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| New Computer Question (Read 196 times) |
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posted: 4/9/2008 at 1:44 PM |
This is probably a stupid question but I'm a stupid person.
We are going to finally upgrade the home computer and get off dial-up. We usually do most of our internet and e-mail stuff at work so the computer at home rarely was used. Now the kids are getting to a point in their education where it would be helpful for them to be able to look stuff up on the internet without us having to either bring them into the office or take them to the library to use the computers there. So a few questions:
-I can get internet access through the cable company or the phone company. I'm guessing one's over the cable line and the other is DSL. Which is better usually? How does that plug into the computer? Do I need a modem installed on the new computer?
-I can get the new desktop built with no modem, a wireless LAN card, or a wireless LAN card+external USB modem. What do I really need? |
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| view log Dave |
posted: 4/9/2008 at 1:52 PM |
| Quote from Get Gone on 4/9/2008 at 1:44 PM: This is probably a stupid question but I'm a stupid person.
-I can get internet access through the cable company or the phone company. I'm guessing one's over the cable line and the other is DSL. Which is better usually? How does that plug into the computer? Do I need a modem installed on the new computer?
In general, cable modem service is usually faster than DSL but it depends on what you pay for (in both cases). Also, in general, DSL tends to be a bit cheaper. Both plug in basically the same way:
MODEM (DSL OR CABLE) --> ROUTER (OPTIONAL) --> ETHERNET PORT/WIRELESS LAN ON PC
I recommend that you buy an inexpensive wireless router, if for no other reason, for its built in firewall.
I can get the new desktop built with no modem, a wireless LAN card, or a wireless LAN card+external USB modem. What do I really need?
If you have a phone jack/cable tv drop near your computer, you can probably just go with no modem (wired ethernet to the DSL/cable modem). You may want the wireless LAN card if you want the flexibility to move it around the house. I see no need for a USB modem except possibly to receive faxes.
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I ran a mile and I liked it, liked it, liked it.
dgb2n@yahoo.com
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| view log Supa Dupa Fly |
posted: 4/9/2008 at 3:57 PM
modified: 4/9/2008 at 4:00 PM |
i recommend cable. It's quicker, and when I had DSL I was always having issues with it going down for periods of time. My cable seldom if ever goes out.
Plus, I have no need for a land phone line, as I use my cell phone only. DSL required me to have land line service as well...so going with cable was definitley cheaper. |
| ~TC
--There are 10 kinds of people in the world: those who understand binary and those who don't-- |
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