For a few years now, it's been easy to find Internet access from a public PC. Whether you're at the airport, a hotel, or your local coffee shop, the Web is usually just a couple clicks away. But now, with grassroots wireless hotspot networks popping up in most major metropolitan areas, you can check e-mail, sports scores, and the latest news headlines from just about anywhere on your own PC.

So what do you need to make your own laptop wireless-ready? If you already own a portable PC, all you need is a wireless network adapter, which fits into your computer's Type II slot. Some newer laptops even come with wireless-networking capabilities already built in. But with the recent explosion in home-networking products and standards, choosing the right adapter to meet your needs can be difficult; wireless adapters can vary in installation procedures, configuration software, security standards, and tech-support options. To help you choose the right card for your situation, we reviewed four very different models.