The Dell Truemobile 5100 Tri-band GPRS PC card is self-contained. The card plugs into one of the PCMCIA card slots in the laptop. It's illustrated in the links found in the article you cited. You'll need to sign up with one of the providers, as well as purchase the card. You don't need a cell phone with Internet access, as the GPRS services are sold separately.
Does it use 802.11 a, b, or g, or is GPRS a whole different idea? Also, here's a quote from the same page:
With a Dell Latitude™ or Inspiron™ notebook computer equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11, adding the Dell TrueMobile™ 5100 GPRS PC Card can provide a comprehensive wireless connectivity solution - providing plenty of ways to stay productive while on the road!
Does that imply that the card is useless by itself and only works with an existing networking card? Or is this PC Card and the Networking card two seperate entities, and the quote is irrelevant?
If they're
not seperate entities, and they work
with each other, then does the network card type (a/b/g) have an effect on what type (a/b/g) the card I'm planning to purchase uses? For example, if the networking card is G, then the GPRS card will be G?
If they
are seperate entities, then can I use the WiFi Hotspots
and T-Mobile hotspots? (Question also applies if they aren't seperate)
The card you listed is a GPRS card. It's an entirely different technology than 802.11 a/b/g. It does not require another networking card to work, but it
only works with GPRS providers like T-Mobile. GPRS has the same mobility characteristics as cellular phone service.
802.11 a/b/g cards work with wireless access points or routers on home networks, and at places that are usually described as wireless "hotspots". The range is usually limited to several hundred feet. If you're farther away from the "hotspot" than that, you'll get no signal.
802.11a is less common than 802.11 b or g. If you're aware that you'll need to connect to an 802.11a wireless network, because (for instance) your employer uses 802.11a, then you'd need an 802.11 wireless card that supports all three standards (a, b, and g). Most "hotspots" only support 802.11b, but that may change in the future.
In summary, the TM5100 GPRS card is intended to work anywhere that GPRS coverage is available from the providers (T-Mobile or AT&T). A "Wi-Fi" (802.11) card will only work within the limited range of a compatible wireless access point. If the access is publically available, like in some coffee shops, it's usually described as a "wireless hotspot". If you need both types of access, you'll need both cards.
Have I confused you even more? If I have, please post back!
No you did not! You clarified everything quite well.
Just to make sure...
Since the laptop I'm planning to buy already has a networking card (type G), and once I add the T-Mobile GPRS Card, I'll be able to use both, the T-Mobile hotspots,
and the Wireless HotSpots, correct? Is there anything more I need for the wireless networking card (Wi-Fi) to work (at least in HotSpots - I'll consider buying a router for home)?
EDIT:
I forgot to ask this: Someone has told me that type G is backwards compatible with B, so if I have a 802.11g networking card, I'll be able to use a 802.11b connection, correct?
Also, is there any good reason to purchase a networking card that also supports 802.11a? I've searched for HotSpots in my area, and I haven't seen too many 802.11a HotSpots in my area. Would purchasing an 802.11a/b/g networking card be worth it?
1. Yes, if you add a GPRS card (and service for it) to the system with a Wireless G card, you'll be able to use both 802.11 wireless and GPRS. Note that "hotspots" is a bit of a misnomer for GPRS, since the coverage areas are much larger for GPRS than for 802.11 wireless. I also should have noted that GPRS is
much slower than any of the 802.11 standards.
Aside for a router for your home cable or DSL Internet connection, you'll not need anything but an 802.11B/G card to access "Wi-Fi" hotspots. I highly recommend a router if you have cable or DSL Internet service. It adds a second layer of protection to personal firewall software running on your PC.
2. Yes, all 802.11G cards are in fact 802.11B/G.
3. If you haven't found any reason to need 802.11A, I'd get a B/G card.
jwatt
4.4K Posts
0
October 30th, 2004 18:00
The Dell Truemobile 5100 Tri-band GPRS PC card is self-contained. The card plugs into one of the PCMCIA card slots in the laptop. It's illustrated in the links found in the article you cited. You'll need to sign up with one of the providers, as well as purchase the card. You don't need a cell phone with Internet access, as the GPRS services are sold separately.
