Introduction
You can connect to the internet on laptop almost anywhere. As long as your laptop has a built-in wi-fi adapter and you can pick up a free wi-fi signal from wherever you are, it is possible to connect to the internet. Laptops are great to have because they are portable and you can bring them with you nearly everywhere you go. All newer models of laptops have wi-fi capability, so you can connect to your home internet, work internet, or internet wherever you happen to be. Staying connected and in-touch on laptop can be addicting, so to be able to connect to the internet anywhere is an amazing feature.
Step 1
Check to see if you have a built-in wireless adapter on laptop. The easiest way to check this is to see if there is a little network bar at the bottom, right-hand corner of your laptop. When clicking this, it will bring up a list of wireless internet networks that are in range. If you do not see this icon on your laptop, check your keyboard for a little button or icon that shows a little figure that resembles the letter "i", with curved lines on the sides. By clicking this button, you will be turning your wi-fi connection either on or off. If you can find neither of these options on laptop, you may not have a built-in wireless adapter. Most newer laptops come with this, so check your owners manual for more information. If this is an older laptop, you can buy a wireless card that will be installed for you to connect to the internet.
Step 2
Select a network to connect to on laptop from the network list. In this list, you should see networks in your area and bars that show the amount of range that you are picking up from them. The best ranged network will be at the top of the list. Some wireless networks will be password protected, so you will not be able to connect to them unless you know the password. Through this list, you can connect to your home internet, work network, and more. If you are at a coffee shop or restaurant that offers free internet, you can connect to their wireless network through here. Simply click the network name and click to connect.
Step 3
When you connect to the internet on laptop in some locations, you may need to open your web browser and accept an agreement policy. This is to ensure that you are not taking advantage of their internet access. After connecting to the network, open your web browser. If you can navigate to any website, great! If not, a webpage will pop up that asks you to accept the terms of the agreement. Just click accept and you will then be able to use the internet on laptop at this location.
Step 4
If you are at a restaurant and are not sure if they offer free internet access on laptop, check your available networks or ask an employee for more information. Some locations may have internet access that is not turned on or is not available at the current time.
Step 5
Another way to get internet access on laptop from anywhere is to purchase a hot spot. A hot spot serves as an internet access spot that you can bring with you wherever you go. This means that you will always be able to connect to the internet. You do have to purchase the hot spot product and then pay a monthly fee to have this service. Hot spots can be purchased from electronic stores and mobile retailers such as Verizon.
Tips
If you think that you may need to connect to the internet while you are out, bring your laptop with you. You will more than likely be able to find a free wireless internet connection somewhere.
