Does wi-fi work for non-laptop computers?

TravisTheSky

I'm clueless about wireless internet access.

The apartment building I live in now offers free wi-fi to new tenants. Which means that the "waves" or whatever are accessible throughout the entire building. My lease is up soon, so I will likely have the option of choosing the service when I renew.

I have a regular plug-in (non-laptop) computer. It's a cheap Hewlett-Packard made in 2006. Does wi-fi work with these old fashioned kinds? If no, why not?

If yes, how does wireless compare with wired internet? I currently use a Time Warner cable. I no longer have cable television, just the internet. I use my internet for triple duty as a computer, television, and telephone. For TV, I watch free shows online. For phone, I have a $20 per year MagicJack. I know wi-fi requires an access card. Will I have to register with a new company? Is it all the same browsers like Firefox, IE, etc.?

I've heard that the use of wireless is extremely susceptible to having people nearby spy and collect data, if scramblers are not used. Does that mean the landlord can watch what the tenants are up to?

I've also heard that reception varies, like with mobile phones. This is a brick building, I often notice people heading to the lobby to use their phones because the inner walls block signals.

All information and advice is welcome. Thank You!

Stone Is God

What you need is a PCI Wireless card. You can buy them at Staples or Best Buy. You can also use a USB version of a wireless card which might be easier for someone who has no computer experience. You're building should supply you with some sort of security access code to access the wireless points in the building. If they leave their points open they are out of their minds. I have just a laptop, which is older, and it still works fast. I use Comcast cable with a Linksys G router.

You will be able to use any browser you like. The browser is just the vehicle to get out to the internet.

As far as signal it all depends on how close to the access point that you are.

Here are some of the cards:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplate ... p=15&iht=n

so-much-clearer

For your level, I would go with the USB wireless card Stone Is God mentioned.

As for security: hopefully your building's wireless network has a password, Windows will probably ask you for it if you try to connect. Your landlord won't be able to view your screen without personally installing software on your computer, but they could see any folders you have set as Shared (i.e. things you have saved in Shared Documents in Windows) and possibly browsing history. To be honest, your landlord probably has better things to do than crack tenant computers. MOST people who break into wireless networks do it just so they can get free internet or pirate movies.

And that's the other thing: downloading things illegally over a monitored network might not be such a good idea, if you're into that sort of thing.

TravisTheSky

Hmmm... Okay, thank you. That link to the cards was good.

I'll have to ask the landlord if he uses it himself. Or if he can let me talk to a tenant who does. From these two responses, it sounds less reliable than the hard-wired service I have now.....but obviously, saving money is important. The owner probably pays one rate for the entire building, regardless of how many people use it. So if I ask for a few bucks off the rent because I don't want wi-fi, the owner would be losing money.

Stone Is God

I wouldn't say it's less reliable but it does have to do with your location in regards to the closest access point. The signal that you get is very important. I'd talk to your landlord and see how close it is and you could buy the USB version and try it. If you don't like it you can always return it and keep the service you have.