Wireless adaptor for desktop PC / Hub

[Paddy]

I need to purchase a Wireless adaptor for my desktop PC so that my PDA can connect to it. I am not looking to spend too much money on it

Are there any differences between models except for range/bandwith?

Could anyone recommend a model?

[MultimediaMan]

The Linksys Models I've had good luck with The 2.4 GHz versions are very good, but from what I am told, what is permitted here in the U.S. may not be permited in Great Britain.

There is a brand new version of their wireless AP called the WAP51AB: it is dual frequency (2.4GHz and 5GHz), THIS is the one to get, as it protects your network by requiring authentication and covers all of the commonly available Wireless devices out there.

I have lots of experience with 2.4 GHz Cisco APs and, unfortunately, cannot recommend them just yet; but these are out of most people's reach anyway.

[Paddy]

Cheers MMM.

I am trying to decide whether to get a bluetooth or wireless PDA.
I was looking at the adaptors to see if that would have an impact on my decision.
Given the considerably shortened battery life of PDA's with wireless, i am opting for bluetooth.

It's a shame, as the adaptors seem much more expensive

[MultimediaMan]

Bluetooth (for better or worse) is the defacto standard. The new is never cheap, unfortunately.

[Paddy]

I noticed that you have a PDA.

Do you use SD? If you do, how does it compare to CF for storage? I am trying to get away from buying a sleeve for the brick!

[Paddy]

oops, my mistake! I was thinking of Reverend Maynard!

[MultimediaMan]

Sorry, Mate..no PDA yet. I came perilously close to getting one last month, though.

For me, they need to be smaller yet.

[Paddy]

Smaller than the e740!!!!

[SteveC]

Couple of months ago PCWorld had all their SMC wireless LAN stuff real cheap (under £50). Might be worth checking them out.

[Wombat]

Bluetooth is still pretty nasty. If you look around, you'll find a number of reviews where people just couldn't get stuff to work together like it was supposed to. Apparently there's enough wiggle room in the implementations that getting 2 different brands to work together is about nil.

[Paddy]

hmm... at the moment, all i would want it to do is synchronise with my PC. In that respect Wireless would be better, if it were not for the appalling power consumption.

I am really having difficulty deciding which way to turn.

[Paddy]

I have decided on the iPAQ 3970 even though it is Bluetooth.
So I will now need to buy an adaptor for my desktop PC.

Wombat: If there are problems with the hardware, could you recommend an adaptor that seems to work?

[Wombat]

You'll probably be fine with the PC sync. But if you're counting on Bluetooth to use your PDA to dial your cell phone for you, or print directly to the printer a few feet away, it's unlikely to work.

I'd still get a Wi-Fi card. They make PDAs much more useful, especially if you have a wide LAN at work to toy with.

Once I have a little more job security and money, I want to get a PDA with wireless, and use it as an uber-remote to control an MP3 server connected to my stereo. I'd like to have it now, but at least I know the longer I wait, the cheaper it will be to do.

[Paddy]

hehe the NAVO software built in the H3970 will help with that 'uber-remote'.

I bought the iPAQ on the condition that if it was not compatible with the bluetooth chip in my PC (which i have not yet bought), then I could take it back. They gave me 28days, which was nice