Alphabet soup of Wi-Fi choices

With three types of Wi-Fi "802.11" technology to choose from for wireless Internet access, and more on the way, which one is best for a new laptop?

First there was 802.11b, the clunky technical name for the wireless technology which made Wi-Fi a must-have for laptops.

Then came versions 802.11g and 802.11a. Letter "n" is coming. And back in the lab, the Wi-Fi wizards are working on "e," "r," "s" and "t."

There's now an alphabet soup of Wi-Fi choices for a new laptop, as well as competing brands and worries that future versions may render a young PC obsolete.

As if there weren't enough headache-inducing options when buying a computer?

Fret not, or at least not too much. The short answer is that nearly all current Wi-Fi products are interoperable, and provide far more speed than most users need, so the decision likely won't result in sleepless nights.

That's because interoperability has been a major thrust of the industry group which mercifully coined the name Wi-Fi to describe the 802.11 family of wireless technologies.

So just about any Wi-Fi modem in a computer will talk to just about any Wi-Fi transmitter, at home or on the road, regardless of manufacturer.