The unwired studentIf you're going off to college, access to your campus network and the Internet is obviously important; it's your lifeline to essentials such as your campus e-mail account, the Web, and of course, university resources (discussion boards, class selection, and so on). The question is how you'll access it.
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 BEST IN CLASS Linksys WPC55AG wireless card |
 HEAD TURNER Linksys WRT55AG Wireless A+G broadband router |
 STARVING STUDENT Buffalo AirStation 54Mbps wireless card |
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Gone are the days of having to rely on computer terminals available only in public areas. Most colleges now offer wired dorms that let you plug in your personal computer straight from your desk. But a growing number of schools are getting into the wireless game. Some colleges have gone completely wireless, planting 802.11b antennas and routers nearly everywhere and encouraging students to migrate to laptops so they'll gain untethered access anywhere--from classrooms, from dorms, and even from the campus green. Other schools are taking a more measured approach, first adding wireless capabilities to campus networks in high-traffic areas such as the student union or the library.
Since you've probably mastered the basic wired method, which generally means simply buying a machine equipped with an Ethernet port, you're now ready to cut the wires. But that can mean radically different things depending on whether you have a desktop or a notebook.
Meet the standards
Let's start with the standards, beginning with the most basic of all: Wi-Fi, or 802.11b. Wi-Fi promises its user access from a fairly long range of 100 feet indoors and decent speeds at as much as 5Mbps (megabits per second). When speed matters more than range, 802.11a is your best bet: it delivers as much as six times the speed of 802.11b. And then there's the newcomer--the recently approved 802.11g standard--which, at its best, can give you both the range of 802.11b and the speed of 802.11a. And the g standard claims to be backward compatible with all 802.11b products.
So, you're thinking 802.11g is definitely the way to go, right? Not necessarily. While many hardware manufacturers are coming out with 802.11g products, this standard is still very new, and you may need to upgrade the firmware on any device that shipped before it was ratified in order to comply with the new standard. Plus, 802.11g products will likely be the most expensive of the three. To be safe, read reviews ahead of time and make sure you're getting an 802.11g product that truly performs--and there are quite a few. No one wants to get stuck with a notebook card that won't work well with a campus's Wi-Fi network.
Wireless on the go
In the wireless world, the notebook is the way to fly. Many notebooks come already equipped with some kind of wireless connectivity, especially those built with Intel's Centrino technology. Centrino notebooks include Intel's energy-efficient yet fast Pentium M chip, a new high-speed chipset, and a Wi-Fi radio. Plus, a few of Apple's new PowerBooks come with 802.11g on board. But it's just as easy to add wireless to any notebook with a PC Card slot; just buy a wireless PC Card of the standard you like and plug it in. The card's configuration utility should help you get set up once the card is installed, but check with your school to make sure you have the IT staff's recommendations for getting on the school network properly.
A handful of handhelds are also Wi-Fi ready, and several give you the option to add on wireless. And you're not limited by a platform here; there are quality, connected handhelds for both Palm and Pocket PC. But if you really want an easy wireless handheld option, check out the latest PDAs equipped with Microsoft's new Pocket PC 2003 OS (also known as Windows Mobile), which claims Zero Configuration. That means the PDA will automatically detect networks, tell you they're there, and let you quickly choose to connect. The OS even simplifies configuration with its Connection Manager.
Share the wealth
If you're a desktop user, you're pretty tied down to a space as it is, so you can't roam the wireless world the same way. But for campuses with wide-scale Wi-Fi, you can hook in a wireless NIC or a USB-based wireless adapter to get onto the network even if your computer isn't near the network wall port. Plus, off-campus residents can pay for a single high-speed connection, share it with other roommates using wireless, and split the cost. Just connect your high-speed modem to a wireless router and make sure everyone in the house has a wireless card or adapter for his or her notebook or PC. Configure everyone to the same network, and you're all set.
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 Linksys WPC55AG wireless card 
Why it matters: A wireless access card for 802.11 a, b, and g networks. How it'll help you graduate: Need wireless access wherever you are, on campus or off? The Linksys WPC55AG is built for those who need to jump between wireless networks, including hot spots and college wireless networks. If there's a signal, the WPC55AG dual-band Wireless A+G notebook adapter will lock onto it.  Read review
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 Linksys WRT55AG Wireless A+G broadband router
Why it matters: A wireless router that's as versatile as it is speedy and safe. How it'll help you graduate: In that first off-campus apartment, setting up a wireless network will let all your roommates share one broadband connection--and save everyone a little cash. This Linksys router is easy to set up, offers excellent speed and range, and supports three different flavors of 802.11 clients. Read review
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 Buffalo AirStation 54Mbps wireless
Why it matters: A low-cost wireless card that boasts great performance. How it'll help you graduate: Even if you blew your money on a hot-rod notebook, this easy-to-install Buffalo wireless card will add 802.11g quickly and inexpensively; it's priced, in some cases, at less than $50. Read review
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