If you order the machine with the 2200 wireless adapter installed, you won't need a PC (PCMCIA) wireless card. The 2200 is installed in the internal mini-PCI slot. All current Dell laptops include built-in Ethernet support.
Why then does Dell offer provider service PC card for wireless internet access such as At&T wireless, T-Mobile?
Nora,
I missed the distinction you were making! The 2200 is an 802.11b/g device for use on wireless LANs, and the TrueMobileâ„¢ 5100 GPRS PC Cards are based on a technology known as the "General Packet Radio Service". Here's a
link that describes GPRS. So fundamentally, it's "cellular" service.
Whether you need one or the other or both will depend on how you'll be using your notebook.
Do I need to buy that now or can I wait until it is available where I'll be using the notebook?
According to Dell's description of the TM5100 devices, you need to specify the provider at the time you place the order. Are you really interested in equipping your new machine for cellular access, or did you (like I did!) become confused by the use of the term "wireless" to describe both these technologies?
The "Help me choose" link for Wireless WAN options contains some useful information about what those are and do.
(Incidentally, I've been looking at the Latitude D600 configurator while I was composing this note. Other Dell laptops offer similar features, but I wanted to be sure I understood your question, and could answer with an actual example.)
I did understand that they were two different things. I'm not ready to get the wireless service (cellular- which is used in "Hot Spots" such as airports) right now. But I may want it in the near future. I'm just wondering if it can be added by me at a later date.
It's certainly not clear from Dell's description that the GPRS cards can be added later. I suspect the issue is the same as cellular phones - they need to be "activated" for a specific provider before they can be used. Surely they're available from the cellular providers! I just don't know.
But I'm still not sure that "Wi-Fi" (802.11x) isn't what's commonly available in airports! See, for example,Â
this site, which allows Wi-Fi "hotspots" to be located.
The TruMobile 5100 card is based on cell phone technolgy, and requires that you acticate a subscription with T-Mobile or ATTWS for service, and you are changed by the MB. The technology used is called GPRS, and is NOT the same as 802.11x. With this card and service, you'd be able to get access to the internet (at about 56k modem speeds) anywher you have a cell phone signal. Similar cards are avilable for purcahse directly form your cell phone provider.
The other cards are 802.11b/g cards, and are commonly referred to as WiFi. These are the technologies that work in starbucks & airports, and provide much higher speeds.
I thought the 802.11b/g cards were the wireless network cards (to connect to a home or office computer) and if I wanted to use the "Hot Spots" as in Starbucks, I would need a provider?
My question was: can I put in the card in the notebook for internet access at a later date?
I thought the 802.11b/g cards were the wireless network cards (to connect to a home or office computer) and if I wanted to use the "Hot Spots" as in Starbucks, I would need a provider?
No, this 802.11b/g is a wireless card, to connect to a home or office wireless router (including those at "Hotspots") There is also a built in eithernet card for a "wired" connection in the home or office.
My question was: can I put in the card in the notebook for internet access at a later date?
Yes, simple as long as you get the one needed for your computer. 802.11b/g mini wireless card for the space under your HD (in most models) or the one for the cell phone capabilities for the PCMCIA slot. But the one for the PCMCIA slot will beed a Cell phone provider which you will pay a monthly access fee. The wireless card (80211b/g) will hook up to hotspots for a small charge at some places and for free at others.
I thought the 802.11b/g cards were the wireless network cards (to connect to a home or office computer) and if I wanted to use the "Hot Spots" as in Starbucks, I would need a provider?
No, this 802.11b/g is a wireless card, to connect to a home or office wireless router (including those at "Hotspots") There is also a built in eithernet card for a "wired" connection in the home or office.
My question was: can I put in the card in the notebook for internet access at a later date?
Yes, simple as long as you get the one needed for your computer. 802.11b/g mini wireless card for the space under your HD (in most models) or the one for the cell phone capabilities for the PCMCIA slot. But the one for the PCMCIA slot will beed a Cell phone provider which you will pay a monthly access fee. The wireless card (80211b/g) will hook up to hotspots for a small charge at some places and for free at others.
Cellular Wireless: is like your Cellular Phone, Works in a lot of places and Costs money per minutes.
WiFi/802.11 b or g: is like your Home Cordless Phone, Better Quality/Speeds, and costs per month regardless of useage. But You can't take it very far away from the Base, but you can take the Base and Phone, so anywhere there is service you would get the Better Quality/Speeds...
Networking (a similar analogy)
You can have two or three or more Handsets with your Home Cordless Phones on one Number/Network, but Cellular, each has its own number, and transfering a call from one person to the next, isn't very efficient.
How is that for a basic analogy...
Again, Get the WiFi 802.11g Built in as you will always be able to use it more places, and more everyday. As for the Cellular, you will change plans, phones, and providors all the time, so Get an External Cellular Wireless, so that when you don't use that Provider you don't have to carry that device with you...
Hope that helps a bit more...
Sorry I lost the Full Explanation...
Kevin Converse...
By the way, I am just practicing this BBS thing, and posting.... so that I don't repeat the last mistake... LOL
jwatt
4.4K Posts
0
June 19th, 2004 18:00
Jim
crimlin02
8 Posts
0
June 19th, 2004 19:00
Jim,
Why then does Dell offer provider service PC card for wireless internet access such as At&T wireless, T-Mobile?
Do I need to buy that now or can I wait until it is available where I'll be using the notebook?
Nora
jwatt
4.4K Posts
0
June 19th, 2004 23:00
Nora,
I missed the distinction you were making! The 2200 is an 802.11b/g device for use on wireless LANs, and the TrueMobileâ„¢ 5100 GPRS PC Cards are based on a technology known as the "General Packet Radio Service". Here's a link that describes GPRS. So fundamentally, it's "cellular" service.
