What is the best wireless card to get for my desktop, the best range?

I would like to connect to my cousins wireless network a few houses down. They have a faster connection than i do and we can transfer files faster. What is the best wireless card to get for my Dell XPS 420. I need a card with the best wireless range. I know N networks are good but if i buy a N card does it only work with an N network?

Public Comments

1. The odds are no matter what card you have, it won't pick up your cousin's network. Even 'N' networks can at BEST reach 300 feet. Unfortunately, 'a few houses' is probably more than 300'. And an 'N' card will run faster & farther on an 'N' network. On a 'b' or 'g', it will run slower and less far.
2. first its the signal you get Their router should be high and uncluttered Make sure that the channel is not the same as neighbors - otherwise you will get a signal but no internet (Routers are set to channel 6 as default) try channels 1 and 11 as first picks on the router Make sure as well that the ssid on the router is not set to defaults - say the ssid dlink or linksys as most common / popular In terms of reception - first of all speed drops greatly with distance After about 30 feet g drops like a stone I do not know about n its really not n - but "pre-n" if your read the box Hence a n card from another brand may not work at n n gets g,b and n The aerials in the laptop are often quite good - if you get a pcmia credit card wireless network adapter it will be nowhere as good as the antenna in your lid You will most likely try with g you may want to set the router to transmit g only ( not mixed) Some people get better reception that way You may have to move your laptop over even a foot from time to time Here is an external antenna that works with off the shelf components ( inexpensive) http://www.usbwifi.orconhosting.net.nz/ turn off the windows wireless utility and use the utility that comes with the usb wireless adapter just the generic wireless usb adapter not the dlink or linksys - they are nowhere as good the windows wireless utility will not know what to do with the signal - low power but high bounceback effectiveness or you can build this antenna http://www.dailywireless.org/2005/07/31/new-wifi-record-125-miles/ http://www.tc.umn.edu/~hick0088/images/blog/big-dish-trailer.jpg have fun
3. N by far has the best range. USB is the simplest to install. I recommend people go wireless only for devices like ipods, iphones, and PDAs. Most people use these devices for roaming. Some laptops users need the freedom for roaming, so I am going to say 25% of laptops need wireless. You do not have to run cables across your floor to get ethernet. There is something called ethernet over powerline, and the technology works really well. I recommend it for desktops, most laptops, and gaming consoles. Check out these links: http://www.cnet.com/4520-7390_1-6274537-3.html?tag=tab http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=powerline&x=0&y=0 http://youtube.com/watch?v=QhL2FtQF2rk