Jim
LPD3D
7 Posts
0
October 30th, 2004 19:00
LPD3D
7 Posts
0
October 30th, 2004 22:00
I'm planning to purchase this card:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/ProductDetail.aspx?TabPage=overview&sku=430-0750&c=us&l=en&cs=19&page=external
Does it use 802.11 a, b, or g, or is GPRS a whole different idea? Also, here's a quote from the same page:
Does that imply that the card is useless by itself and only works with an existing networking card? Or is this PC Card and the Networking card two seperate entities, and the quote is irrelevant?
If they're not seperate entities, and they work with each other, then does the network card type (a/b/g) have an effect on what type (a/b/g) the card I'm planning to purchase uses? For example, if the networking card is G, then the GPRS card will be G?
If they are seperate entities, then can I use the WiFi Hotspots and T-Mobile hotspots? (Question also applies if they aren't seperate)
Message Edited by LPD3D on 10-30-2004 06:16 PM
jwatt
4.4K Posts
0
October 31st, 2004 03:00
The card you listed is a GPRS card. It's an entirely different technology than 802.11 a/b/g. It does not require another networking card to work, but it only works with GPRS providers like T-Mobile. GPRS has the same mobility characteristics as cellular phone service.
802.11 a/b/g cards work with wireless access points or routers on home networks, and at places that are usually described as wireless "hotspots". The range is usually limited to several hundred feet. If you're farther away from the "hotspot" than that, you'll get no signal.
802.11a is less common than 802.11 b or g. If you're aware that you'll need to connect to an 802.11a wireless network, because (for instance) your employer uses 802.11a, then you'd need an 802.11 wireless card that supports all three standards (a, b, and g). Most "hotspots" only support 802.11b, but that may change in the future.
In summary, the TM5100 GPRS card is intended to work anywhere that GPRS coverage is available from the providers (T-Mobile or AT&T). A "Wi-Fi" (802.11) card will only work within the limited range of a compatible wireless access point. If the access is publically available, like in some coffee shops, it's usually described as a "wireless hotspot". If you need both types of access, you'll need both cards.
Have I confused you even more? If I have, please post back!
Jim
Message Edited by jimw on 10-30-2004 11:00 PM
LPD3D
7 Posts
0
October 31st, 2004 14:00
Just to make sure...
Since the laptop I'm planning to buy already has a networking card (type G), and once I add the T-Mobile GPRS Card, I'll be able to use both, the T-Mobile hotspots, and the Wireless HotSpots, correct? Is there anything more I need for the wireless networking card (Wi-Fi) to work (at least in HotSpots - I'll consider buying a router for home)?
EDIT:
I forgot to ask this: Someone has told me that type G is backwards compatible with B, so if I have a 802.11g networking card, I'll be able to use a 802.11b connection, correct?
Also, is there any good reason to purchase a networking card that also supports 802.11a? I've searched for HotSpots in my area, and I haven't seen too many 802.11a HotSpots in my area. Would purchasing an 802.11a/b/g networking card be worth it?
Message Edited by LPD3D on 10-31-2004 10:34 AM
jwatt
4.4K Posts
0
October 31st, 2004 14:00
1. Yes, if you add a GPRS card (and service for it) to the system with a Wireless G card, you'll be able to use both 802.11 wireless and GPRS. Note that "hotspots" is a bit of a misnomer for GPRS, since the coverage areas are much larger for GPRS than for 802.11 wireless. I also should have noted that GPRS is much slower than any of the 802.11 standards.
Aside for a router for your home cable or DSL Internet connection, you'll not need anything but an 802.11B/G card to access "Wi-Fi" hotspots. I highly recommend a router if you have cable or DSL Internet service. It adds a second layer of protection to personal firewall software running on your PC.
2. Yes, all 802.11G cards are in fact 802.11B/G.
3. If you haven't found any reason to need 802.11A, I'd get a B/G card.
Jim
jwatt
4.4K Posts
0
October 31st, 2004 19:00
You're welcome! You know what to do if you have more! :smileyvery-happy:
Jim
LPD3D
7 Posts
0
October 31st, 2004 19:00