What is a Wireless Network Card?
Its the wireless card inside your laptop or desktop computer that allows you to connect to Wi-Fi hotspots and home Internet services without tying to the router via a cord. A router translates the data into a radio single, which a tiny antenna inside your PC picks up, and the card converts it back into binary code in order for your computer to read it. This type of radio communication works at a higher frequency than that of cell phones and radios.
How to Choose Wireless Network Adapters?
To get the proper product to fit your needs, you must know the specs of the Compaq Presario network card and whether or not it will fix your problem and work on your PC.
- Networking standard - Before making a decision, you need to know the network standard in order to understand how it communicates with the other wireless products you use in your home. A network that uses a 2.4 gigahertz frequency will not work with a network card that has a standard of 5 gigahertz. One way to get around this is to go with a dual-band card that is compatible with all Wi-Fi certified products.
- Bandwidth - The amount of data that can transfer in a specific amount of time is the bandwidth. The higher the bandwidth number, the faster rate of transfer. For example, 802.11g and 802.11n send data at speeds of 54 and 140 megabits per second which makes both of those quicker than a bandwidth of 802.11b.
- Range - Just as it sounds, the range is how far from the router a network card will be able to pick up the signal and deliver seamless connectivity.
- WPA - Wi-Fi Protected Access helps to keep your information safe while on a wireless network. WPA suggests connection through trustworthy providers, choosing products with certification, and enabling security if you use your own network.
What are the Different Types of Compaq Wireless Cards?
- PCI - Desktop computers use PCI wireless adapter cards. As long as there is a free PCI slot on the motherboard, installation is straightforward and very easy.
- Mini PCI - The mini network card is for laptops and comes inside the PC and communicates through the computers bus.
- PCMCIA - Appearing in notebooks, a PCMCIA (card bus) comes with an internal wireless antenna. It requires an external PCMCIA slot in which you install the device with the antenna protruding from the body of the notebook.
- PC card or ExpressCard - An adapter with the label PC card or ExpressCard is one that fits into a slot on the side of the device and goes mainly in laptops.
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