How do Wireless Laptops Work?

Wireless laptop computers are the hottest selling products considering the fact the Netbooks and mini notebook computers are the top sellers for the past two years. Almost all new portable computers sold today have built in wireless capability. A frequently asked question from new users is "how do wireless laptops work"? The simplest way to understand how wireless laptops work is to compare their operation to the common cordless telephone used in most homes. Wireless laptop computers work as radio receivers and transmitters, transmitting RF (Radio Frequency) waves through the air, just as a portable telephone does. As an example when you go to a cafe, airport, or anywhere else that has a Wi-Fi hotpot your laptop communicates with a transmitter/ receiver much the way a two way radio would. Wireless signals are in the 2.4Ghz radio spectrum which means that the distance they can travel is limited to approximately 120 feet indoors and a little farther in the outdoors. The antenna for the "transmitter and receiver" is in the wireless laptop computers case or in some instances on the PCMCIA card or USB adapter inserted in the laptop, if the laptop is older and doesn't have built in wireless capability. Radio transmission in the 2.4Ghz range is "line of sight" and doesn't penetrate metal walls etc. You can use wireless laptop computers between rooms where you have a wireless router connected to a PC which is connected to the Internet and the walls are not of metal materials. Wireless laptops are usually set up to communicate with security enabled codes between a "hotspot" or home router so that a password must be used. In many public places the "hotspot" is "open" so that anyone with a wireless laptop can access the Internet. Be aware that when you use an open 'hotspot" your communication is not secure, and could be monitored by someone else with the appropriate level of technical knowledge and monitoring software.