Expert: Bobbert - 3/5/2009

Question
I would like to invest in a laptop and go completely wirless. Please advise.
1. Is wireless completely secure?
2. I have heard that laptops have a short life - is it true?
3. Can I successfully print to a wireless printer
4. Can I connect a proper keyboard to a laptop
Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you
Steve

Answer
Definitions of "completely secure" vary wildly, conventionally modern WiFi implementations could be argued as "secure enough". I'm not really sure what lifecycle you're talking about with the "short life" comment? Generally a laptop is replaced every 12-18 months (on average) in order to maintain "current" support, although the physical hardware can last much longer (the battery may need to be replaced eventually).

As far as a wireless printer is concerned, I don't see the advantage (especially given the extra price), although it should be no problem to use, if properly configured. Personally I would suggest a printer that can connect via Cat5/6, and installing it close to the wireless router.

When you say "proper keyboard", do you mean a more conventional "desktop" keyboard? If so, then yes, generally such a peripheral has no problems being connected.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.


-bob