I thought you said "one more question" and there are like 4...LMAO...

just kidding...

Well, let me see if I can help since I did some puter work.

1) if the laptop is going to be brand new. They usually and should come wi-fi ready so they can go on any wi-fi network that isn't encrypted. The unencrypted ones are usually called, hotspots. Just means it's like a social group for laptop users.

2) wi-fi is basically a network ready accessible hotspot. And it just means "wireless" it is done through "radio" signals, kinda like your cellphones. Although there are different signal strengths but that is not important for this discussion

it is usually setup through a "router" which is connected to a "modem"

so, let's see if we can do a song.

the puter's connected to modem OR

the puter's connected to router, then modem.

A router is usually used whenever you have more than ONE puter that you want to connect.

Some routers are now called Wi-Fi because of the wireless access.

Big Business such as McDonald's and Starbucks or Donut places have wi-fi HOTSPOTS(not all, but a lot of them do)

all laptops that are new are usually wi-fi ready. There are different wi-fi signals.

currently, the N-band is the strongest but most uses the G-band. So if she is buying a new laptop, more than likely, they'll ask her or tell her what band she uses. It is backwards compatible.

one strong caution about hotspots is to watchout for hackers. Make sure you keep your folders hidden and your firewalls fired up. Or you are compromising a lot of things such as your personal info/password/even bank accounts if you bank on line.
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when your friend buys a laptop, it is most likely going to be wi-fi ready. So you can go to any hotspot and pick up wi-fi.

But let's say her next door neighbor has wi-fi router and it is NOT encrypted or password protected. Your friend will be able to LOG ON using that unprotected router wi-fi. But that's another story in itself.

This is ILLEGAL...and I strongly caution against it...

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if your friend wants to get on the internet in her own home. She needs to decide how she wants to get on. Through phone? Through cable? through DSL (satellite which is usually set up through a phone jack but read at a higher speed and has a higher encryption)

but all of them use MODEMS. Modem is the connection between any puter and the internet. Routers are the go-betweens when you want to network more than one object. (you can network not just puters these days, but ipods, playstations, cell phones, bluetooth stuff, tivo, DVR's, blah blah blah)

If she has cable now, more than likely, she can just set up with that current cable company. They'll provide her with a "Modem"

If she wants to use the phone which is slower, she can go through whatever company. People usually use AOL or Earthlink and set up over the phone. They will still have to set up her "internal modem" that's built in her laptop, for her" And some company might even have to send her a modem. It depends on where she lives and how accessible these companies are to your area.

There are two basic modem connectors (there's more but you probably won't use them)

Ethernet and Phone jacks.

Ethernet jacks look like phone jacks, but are bigger. Phone jacks are smaller. They have different speeds that are dictated by CAT. The higher the CAT, the higher the speed. The basic stand for ethernet is CAT5.

but they might be able to set her up with a wi-fi modem cause they make them these days.

So, it depends on what she wants to spend. Usually, phone connections are the cheapest the cable modem are the most expensive.

DSL is used by a lot of phone based internet connectors these days. It is connected to your phone jack then connected to a satellite(not exactly but almost).

and it will help speed up the internet connection. But usually the cable modem is the fastest right now...

however, Versizon just started a whole fiber optic revolution that is 50 times faster than a cable modem. If you have verizon in your area, look into fiberoptic hookups. It is much faster and actually cheaper.

That is still hooked up through a modem, though...

AOL and Earthlink are just third party companies that take the guess work out of for you. To make it more user friendly. You do not need to use these companies.

These companies have made deals with most computer manufacturers to have their softwares "bundled" in with your new computers, I usually take them out.

But a lot of people like to use AOL cause they like the interface. She could probably just use her local cable company and hook up something with them

Now, cause you have internet, I am not sure how yours is hooked up. But if you have a basic modem without encryption and you hook up through ethernet without password protection, she'll be able to take her laptop to your house and hook up through ethernet and her computer will find the right IP address and get her connected. (that's just for fun)

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so, basically, your friend will need a modem(the laptop will have a built in modem) so the two modems can talk to eachother.

she just needs to decide how she wants to get on the internet.

If she wants to go on wi-fi, the cable company might offer wi-fi modems. If not, she can buy one at Staples or somewhere. The two biggest companies that make the wi-fi routers are linksys and netgear. Linksys has a better support system (via phone) in my humbled opinion.

I would highly deter her from connecting to some private home's networking. It is considered illegal and she could get her personal informations compromised. As a matter of fact, if she was to get a wi-fi, I would strongly recommend encryption...

anyways, I hope I didn't confuse you more. Good luck and good on you for wanting to learn these things. Most people treat these like plagues. LOL