Question about usb wifi adapter

[SoulReaver2662]

Hey people,

i'd just like to ask the difference between a usb wifi dongle and a full fledged wifi router?
I know the router acts like a hotspot within your home, so does the usb wifi dongle act as the same thing with a shorter range? or is it something like....if your desktop doesn't have a wifi card, you connect the dongle to enable your desktop to see a hotspot...

I'm confused because, the nintendo wifi dongle for instance, allows your NDS or WII to see your desktop's broadband connection as a hotspot. I was thinking, if that's possible then i wouldn't have to spend more cash on getting a full fledged wifi router....

Thanks

[liangtam]

Aiya, router nowadays as cheap as some usb adapter.

[krazyman]

To answer you queries, the wifi dongle can be used to connect to a router or other PCs. If you want it to work like a "hotspot", then you have to configure your PC as the gateway. In other words, your PC has to be on all the time with internet conection sharing enable to allow others to access internet thru your PC. It will be cheaper and simpler to just get a wireless router.

[eddy2099sg]

Typically the dongle is merely a USB based WIFI network adapter/card, it allows your computer to be connected to a router/hub to access the rest of the network or the internet. They are basically not the same thing but you need both to access the web.

[xinus84]

router receives internet connection, and routes data to specific computers. hence router.

usb wifi adds wireless connectivity to ur pc using usb port. from then, ur pc may connect wireless to an internet, intranet, or router.

[MrJacky]

The WiFi adapter acts like an Ethernet cable. You use the Ethernet cable to get an internet connection, you use the WiFi adapter to get a wireless connection.

[SoulReaver2662]

oh okay...thanks for confirming my queries guys....

looks like it's time to buy a wifi router then