Internet Options for Desktop Computers
Ethernet Card
Many low priced Ethernet cards will fit into any open PCI Slot. The card will accept an Ethernet connection from your cable, DSL or satellite modem, or your office LAN (Local Area Network). Most new computers now come with Ethernet ports built into the computer.
Wireless Card
Another option is a wireless card. A PCI card can be installed in a desktop computer or a wireless receiver connected via USB. You must have a wireless router connect to either a cable modem, DSL, or LAN to send the internet signal for your computer to receive.
Internal Modem
An internal modem is a PCI card that is in your computer that connects through the phone line. This is still the most common way to connect to the Internet from a home computer, although it is argueably the worst way to connect to the Internet. It requires full access to a phone line, requires a long connection time, and it extremely slow compared to other internet options such as Cable or DSL, at times more then 50 times slower.
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Last Updated: 05/14/2008