Wireless PC Cards for Laptops

The market for wireless PC cards for laptops is contracting quickly. Most if not all new laptops today include wireless connectivity. PC card slots are seldom included in the standard packages. USB 2.0 has just about superseded PC card technology for connecting most if not all external devices.

Buyers of PC cards are usually owners of laptops that pre-date the home wireless network explosion. They may have initially bought an 802.11b PC card together with a router when they first setup a home or office network. Today they are buying replacement PC cards that support 802.11g and more recently 802.11n, that permit increased wireless router security and faster speeds, while protecting an investment in a laptop.

There are now USB competitors in this niche market. Both D-Link and Linksys have released impressive wireless USB 2.0 products that support 802.11g (and 802.11b) and 128-bit WEP as well as WPA encryption. They are quickly installed, require no wiring or dedicated power supply.

USB is such an attractive option for many people that they have used up all of their USB ports. Again with a view to servicing a niche market, Belkin has produced a USB 2.0 notebook card that support additional USB 2.0 ports.

While the use of wireless internet for laptop connections will continue growing, it's unlikely that wireless PC cards will be part of that future.