How do laptop computers connect to the Internet?
The chains of wired oppression are broken. The world has gone mobile. Armed with a laptop computer in range of a wireless network, Internet junkies can get their fix from virtually anywhere.ModemsLaptop PCs (or notebooks) are compact versions of a desktop computer. They have built-in modems that allow them to connect to the Internet.Wireless NetworksPeople can connect their laptops to the Internet through a phone line. However, it is becoming increasingly more common to use a wireless network (or Wi-Fi) for Internet access.Access PointsSeveral types of wireless networks meet the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, but they all start with an access point (AP). An AP consists of a radio transmitter and receiver, and some have Ethernet jacks to connect to the Internet via cable.Probing LaptopsLaptops have a transmitter and receiver on the same AP bandwidth. The laptop sends a probe to the AP through built-in radio components, a PC card, or a USB anten
