How to make a desktop Wireless?

[TruthIs1]

A friend wants me to give their desktop and wireless connection. I haven't seen the PC yet so I don't know the specs.

How do I tell if it has PCI slots or if it is too old?

Is PCI card the way to go or will a USB adapter work just as good?

Is 802.11 N the way to go or is G fine? I don't think the signal is very close, but I was told a connection can be picked up with a laptop, not sure how strong though.

What kind of card or adapter brand do you recommend?

As always thanks.

[mjc]

Unless the computer is from before about 1995, it has PCI slots.

USB wireless adapters for the most part are not as reliable as internal cards with antennas. That said, a USB adapter with an antenna, either attached directly to the device or by means of an extension cable, is better than a USB device with an internal antenna.

Wireless N is still a bit of a crap shoot...the spec was supposed to have been finalized this month, but I haven't seen if it has actually happened yet. Any N equipment that doesn't adhere to the final spec isn't worth picking up off the store shelf...as it is likely to be in need of firmware updates (at the least) or dropped to some sort of 'compatibility' mode once the final spec is released.

I prefer Linksys and Netgear...with Linksys being my first choice.