Wireless Adapters

If your computer does not have an integrated wireless adapter you will need a networking card to connect to your access point or router. These cards usually come in the form of PCMCIA cards or USB adapters. The PCMCIA cards resemble credit cards, and are often referred to as such. The USB network devices look more like a small box than a card. Since a desktop would not have a PCMCIA slot, the USB device would be commonly used instead. It is rare for laptops to not have integrated wireless adapters today. Five years ago networking cards were sold a lot more than they are now. Even the majority of desktops now have integrated wireless devices. If you do find yourself using a machine without integrated wireless, it is best to match the brand of your networking card with that of your router. While it is not required, it will be less likely to run into connection issues than another brand might. Many adaptors come with required software that must be installed before use, so make sure all your network drivers are updated as well.