USB wireless adapter - does it need an external power source

I am trying to understand if I can plug in a USB wireless adpater
(such as gigafast http://www.pcclub.com/product_detail...temno=A5303482)
into my Dell laptop and can take it outside
The adapter gets connected to the laptop using the USB cable - does it
also need power?
Are there any issues vis-a-vis PCMCIA card.
One advantage of USB seems to be that I can use it with a desktop if I
stop using my laptop.
Thanks for any help

2pac wrote:
> I am trying to understand if I can plug in a USB wireless adpater
> (such as gigafast http://www.pcclub.com/product_detail...temno=A5303482)
> into my Dell laptop and can take it outside
> The adapter gets connected to the laptop using the USB cable - does it
> also need power?
> Are there any issues vis-a-vis PCMCIA card.
> One advantage of USB seems to be that I can use it with a desktop if I
> stop using my laptop.
> Thanks for any help

If your laptop meets the usb standard
and your wireless adapter meets the standard.
And you're not using a usb hub,
you should be fine.

The disadvantage is that you've got this wart hanging on the end of
a long cable hooked to a plug that you will bust off if you're not
careful. Plug an external mouse into your laptop and carry it around
for a while. The first time you snag the cable on a doorknob and the
mouse goes slamming to the ground, or worse yet, your laptop, I think
you'll opt for the PC card.

The advantage is that you can place it high if you need the range.
mike

--
Bunch of stuff For Sale and Wanted at the link below.
laptops and parts Test Equipment
4in/400Wout ham linear amp.
Honda CB-125S
400cc Dirt Bike 2003 miles $550
Police Scanner, Color LCD overhead projector
Tek 2465 $800, ham radio, 30pS pulser
Tektronix Concept Books, spot welding head...
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/4710/

In message <(E-Mail Removed) >, 2pac
<(E-Mail Removed)> writes
>I am trying to understand if I can plug in a USB wireless adpater
>(such as gigafast http://www.pcclub.com/product_detail...temno=A5303482)
>into my Dell laptop and can take it outside
>The adapter gets connected to the laptop using the USB cable - does it
>also need power?

No. The only problem you *might* have is if you use it via an UNPOWERED
hub. Powered hubs are OK.

>Are there any issues vis-a-vis PCMCIA card.

None. In fact sometimes quite the reverse.

>One advantage of USB seems to be that I can use it with a desktop if I
>stop using my laptop.

A lot of folk feel that hanging anything off their laptop is punishable
by death. However the WUSB11 that I use has the following advantages
over all three of the PCMIA cards I tried before (I had been very
disappointed the ranges and speeds obtained with these).

1. Because it has a *real* vertically polarised aerial, I've got
substantially better ranges/speeds.

2. The unit (with integral aerial) can be positioned (if necessary)
to get reliable communication in difficult environments.

3. Its small, light and inconspicuous.

4. If you need *really* extended ranges and/or directivity you can
use it with a relatively small parabolic reflector.

--
Tony Morgan
Smile in the face of adversity - and adversity will probably
think you're taking the piss and kick the shit out of you.

Wow they look groovie.
I havn't seen any external wifi gear that needs external power. Most if not
all take there power from the usb port.

"2pac" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> I am trying to understand if I can plug in a USB wireless adpater
> (such as gigafast
http://www.pcclub.com/product_detail...temno=A5303482)
> into my Dell laptop and can take it outside
> The adapter gets connected to the laptop using the USB cable - does it
> also need power?
> Are there any issues vis-a-vis PCMCIA card.
> One advantage of USB seems to be that I can use it with a desktop if I
> stop using my laptop.
> Thanks for any help

If you grab one of those little things i would like to know if it has ne way
of attaching an external antenna. Placing one of those inside an antenna
would make things alot more cost effective

"2pac" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> I am trying to understand if I can plug in a USB wireless adpater
> (such as gigafast
http://www.pcclub.com/product_detail...temno=A5303482)
> into my Dell laptop and can take it outside
> The adapter gets connected to the laptop using the USB cable - does it
> also need power?
> Are there any issues vis-a-vis PCMCIA card.
> One advantage of USB seems to be that I can use it with a desktop if I
> stop using my laptop.
> Thanks for any help

In message <bkhcen$1cbo$(E-Mail Removed)>, Wepless
<(E-Mail Removed)> writes
>If you grab one of those little things i would like to know if it has
>ne way of attaching an external antenna. Placing one of those inside an
>antenna would make things alot more cost effective

http://www.nodomainname.co.uk/MA101/MA101.htm

Using the Linksys WUSB11 the procedure is virtually the same.
--
Tony Morgan
Smile in the face of adversity - and adversity will probably
think you're taking the piss and kick the shit out of you.

Hawking Technologies has a USB wireless card combined with a small
panel antenna,

Mike Gallo

On Sat, 20 Sep 2003 21:37:07 +1000, "Wepless" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>If you grab one of those little things i would like to know if it has ne way
>of attaching an external antenna. Placing one of those inside an antenna
>would make things alot more cost effective
>
>"2pac" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed). com...
>> I am trying to understand if I can plug in a USB wireless adpater
>> (such as gigafast
>http://www.pcclub.com/product_detail...temno=A5303482)
>> into my Dell laptop and can take it outside
>> The adapter gets connected to the laptop using the USB cable - does it
>> also need power?
>> Are there any issues vis-a-vis PCMCIA card.
>> One advantage of USB seems to be that I can use it with a desktop if I
>> stop using my laptop.
>> Thanks for any help
>