By Jackie Beem Platinum Quality Author To make a laptop wireless, a signal is necessary, either available at a home network or any public Wi-Fi location, and a wireless card or built-in wireless connection is required for a laptop to pick up the signal.
How Do I Connect A Wireless Printer to a Wireless Laptop?
Printers that can be networked will come with either a wireless adapter or a network adapter.
Since the question states wireless printer then let's assume that it has a wireless adapter. You can then plug it directly to a wireless router or you can use it in what is called ad-hoc mode.
If you choose to use ad-hoc mode then be aware that printing will monopolize your wireless adapter in your Laptop.
There are some good step-by-step instructions at wikiHow; "How To Set Up a Wireless Printer Connection".
Are all Laptops Wireless?
Most laptops today (Oct, 2009) have integrated wireless, so you will not need to purchase a wireless adapter for the laptop.
How Do I Connect an Old Laptop to a Wireless Home Network?
Depending on how old the laptop is it probably does not have integrated wireless as most new laptops do today.
Assuming you already have a wireless home network setup you will need to add a wireless network adapter of some type to your old laptop. Even though there are a number of different wireless adapters, the two primary ones used today for laptops are either a PC Card, sometimes referred to as a PCMCIA card, or a USB wireless adapter.
The PC Card is about the size of a credit card and fits into a slot on the side of your laptop. Before you purchase make sure that your old laptop has such a slot.
The USB Wireless Adapter will of course require that your laptop have a USB port available.
Before you purchase either adapter, make sure that it is compatible with your laptop's operating system. Also, make sure the wireless adapter is Wi-Fi certified.
Check the transfer rate and the adapter's range to be sure it will meet your needs.
More information and answers about wireless computing can be found at Wireless Laptop Computers. In addition, you can learn more about Wireless Network Routers, Wireless USB Adapters, DSL Wireless Modems and more.
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