the basics

Wireless USB for a wireless intenet connection, with wireless USB being popular, wireless USB may well be the best option as wireless USB is claimed by the manufacturers to deliver consistent wireless connections. If you don't want to open up the back of your computer to fit a wireless network adaptor, this could be the answer. Manufacturers also claim that these can now provide no "dead spots" in your home. Its basically a USB key that plugs into your computer, and avoids the worry of opeining up the back of your computer to fit a wireless adaptor inside your computer. You can buy them from £10 up!

Internal wireless adaptor card: The intenal adaptor, sometimes called a PCI Adaptor, or network adaptor, is often cheaper than the Wireless USB to buy, and because it is inside your computer, is less likely to break, or get snapped off by mistake. It has an external aerial, very small, (a couple of inches, ususally), that sticks out of the computer, instead.

Terms you will notice on wireless USB boxes:
Wireless USB G  transfers datea up to 54 Mbps using the 2.4Ghz band. For broadband, surfing the internet, email, streaming music, and handling multiple computer connections to the internet.
Wireless USB G+  transfers data up to 125 Mbps using the 2.4Ghz band. For gamers, people who share photos online, and this is supposed to deliver higher performance
WPS: Wi Fi Protected Setup, so you can fit the USB adaptor with easy set up
Mbps Megabits Per Second. One megabit is equal to one million bits or 1,000 kilobits. While "megabit" sounds like "megabyte," a megabit is about one eighth the size of a megabyte.The higher the Mbps, the quicker the transfer speed of data, and the more types of data can be transferred.

Essentially, the wireless USB or wirelss adaptor transmits to your wireless modem router or wireless router. This means your router can be located in a different part of the house than your computer, and you can also move your computer around the house. Very useful if you have a laptop you move around a lot. The wireless USB also enables you to connect to a wireless printer. Usually this happens with the wireless printer connecting to the wireless router, which then connects with the computer. Lots on the market, popular names are Netgear, Belkin and Linksys.

wireless USB adaptors

wireless security

wireless printers