I can point you in the right direction, but you should google some of these topics for a better understanding. The prefered, wired connection for your laptop is Ethernet. This network interface connects via a Cat.5E, UTP(ushielded twisted pair)cable, finished with RJ45 connectors, which can be plugged in at your house, hotels, etc.. The wireless ethernet version(WiFi)is IEEE 802.11B/G. If you want the convenience of both of these options, you would have to have 2 network interface cards. Most laptops come with one. You can purchase a PCMCIA card for the other. You can configure each NIC(network interface card) with different firewall exceptions, making it very convenient to use the hardwired version at work/home, and the wireless at public hotspots like Starbucks/airport. Connecting via cell phone is rather slow and expensive. Regarding plugging into a friend's pc; you can accomplish this via ICS, internet connection sharing. The computer doing the sharing will need 2 NICs. Google and learn!
My desktop is starting to feel sluggish, and i have no DVD burner on it ... I would like to buy a laptop to take with me when i travel and to start burning dvds of slides shows and videos and to watch dvds while on the road, before splashing out on a new desktop ...
I know nothing about laptops, particularly all the possibilities one has to connect it to the internet...
particularly i want to know
* what do i need to have in order to connect it to the adsl router currently connecting my pc to the internet... ( and what woudld i need to do to share this connection, like say a wireless home network )
related to this .. what specifics are involved in connecting my peripherals ( printers, scanners ) and accessories ( camera, mp3 player ) to a new laptop ..
* when i am on the road, what do i need to do to plug into a friends pc internet connection or a hotel
* what do i need to do to / have to connect a laptop with my cell phone? and how expensive, useful is this...
* what is involved in using these WI FI hotspots i see in starbucks and in airports?
BASICALLY - I AM LOOKING FOR A BASIC TUTORIAL ON LAPTOPS, FROM KNOWING WHAT I NEED TO LOOK FOR IN A LAPTOP CONCERNING INTERNET ACCESS
thanks
chris
thanks, chris