<p>what do you need to bring in order to be connected to the internet for your computer? should you bring a wireless card if you have a laptop or will they give you one? what if you have a desktop..do they supply a cord?</p>
<p>uhh... I'm pretty sure you have to purchase a wireless card for your desktop or laptop.</p>
<p>About the cord.. are you talking about an internet connection cord (cat5e/RJ45) or a power cord... or something else lol?</p>
<p>internet connection cord</p>
<p>They may have ethernet cords in the rooms (they did this summer for some reason), but I"d bring one just in case. They don't cost much, and as long as you have an ethernet card in your PC (which most do), all you need is the cord to connect to their network.</p>
<p>As for the wireless card, you'd have to buy one. I don't know exactly how much of Cornell is covered with "hot spots" and therefore wireless connectivity, but I'd say the libraries are, as well as some other places. If you want to connect wirelessly, get an 802.11g wireless card at your local PC store for about 60 bucks. If you have a laptop that you're bringing, it's worth the extra cash to be able to go wireless.</p>
<p>you might not have to if it has wireless built in... i.e. centrino*</p>
<p>If you have any kind of modern computer, the motherboards already have Ethernet built in, however, cujoe's right, Centrino chipsets have wireless built in too.</p>
<p>You don't need to buy an ethernet cord (one will be waiting for you on your bed when you get here), but you do need to buy a wireless card (if you don't already have one in your laptop) to use Red Rover</p>
<p>What's Red Rover? In general, are laptops or desktops a better option?</p>
<p>Red Rover is Cornell's wireless internet system around campus. As far as laptop vs desktops; if you are just a casual computer user I would bring a laptop (portable, takes up less space etc.). But if you are a hardcore gamer or in a major that requires computer programing etc. then a desktop will probably be better. The vast majority of ppl that I know have a laptop.</p>
<p>get laptops, desktops have more power, but they take up more space, cant get brought to lounges or wherever, cant be taken home over the weekend or on break, cant be easily shipped to the manufacturer for repair. and new laptops have plenty of power for all but the most complex CAD and mathematics programs. you know, the kind that cost thousands of dollars...</p>