Fellas,
I have my first laptop and i want to make it wireless.

I dont know jack about computer things so can anyone reccommend a list of things i need to get up and running?

Prices would be nice too
Im on Virgin cable at the moment for my broad band if that makes any difference.
Thanks

When you say you want to make it wireless, you mean that the laptop does not have wireless capabilities already? Most new laptops tend to have wireless built-in.

You'll also need to get a wireless router if you dont already have one or not got one built into the modem?

[Edited on 23/3/09 by mads]

I thought pretty much all laptops were wireless these days too.

Do you have a switch anywhere on the laptop that you can see? I spent 3 hours once trying to get my broadband up and running until i noticed i had knocked the wireless switch off on the front of the laptop!!

Maybe you just need a wireless router!!

As ^^^, the vast majority of new laptops will have wifi built in, if you're sure yours doesn't then you need to get a usb (easiest method) dongle which will set you back somewhere in the region of £30.

You also need a wireless access point, such as a router, approximately £50 but prices vary widely dependent on quality.

If you have an old wired router for broadband then you can get a wireless transmitter box to plug into it (you'll find you can get the transmitter and the usb dongel as a kit which may be cheaper) or, if you can deal with the fuss, search around for a new broadband provider as most of them will give a free or reduced price router with their service and you may end up paying lower monthly bills as well as getting the equipment cheap/free. HTH,
Tom

You'll need a wireless DSL router. Basically a thing you plug into your Virgin cable modem.

Then, assuming your laptop has built in wireless, you will be able to connect to the internet via that.

If your laptop doesn't have built in wireless (look for badges on the laptop like centrino, 802.11b/g/n etc) then you'll need a USB wireless adapter too. In that case, you'd be better getting a WiFi Kit that includes a router and compatible USB adapter.

Have a look at some examples here

You'll see some with USB adapters.

Whatever you do, make SURE that your router is a DSL/Cable router and NOT ADSL. The latter is for ADSL connections (via BT etc) and has built in ADSL modem.

If you want to buy a router and your laptop already has WiFi, you'll need to find what it's got. It'll most likely be "G" compatible, so you need to get a router that supports the same. As a quick rundown: -

802.11B is old wifi. Your card will probably support it, but it's poo slow.
802.11G is quick enough for most things. This is most likely what you will have, if anything.
802.11N is the newest and quickest. Your laptop probably hasn't got this, but if it has, get an "N" compatible router.

Can't easily make it less techy than that. Your best bet would probably be to get to PC World and be sure. Yes it'll be more expensive, but you'll get a spotty oik to confirm what will work with whatever laptop you have

D-Link, Linksys, Belkin, Buffalo etc are all names which you shouldn't be able to go far wrong with.

All of the above suggestions and comments are fine but they all involve spending more money.

I would suggest if you have been with Virgin/NTL for more than a year you call them up and enquire about how you go about canceling your Broadband with them. The will ask why you are thinking of canceling and you explain that you are going to go with BT or whoever as they are offering a free wireless modem and the costs are less and they most likely offer you a free wireless modem as well as a discount on your service. Might be worth doing a bit of research on the various BB providers so you know the prices, costs and who is actullay offering a free modem at this time before calling virgin though.

The last time I called them threatening to leave I got all the XL packages (BB/TV/Phone for £45/month) with a new wireless router thrown in.

Other option if you have a desktop plugged into the internet and a wifi laptop is to just chuck a wifi dongle in the back of that and use an ad-hoc network with internet connection sharing activated. It's what I do (cos I'm cheap!!!).... Means your desktop has to be on to use Wifi on the laptop but hey....

if you do need a wifi dongle, let me know as got one I need to offload. I bought one for my brother who then decided to change his laptop (and get one with built-in wifi).

Thanks for all the good replies guys,
It has written on the laptop
Wireless LAN b/g

Where do i find out more about what it actually has inside the machine

Start> control panel etc etc?
Thanks again

You don't need to find out what it's got inside. It has wireless, that's enough.

What you need is a wireless router box to transmit the broadband to/from your laptop. Either get one from Virgin, or buy a wireless ADSL modem router. The router connects to the internet (using your Virgin logon etc) and you (or anyone else you allow) connect wirelessly to the router.

You may also need to enable the wireless card.