Wi-Fi booster for laptop

[frederick w]

Just bought a laptop with built in Wi-Fi. May
need a long range booster.

How would I hook it up? I never seen one.

I 'm not a computer geek. I hope the above
question was stated correctly.

thank You

Fred frm Pasco, Wa.

[GG1]

Try a product called Wi-Fire made by H Field Technologies, As long as there is a good signal it will pick it up to 1000 feet as long as there are no view obstructions. It plugs into the usb port and you can aim it in the direction of the antenna. Its less than $80. I used it for a few years and was very happy with its performance. Now I use a wireless hotspot from Verizon there is a monthly fee but it works wherever there is phone service and I suspend usage when I am not on the road.

[RCtime]

The n3: 802.11n Wireless-N Long Range WiFi USB for Macs & PCs

I have heard good results using this one

[two2go]

In campgrounds, you are at the mercy of whatever access point equipment and coverage they provide (often older and weak), and where you get parked. For me, a separate USB WiFi adapter that has an external antenna with 10 ft. of lead helps. I put the antenna on the roof and run the cable through the side of the slideout to the dining table. The 802.11n version equipment does have better range, but if you have 11n capability and the campground has 11b (typical), you may see a slight improvement in range, if any, and no increase in speed. Both ends have to be 11n for better performance. Also, lots of campers connecting means poor to unusable WiFi.
Due to many disappointments with campground WiFi, I mainly rely on a cellular broadband modem now.

[sadiebug]

Homemade WIFI.

[sadiebug]

OOPS!

Free Wireless Signal Booster - Home Made Boosters and Antennas that Work

Bootleg your unsepecting, unprotected neighbor.

[Firehoser75]

Quick question, do these external antenna boosters (home made or purchased) work with an IPad? Sorry if the question seems basic, but I don't own an IPad yet, but I am on the wait list now to get one. I am buying the one with 3G and WiFi. Also, is there a 3G provider that you can get on a "pay as you go" basis (for US western states at least)?

Thanks for the advise,
T

[two2go]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firehoser75 Quick question, do these external antenna boosters (home made or purchased) work with an IPad? Sorry if the question seems basic, but I don't own an IPad yet, but I am on the wait list now to get one. I am buying the one with 3G and WiFi. Also, is there a 3G provider that you can get on a "pay as you go" basis (for US western states at least)? Thanks for the advise, T

Wired boosters use a USB plug or a specific antenna connector to a computer. Ipads have no connection ports except the Apple power port and audio jack. You might consider a WiFi wireless booster/repeater. 3g ipads are tethered to either ATT or Verizon AFAIK. You would have to talk to them to see about a no-contract plan.

[Dave and Jaime]

Quote:

Originally Posted by two2go Wired boosters use a USB plug or a specific antenna connector to a computer. Ipads have no connection ports except the Apple power port and audio jack. You might consider a WiFi wireless booster/repeater. 3g ipads are tethered to either ATT or Verizon AFAIK. You would have to talk to them to see about a no-contract plan.

Don't own an ipad but I believe this post is correct -- no simple way to connect a standard wifi booster because of the lack of a standard USB port. Some are reporting that the ipad camera kit, which is designed to interface with a camera's USB, will actually work with SOME, but not all, USB devices but that seems like a gamble. Plus you'd have to buy the camera kit. Too bad Apple refuses to participate in industry standard connections for peripherals, like USB. Of course, that allows them to overcharge their customers for everything from chargers, to external drives, external speakers, headphones, etc.

[pdq_bc]

Hi Fred

i must declare; not able to speak "tech" with limited understanding....
(there; disclaimer has been stated)

had been looking for something that could 'boost' the wifi signal when we are a park that has weak or very limited/non-functional wifi signal - AND - wanted something 'simple'

recently purchased a "wifi range extender" (that's what was printed on the box); NetGear WN2000RPT
well in did 'boost' the signal at the rv park we were at; for both the laptop and the ipad

regards, pdq

[djpotts50]

We use the NextG USB-Yagi TurboTenna 802.11n WiFi Antenna for long range WiFi for our laptops.

[two2go]

The main thing to understand with most of these external solutions is that you are implementing a separate WiFi connection in your computer over and above the built-in WiFi hardware. Also, you usually need to install a driver that specifically supports the new receiver hardware (Windows and Mac systems).
As long as you realize the distinction between the different network instances running on your computer, you should be OK. I use a Hawking USB external adapter with a remote antenna. I usually disable the my Dell built-in wireless network instance so as not to have issues with applications accessing the internet connection.
I have also found that Linux works well with many of the external adapters. They often use common comm chips for which Linux has built-in or available drivers.