I'm looking for a wireless internet card for my daughter for college to use in her apartment. Are there any buys and what is the average price on these? Thanks!

Assuming you are talking about a solution from one of the cellular providers, count on yor monthly plan running about $60 + tax unless you are eligible for a discount through your employer, etc. Check LetsTalk.com for a fairly comprehensive list of what is available from the major carriers, as well as what rebates are out there.

Edit: Be advised, if you don't want to be locked into a two year contract, you may want to look for used equipment. I know when I was in the market there was a pretty good selection on ebay.

She might just be talking about wifi, and not realizing that you need a wireless router too. Or maybe they already have a wireless router in the apartment, so she just needs the card.

i would guess a card too, but we would have to get more details from Candy.
Candy, you'll also need to find out what type of card your daughter wants (USB, PCI, or PCMCIA card).

Knowing whether it is a laptop or desktop might also be helpful. Including possibly the Brand and model if you have it.
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If she's looking for USB:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000636JD8
that one is $7.99AR. Reviews are a little mixed though.

I'll have to check to see if there is a router--guessing not-she is in a private home-and renting the basement. They do have internet upstairs but for some reason it doesn't reach/connect for her downstairs. Maybe that is what a router would be.

I'll send this link to her but so far she can't get on the web so she could explain better and yes-I'm talking the wifi.

Her laptop is a Mac-that is about as much as I know.

Thanks.

The card i linked above doesn't appear to be compatible with macsKnowing the actual model mac might help to figure out what kind of cards are compatible with her mac. It's easier to look up the specs online.

Also:
The model # is located on the bottom of the computer in a block of text that begins with “Designed by Apple in California... Model Number:”

Hi- I talked to my daughter... she has a MacBook. Model A1811 There is a router in the home and she got the wireless connection set up. She's wanting a card though that is like a USB wireless card... something you plug in that allows you to get wireless anywhere... does that help?

Sounds like she wants what JDMnAR originally described in the first reply.
You need to pay a monthly fee for that (around $60/mo) in addition to buying the USB card (~$100).

If it were my daughter, I'd tell her to make do with wifi.

yeah, that's very helpful

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-MA254L...M/dp/B000EPJNHW

is that the laptop she has?
(If it is, that laptop already has built-in wifi card and she may just need help in setting it up)

Yes, she has a wi-fi card because she gets wireless in her apt.... she just wanted something she could use in any area, but if there is a monthly fee I think that is out of her budget.... I think I'll be checking into one of these for me though =) Thank you all for your help!

ah, looks like garsh and jdmnar were right on track with the "mobile broadband".

Yeah, it's not really practical for most college kids because of the cost. Even the performance isn't very good compared to what cable/dsl companies offer. You generally see people get it for business purposes.

This week's Best Buy ad has a Verizon USB device for free.

Why don't these companies have a smaller timeframe or rent/lease of the service for these cards? I go to a trade show twice a year. I wouldn't mind paying $60.00 for a WEEK each time I go to these trade shows. I just don't want to be locked into paying for a service every month for 2 years, because I really don't have that much use for it if I am in my hometown.

Another option that would prevent you from getting tied into a contract - check with Millenicom to see what they have available currently. When I checked with them, there was a fee up-front (seems like it was activation/shipping/device) and then a monthly fee (~$60). Whenever you wanted to cancel, you just send the device back to them and you are done.