Wireless Card / Network Interface Card Confusion

[Dave H.]

Can you help me understand please? If a laptop has built in wireless, is there any need for an NIC (Network interface Card) in that same computer?

Thank you.

[FouTight]

yes, depends on how you want to connect, but the internet isn't just.... THERE. you will need a wireless access point to use the internet without the NIC.

[Dave H.]

Thank you, but still confused. Let me go a little further.

Let's suppose I have a cable modem hooked up to a router. Additionally, I have a PC with a wireless card. DO I ALSO NEED AN NIC CARD? If so, can someone explain why?

[FouTight]

a wireless card IS a NIC, the media is different. Instead of using copper cable, the wireless uses RF to transmit data. You will need some form of media connected to your computer, either RF or wires, but not both.

Modems generally come with an ethernet interface, so if you are goign to use that, you will not need anything else, but if you choose to use wireless, you will need a wireless access point, most likely a router.