Whether you need one or the other or both will depend on how you'll be using your notebook.
Do I need to buy that now or can I wait until it is available where I'll be using the notebook?
According to Dell's description of the TM5100 devices, you need to specify the provider at the time you place the order. Are you really interested in equipping your new machine for cellular access, or did you (like I did!) become confused by the use of the term "wireless" to describe both these technologies?
The "Help me choose" link for Wireless WAN options contains some useful information about what those are and do.
(Incidentally, I've been looking at the Latitude D600 configurator while I was composing this note. Other Dell laptops offer similar features, but I wanted to be sure I understood your question, and could answer with an actual example.)
Jim
crimlin02
8 Posts
0
June 20th, 2004 00:00
Jim,
I did understand that they were two different things. I'm not ready to get the wireless service (cellular- which is used in "Hot Spots" such as airports) right now. But I may want it in the near future. I'm just wondering if it can be added by me at a later date.
Thanks.
Nora
jwatt
4.4K Posts
0
June 20th, 2004 01:00
But I'm still not sure that "Wi-Fi" (802.11x) isn't what's commonly available in airports! See, for example, this site, which allows Wi-Fi "hotspots" to be located.
Jim
mattcowger
2.6K Posts
0
June 20th, 2004 04:00
The TruMobile 5100 card is based on cell phone technolgy, and requires that you acticate a subscription with T-Mobile or ATTWS for service, and you are changed by the MB. The technology used is called GPRS, and is NOT the same as 802.11x. With this card and service, you'd be able to get access to the internet (at about 56k modem speeds) anywher you have a cell phone signal. Similar cards are avilable for purcahse directly form your cell phone provider.
The other cards are 802.11b/g cards, and are commonly referred to as WiFi. These are the technologies that work in starbucks & airports, and provide much higher speeds.
crimlin02
8 Posts
0
June 20th, 2004 12:00
Thanks, Jim. I'll just have to call DELL before I actually order the notebook to claify it.
Nora
crimlin02
8 Posts
0
June 20th, 2004 12:00
Matt,
I thought the 802.11b/g cards were the wireless network cards (to connect to a home or office computer) and if I wanted to use the "Hot Spots" as in Starbucks, I would need a provider?
My question was: can I put in the card in the notebook for internet access at a later date?
Nora
Oditius
2 Intern
•
808 Posts
0
June 20th, 2004 19:00
crimlin02
8 Posts
0
June 20th, 2004 21:00
Matt,
I thought the 802.11b/g cards were the wireless network cards (to connect to a home or office computer) and if I wanted to use the "Hot Spots" as in Starbucks, I would need a provider?
No, this 802.11b/g is a wireless card, to connect to a home or office wireless router (including those at "Hotspots") There is also a built in eithernet card for a "wired" connection in the home or office.
My question was: can I put in the card in the notebook for internet access at a later date?
Yes, simple as long as you get the one needed for your computer. 802.11b/g mini wireless card for the space under your HD (in most models) or the one for the cell phone capabilities for the PCMCIA slot. But the one for the PCMCIA slot will beed a Cell phone provider which you will pay a monthly access fee. The wireless card (80211b/g) will hook up to hotspots for a small charge at some places and for free at others.
Nora
Rodney Ulanowicz
Thanks for your input, Rodney.
WiFiTech
20 Posts
0
June 22nd, 2004 20:00
I read halfway through this thread, and decided to put in my two cents worth. First lets get everyone on the same page...
Connecting to the internet:
Connection Type Connection Speed Connection Media
Phone Line (Dial Up) 14.4 kbps to 56 kbps Phone Cord to Computer Modem
Data Line (DSL/CABLE/T1) 128 kbps to 3000 kbps Cat V/RJ45 to Compter Ehternet Port
Wireless (Cellular Phone) 14.4 kbps to 33.6 kbps Cellular Modem/PCMCIA/mini-pci card (Basically a Cellular Phone Modem)
WiFi or 802.11(b or g)
WiFiTech
20 Posts
0
June 22nd, 2004 21:00
I sent the first reply accidentaly before It was finished... do you want the rest of it...
?????
Kevin
crimlin02
8 Posts
0
June 22nd, 2004 21:00
WiFiTech
20 Posts
0
June 22nd, 2004 21:00
I typed in about 500 words, and gave examples unfortunately I was logged out in the process and lost it...
Let me know if you need a simple explanation, as I can call you and answer any questions you have, I do this for a living.
Kevin Converse
converse@impulseconnect.com
WiFiTech
20 Posts
0
June 22nd, 2004 22:00
Laymans Terms and Analogy:
Cellular Wireless: is like your Cellular Phone, Works in a lot of places and Costs money per minutes.
WiFi/802.11 b or g: is like your Home Cordless Phone, Better Quality/Speeds, and costs per month regardless of useage. But You can't take it very far away from the Base, but you can take the Base and Phone, so anywhere there is service you would get the Better Quality/Speeds...
Networking (a similar analogy)
You can have two or three or more Handsets with your Home Cordless Phones on one Number/Network, but Cellular, each has its own number, and transfering a call from one person to the next, isn't very efficient.
How is that for a basic analogy...
Again, Get the WiFi 802.11g Built in as you will always be able to use it more places, and more everyday. As for the Cellular, you will change plans, phones, and providors all the time, so Get an External Cellular Wireless, so that when you don't use that Provider you don't have to carry that device with you...
Hope that helps a bit more...
Sorry I lost the Full Explanation...
Kevin Converse...
By the way, I am just practicing this BBS thing, and posting.... so that I don't repeat the last mistake... LOL