindows]

They said its internet ready but they r saying i need this extra thing for £90 she said it sort of tells your home pc or modem that your laptop is using internet too, does that sound ok or bullshitty? And would i be able to use it on the internet abroad off a friends pc/modem? thanks for answer.

 

[Gareth]

sounds like BS to me, if your friend has wireless networking, yes.