Significance

• Moving to wireless technology freed the computer from having cables spread out all around a home or business. While many peripherals still need cables, connecting a wireless router to a modem in one location in a house, for example, allows network and Internet access to most rooms in the house and even out to the lawn or backyard. Using Wi-Fi cards in desktop and laptop computers makes it easier for everyone to be online.
  
  

History

• The word Wi-Fi is a variation on original sound systems in the 1950s and 1960s where Hi-Fi stood for high fidelity. Wi-Fi, however, does not stand for wireless fidelity, even this appeared in some early advertisements for the system. It's actually a trademark name. The Wi-Fi card is based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) technology created originally as the 802.11a system. When it first came to consumers in the 1990s, it was a slimmed down version that didn't have the range or speed of the original. The first consumer version was the 802.11b. This was upgraded to the 802.11g standard that most people use now. Apple Computer started using the faster 802.11n protocol with the introduction of the iPhone in 2007. Apple since has switched most of its wireless networking devices to this standard.
  
  

Types

• Wi-Fi cards come in several varieties. The first is the standard Peripheral Component Interconnect card for desktop Windows-based computers. This is attached to the inside of the computer in a PCI slot. It sticks out the back of the computer with an antenna attached and usually some indicator lights. Software creates the interface with the computer. These generally are optional on lower-priced desktop computers, but are relatively easy to install.
  
  

Identification

• Wi-Fi cards also can be small Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices that simply plug in a USB port. These are inexpensive and can be used with a variety of desktop and laptop computers. Most Windows-based computers need software to run them while Macs generally just work when you plug in the card.
  
  

Considerations

• Most Macintosh desktop and laptop computers come with built-in wireless cards. Many Windows laptops also have Wi-Fi cards built-in. This saves the hassle of installing them. Many laptops of both varieties also can use PCMCIA (PC) card that plug into the PC card slot. When using such cards on older laptops, it's important to check that they work because often PC card architecture is different on each brand of card and may not work with all laptops.