I'm buying a laptop tomorrow... (not for me, for my Mum, who for some reason thinks I'm some sort of computer genius):rolleyes:

This is the one I'm getting .. the basic Dell 1525 (http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b=&c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&kc=NRS15251&l=en&oc=N0552501&rbc=N0552501&s=dhs)(with a couple of minor additions)..

Q1... I don't understand wifi etc one iota.... I want to get rid of the cable from the telephone socket to the computer for her. (currently, the cable runs across the floor to the BT router, then obviously into the back of the base unit).

Looking at the site, [add-ons for the laptop], there are a few things regarding wifi. What do I need to select? And will anything I add remove the need for the router(I think its a BT voyager, same as mine) to be dragged around with the laptop? (told you I really have no idea:hihi:)

Q2... I've forgotten :hihi:, I'll add it later.

Any help would be muchly appreciated.

Thanks in adwance.;)

Ah parents.. they all seem to think that their offspring can work nuclear power stations, submarines, spaceships... They should try a laptop ;-)

Looking at the spec of the laptop, it appears that it comes reasy with a wifi card (you can see this in one of the options). But it has to connect to a wireless router, which you don't appear have.

So as far as I can see the laptop is all fine and Dandy and raring to go, its whether the router of yours is wireless, and if not you'll have to get one seperately. As it is connected to the existing computer via a cable I think not.

Ah parents.. they all seem to think that their offspring can work nuclear power stations, submarines, spaceships... They should try a laptop ;-)

Looking at the spec of the laptop, it appears that it comes reasy with a wifi card (you can see this in one of the options). But it has to connect to a wireless router, which you don't appear have.

So as far as I can see the laptop is all fine and Dandy and raring to go, its whether the router of yours is wireless, and if not you'll have to get one seperately. As it is connected to the existing computer via a cable I think not.
My bold :hihi: Absolutely.

So it has a wifi card? So what else do I need to purchase?

Do I have to ask BT for anything? (hopefully not:hihi:), do I need to buy something that connects with the wifi card then yeah?

I had a rummage through the extras, and it says it has the card as standard, so that's cool!

I used to have a BT Voyager 105 cable modem, and wanted wireless, so contacted AOL (my isp) and they offered us a a deal and gave us a free wireless NetGear router. You have to configure it via a cable, but once in, it connects to my computer without a hitch (which has a wireless card)

You can buy these routers after market of course, but always worth contacting your ISP, and seeing what deals they have! Mention you have seen cheap broadband with free routers elsehwre and that usually does the trick!

I aint an expert, I ams ure someone can explain this better!!!

I had a rummage through the extras, and it says it has the card as standard, so that's cool!

I used to have a BT Voyager 105 cable modem, and wanted wireless, so contacted AOL (my isp) and they offered us a a deal and gave us a free wireless NetGear router. You have to configure it via a cable, but once in, it connects to my computer without a hitch (which has a wireless card)

You can buy these routers after market of course, but always worth contacting your ISP, and seeing what deals they have! Mention you have seen cheap broadband with free routers elsehwre and that usually does the trick!

I aint an expert, I am sure someone can explain this better!!!

2nd bold: Perhaps, but I do appreciate your time looking into it for me.

1st bold: hmmm. this means I need to talk to BT, I still haven't got through to them to mention that they aren't implementing the offer that I sorted for her[Mum]:rolleyes:

Are you saying (or anyone else in the morning, who I will also read before buying), that I can buy a router that isn't from BT, and it will work too?

As long as the router is compatible with the card in the laptop, then it should work just fine. I see in the list of add ons that Dell offer a wireless router, but not sure how good value they are. But you would assume that they would work with the hardware they install on their computers.

My desktop was bought from Dell, and was great value, very quick delivery, good customer service (which I have only used once, but almost instant reply) and am very happy overall.

Our landline is with BT... now their customer service is a different kettle of fish...

Any wifi router will be fine. They all work to the same networking standards, so will happily work with any OS (Windows, Mac OSX, Linux etc) and any wireless cards.

Try a model from Netgear, D-Link, Belkin, Linksys etc

As long as the router is compatible with the card in the laptop, then it should work just fine. I see in the list of add ons that Dell offer a wireless router, but not sure how good value they are. But you would assume that they would work with the hardware they install on their computers.

My desktop was bought from Dell, and was great value, very quick delivery, good customer service (which I have only used once, but almost instant reply) and am very happy overall.

Our landline is with BT... now their customer service is a different kettle of fish...
Ah I missed that, I'll check it out tomorrow (today, but later)


I agree, I've been extremely happy with my Dell, no probs whatsoever, so want to stick to them.

(I can get through to them, unlike BT, but unfortunately, being a little hard of hearing, I can't understand a bloody word of their call centre staff :hihi:)

Thanks again SS

Any wifi router will be fine. They all work to the same networking standards, so will happily work with any OS (Windows, Mac OSX, Linux etc) and any wireless cards.

Try a model from Netgear, D-Link, Belkin, Linksys etc

Cheers OB, now I feel a bit more savvy on the subject, I'll check out the additions with a bit more knowledge. :)

Actually I should clarify a little - any wifi router that includes an ADSL modem (the vast majority of them) will be fine. There's a few that don't have the modem inside them because they're designed to work with cable broadband.

Actually I should clarify a little - any wifi router that includes an ADSL modem (the vast majority of them) will be fine. There's a few that don't have the modem inside them because they're designed to work with cable broadband.

I reckon that if I take SS advice, and order it from Dell, it should be compatible. Will see. I'm off now, and will have to post from her house tomorrow should there be anymore responses. (which will all be greatly received of course:)).

Thanks again for your time OB and SS as I find these threads tiresome and boring. (but sometimes necessary:))