PDA and Surfing the net

shack811 · #1 (**permalink**) 25-04-2005, 04:59 PM

Hello, first time poster - long time reader...

I'm about to embark on the whole new world (to me) of the wifi/bluetooth system(?).

What I want to do is...
Use my PDA around the house in the normal ways of the PC, the PC is upstairs using a 2mb broadband connection via NTL - quite powerful, but basic.

Would it be easier to buy a broadband router, or could I connect to the net via my PC via bluetooth?

The broadband routers I've seen seem simple enough - plug the BB lead into the router then into the PC, but I'm not sure if I'll need a LAN card - or is it as simple as it looks?

I'll be buying a bluetooth dongle anyway, but will I be able to use the internet via that connection?

The bottom line:
Is WiFi better than bluetooth to connect to the net a broadband?
Will I need a LAN card for the PC?
Can I get away with just bluetooth?

Your help is very much appreciated.

**Charlie** · #2 (**permalink**) 27-04-2005, 12:36 PM

Welcome to our forums.
Wifi is better for the application your looking at as BT will only offer around 10m coverage.
If you get a router then you'll need a LAN card for your PC to hook it up.
You can get away with just BT if you only want to wirelessly surf the web from within 10M of your PC.

niamh · #3 (**permalink**) 29-04-2005, 05:44 PM

I recently upgraded my pda to a model with both wifi and bluetooth access. I already have a wireless lan at home and would definitely recommend it. For example, today has been beautifully sunny and I've been sitting outside in my garden, connecting to the internet via the wireless lan. I'm pretty sure bluetooth would have difficulty reaching this far. Wifi is also more versatile - if you've got a laptop for work, you may also be able to use wifi to connect to your business vpn at Broadband speeds.

Some wireless routers come with an ethernet link. You should be able to connect this directly to your main pc, ruling out the need for an additional LAN card (you won't need to keep the pc on in order to access the internet from your pda).

You do need to read all the security stuff that comes with the router....you can set it up so hat it wil only recognise your own devices.

shack811 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-05-2005, 02:13 PM

Ok, thanks.

I have at the moment a PDA (h2210) which I think will need a CF WiFi card? to connect to a BB router.

The PC is basic, no ethernet or LAN card, I've heard of a USB WiFi Dongle which can go into the PC to make it wireless?

I'm struggling to get my head around this.

What would the best way (WiFi or BT) and what would I need to add to my PC and PDA for me to use the PDA around the house, to surf the net and get my emails?

Forgive me for being naive to this, but I can't get a straight answer from anyone I know or people in PC world!

Spec:
PC - plain and boring, no ethernet or LAN cards - NTL Broadband 2mb
PDA - h2210 Bluetooth with WiFi CF card slot.

Many thanks in advance.

**Charlie** · #5 (**permalink**) 03-05-2005, 04:17 PM

Do you have a broadband router?

shack811 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-05-2005, 09:23 AM

No, I don't...

**Charlie** · #7 (**permalink**) 04-05-2005, 11:33 AM

Then you need to decide what type you are going to buy before you think about what else to get. If you get a Wifi only broadband router then you'll need a Wifi card for your PC and for your PDA. If you get a broadband router which is Wifi and wired then you can get a LAN card for your PC and a Wifi card for your PDA.

shack811 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-05-2005, 01:51 PM

Thanks for that.

I'm going down the route of buying a BB router, having a LAN card for the PC and buying a WiFi card for the PDA.

Do you have any suggestions on make for the CF WiFi card - I have a h2210.

**Charlie** · #9 (**permalink**) 04-05-2005, 06:26 PM

Not particularly, just browse around and check out reviews for the products you are interested in to see what other people think of them first.