# Access Point vs. wireless card

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/access-point-vs-wireless-card/18742>\
**Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\
**Created:** [October 11, 2006, 10:02am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/access-point-vs-wireless-card/18742 "2006-10-11T10:02:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![suzukiriderman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/suzukiriderman/32/7421_2.png) [@suzukiriderman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/suzukiriderman)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2006, 10:02am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/access-point-vs-wireless-card/18742/1 "2006-10-11T10:02:34Z")

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I am trying to pull in a wireless signal at my shop. The wireless source is from another part of our building and running cat5 is not something they want to do. I was able to connect with a laptop but want to put a desktop down there. Would I be better off getting an access point or a really good wireless card. From my understanding the access point pulls in the signal and basically redistributes it. So it seems it would function as a repeater or booster.

**edit** or would one of those seperate antenas be a good option?

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**Author:** ![RobHimself](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e480ec/32.png) [@RobHimself](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RobHimself)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2006, 10:05am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/access-point-vs-wireless-card/18742/2 "2006-10-11T10:05:33Z")

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> [@suzukiriderman](#):
>
> I am trying to pull in a wireless signal at my shop. The wireless source is from another part of our building and running cat5 is not something they want to do. I was able to connect with a laptop but want to put a desktop down there. Would I be better off getting an access point or a really good wireless card. From my understanding the access point pulls in the signal and basically redistributes it. So it seems it would function as a repeater or booster.

Thats correct, an access point will basically repeat the signal. It sounds like thats your best bet.

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**Author:** ![JustinH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JustinH](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JustinH)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2006, 10:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/access-point-vs-wireless-card/18742/3 "2006-10-11T10:43:35Z")

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if your building the wireless network from scratch, go with N stuff, the strength is much better.