How does PC broadband build in or a PC wireless card compare with high speed cable broadband?

I am going to buy a new laptop and travel. It has been suggested that I get broadband built in and connect with a wireless phone company for access or purchase wireless pc card.

Public Comments

1. no... they're telling you to get wireless capabilities built into the laptop... its the same as having a PC wireless card that access your wireless network... either way you will still have to have your cable internet access to be able to access the internet... its just a matter of having to be hooked up to a cable, or going wireless around the house.
2. Well you can use a wireless card with cable broadband. You can also use wireless when traveling. Many hotels these days supply wireless connections. Just think of the wireless connector as a replacement for Ethernet. If one isn't available you can use the other. Wired speed will always beet wireless in this day and age. That may not always be the case but with todays systems that is the case. Broadband is built into any laptop.. wireless may or may not be! Broadband simply means a high speed internet connection it does not describe how you connect (wired or wireless). Example DSL, CABLE, T1 are all broadband and any of them can become wireless with the addition of a wireless router or access point.
3. I just recently bought a laptop for school on the go, back in college and doing the grown up life too. The one I bought came with a built in wireless card ( this means the computer still has open slots for future add ons). There is also a ethernet port. Bring along the short ethernet cable for hotels with no WiFi. The one I purchased is an Acer 5100-3949. It ran about $650 at Curcuit City in Feb 2007. Some of the specs are as follows: CPU 2GHz RAM 1 GB HD 80GB DVD burner Good luck.
4. If I understand correctly, what you are looking for is mobile broadband, meaning that your PC establishes a data connection to the internet wirelessly through your mobile operator. Clearly this is an extremely flexible solution, giving you internet access from anywhere at anytime (at least within your mobile's operator coverage). However this will be a lot slower, and a lot more expensive than your cable broadband (freedom has its price). If you absolutely need this for professional purposes, do it. If not, don't.
5. Most Wireless phone cards transfer data at less less than 100 Kilobits per second. A wireless broadband card transfers data in Mega bits (much faster). The problem is what is available where you are going? Many modern hotels have wireless broadband access, but a PC Internet phone card is great for the highway. Many new laptops already have wireless broadband access built in. If you buy the right laptop and an Internet phone card, you can have your internet and enjoy it too.