There are three basic types of wireless network adaptors.  All have advantages, disadvantages, and specialized uses where one type will fulfill a need better than the others.

A PCI Wireless Adaptor Card is most commonly used as desktop wireless network adapter with desktop computers.  PCI, or Peripheral Component Interconnect, is an industry connection standard for interfacing peripheral devices to a computer’s CPU.  It establishes a bus that all connected devices share for communicating with the computer.  A PCI wireless card has an antenna on one end and circuit contacts for the computer’s motherboard on the other.  It fits directly into a slot on the motherboard, inside the computer, and the antenna sticks out of the back of the computer case.  Its biggest drawback is that it must be manually installed inside the computer case, and opening that case up instantly voids many manufacturer warranties.

Wireless PC Adaptor Cards are most commonly used with notebook or laptop computers.  They used to be called PCMCI cards.  PCMCI is an acronym for Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, which is an organization of about 500 private companies that worked to develop a communications standard for small, credit card-sized devices that were originally designed for adding memory to portable computers.  The cards are now called PC cards, and are mostly used as a wireless network adaptor to connect laptop and notebook computers to networks.  They are typically inserted into a slot on the side of the portable computer, and stick out just a bit to allow interference-free transmission to/from Wi-Fi antennas.  The main disadvantage to PC cards is that they become hot during normal use.

The wireless USB network adaptor is rapidly becoming the most common network wireless adaptor on the market.  The Universal Serial Bus (USB) is the instant connection behind “plug and play” technology.  It also allows users to unplug and replace peripherals without having to shut down and restart the computer.  Users can also purchase USB hubs which work like a multiple outlet electric plug, allowing users to connect many different devices through a single USB port at the same time.  USB adaptors are by far the most common type of wireless connection in use with a home network setup.

USB adaptors come in two flavors: wireless G and wireless N.  G adaptors are based on well-established standards and come in three different data speed (10 MBS, 54 MBS and 108 MBS).  Their useful range rises correspondingly with the data speed.  N routers are faster and carry more data farther.  However, they are more expensive.  In most residential homes, the difference isn’t enough to be noticed by the average users.  The only real problem with USB adaptors is that they are so small and portable that they are easily lost or stolen.

There are three basic types of wireless network adaptors on the market today:  the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) adaptor, the PC card, and USB wireless adaptors.

PCI adaptors are the most common wireless adaptors used today, although USB adaptors are rapidly gaining in popularity.  The Peripheral Component Interconnect is an industry standard for the way in which certain hardware communicates with computers through a channel that is called a bus.  PCI adaptors are commonly used in desktop PCs and are installed into a slot on the motherboard.

While PCI adaptors are mostly used on desktop PCs, the PC card is usually found with notebook or laptop computers.  Most portable computers have a slot on the side where a PC card can be inserted to wirelessly connect them to a network.  PC cards usually have an internal Wi-Fi antenna to enable the transmission and reception of wireless signals.

The “USB” in a USB adaptor stands for Universal Serial Bus, and refers to a standardized communication channel on a computer.  USB ports are an available connection on almost every personal computer, desktop or portable, now manufactured.  They are external, and very easy to connect to.  The biggest benefit of a USB wireless adaptor is that it is a plug and play device.  Plug it into any USB port and in seconds it is recognized by your computer and ready to go.  The next most important benefit is that USB wireless network adaptors are easily portable.  Unlike a PC card, which has to be inserted on the motherboard on the inside of the computer, wireless USB adaptors can easily be moved from computer to computer, desktop or laptop.

It should be noted that not all USB adaptors are the same.  Although it’s a “standard,” it keeps being improved and there are three there are really versions of USB.  It is the standard for connecting any external computer peripheral device because of its built-in power supply and relatively fast speeds.  USB 1 has top transfer speeds of 12Mbps, which is great for mice and keyboards but kind of slow for other applications, so the “standard” was upgraded to USB 2.0, which operates at 480Mbps.  You will want to ensure that your USB adaptor is a USB 2.0 model.

