As you say, you have to get another PC-Card wireless adapter. This can work. You'll just disable your old one and use your new one.

The best solution though would be to replace your integrated one, but I know from experience that Toshiba, HP, IBM, and Compaq do not allow you to do this. Toshiba doesn't allow you to access the integrated card, and HP and Compaq make you buy the card through them.

Dell is the only major manufacturer which gives people the ability and indeed encourages their customers to upgrade not only their wireless but also to put in Bluetooth, RAM, change the keyboard, and so forth.

The advantage of upgrading the internal card is that it has a quicker response when coming out of standby, uses less power, and the antenna can't be snapped off.