Another thing to pay attention to is the protocol of the wireless router you are using.  N protocol wireless routers have a range of nearly 700 feet, while G protocol routers have an unobstructed range of about 100 feet.   The USB adaptor should specify which protocol it supports.  N routers have backwards compatibility with G protocols, but you should still make sure the adaptor you are going to purchase will work with your router before buying it.

Modern usb wireless cards are a very convenient device that allows an individual to connect to the internet. This card can be purchased from many different retailers particularly cell phone companies that offer internet service as an optional part of their service plans. These cards are very small and can be installed via the usb port on any computer. An individual using this type of card will have a laptop. The card works alongside a wireless router in some cases to help you pick up a clear internet signal. In other cases the USB drive connects to a larger signal that is controlled by a network such a cell phone company. There are many ways to utilize usb wireless cards.

An usb wireless ethernet card can be used to connect to the internet using a router. If you have a broadband router you can program your computer to connect to the ethernet card which will provide a clear signal to access the internet. These cards can be purchased from any electronic retailer and some cell phone companies. In order for this type of card to work effectively you will have to purchase a modem of some sort. Some people use usb extension cables that will allow them to extend the connectivity of the wireless internet service if necessary.

There are many cell phone companies that offer wireless internet service. With the purchase of wireless internet service many times you will have to purchase an usb wireless network card. This card will usually be purchased simultaneously with a modem and cellular/wireless service from the respective company. Many of the major cell phone companies like AT&T, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile offer wireless plans, but in many cases you will have to open a line of service in order to get wireless service. Some of the best usb cards that offer wireless capabilities have antennas connected to them which allow the user to pick up a better signal.

There are so many benefits to using an usb wireless pc card. All of these cards are very small so they can easily be placed into a laptop bag. Likewise, these cards are pretty affordable when you consider the internet access they provide. It can be said that some of these cards are a bit better than others for connecting to a signal and those are the ones that are more expensive. A wireless usb network card is also ideal because it can be used in different computers. Unlike hardwired internet connections, a wireless usb card allows an individual to connect to any computer by simply inserting the device into the usb port. Furthermore, this device can be used with both laptops and desktops as long as they have usb ports.

You can purchase a wireless usb card from any major electronics store. Many stores and cellular and wireless often offer discounts where the card is free if you purchase a line of service or a modem. You can also use the internet to compare prices on different cards so that you can find the card that will provide the best wireless range while being affordable.

The usb wireless cards are primarily for the use of creating an Internet connection with your computer. There is a wide variety of these cards available depending on what type of computer device you are using. The technology behind the usb wireless card enables a person to connect to the Internet without needing the external wiring of a modem or similar device. Because of this the cards are widely used for people who want to connect to the Internet using free Wi-Fi services.

The usb wireless network card can be plugged into any usb port located on a desktop computer or laptop. The cards generally come equipped with antennae, which picks up the signal from a nearby router. The advantage to having a wireless usb network card is apparent if you are using more than one computer in a location. It is extremely handy for office workers that need to connect to a single source for their networking. It also works well for home users who have more than one computer in the home. It allows everyone the ability to be connected to the Internet at the same time.

Of course to take advantage of this feature you need to have a broadband source for your Internet connection. This source can be a broad band modem in your home or office or it can be a unsecured network source such as Wi-Fi which is a free source to anyone near enough to pick up the signal. If you have a desktop computer, but it doesnÕt have the ability to use the usb wireless pc card then you can connect to your broadband modem through your Ethernet port and other people in the home will still be able to use the same network via their usb cards. The card could also be referred to as the usb wireless Ethernet card since it uses the Ethernet capabilities of the modem.

It should be important to note that all cards referring to use as usb cards are meant solely for the external use of the device. There are also many wireless networking adapter cards that are meant to be installed in a computer or laptop. These are internal wireless cards and will not use the term usb in their description. You can purchase external usb cards for creating a wireless connection at any electronics store. You can also find them in major department stores that also carry computers and computer accessories.

If you are someone who uses the Internet on a regular basis either for work or home, then choosing to go with a wireless card will be a great advantage for you. It offers you the flexibility to enjoy your Internet networking from wherever is most convenient to you. If you have a laptop, it makes the portability of the Internet even greater.