Bluetooth adapters
A large number of laptops and an increasing number of desktop computers - like most of the Apple product line - have built-in Bluetooth. However, if your PC doesn't, you need some sort of adapter, just like you need an 802.11 adapter to connect your PC to your wireless LAN. The most common way to get Bluetooth onto your PC is by using a USB adapter (or dongle). These compact devices (about the size of your pinkie - unless you're in the NBA, in which case, we say half a pinkie) plug directly into a USB port and are self-contained Bluetooth adapters. In other words, they need no external power supply or antenna.
Because Bluetooth is a relatively low-speed connection (remember that the maximum speed is only 732 Kbps in most cases, and a maximum of 3 Mbps for the fastest USB devices), USB connections will always be fast enough for Bluetooth. You don't need to worry about having an available Ethernet, PC Card, or other high-speed connection available on your PC.
Tip Because many people have more USB devices than USB ports on their computers, they often use USB hubs, which connect to one of the USB ports on the back of the computer and connect multiple USB devices through the hub to that port. When you're using USB devices (such as Bluetooth adapters) that require power from the USB port, you should plug them directly into the PC itself and not into a hub. If you need to use a hub, make sure that it's a powered hub (with its own cord running to a wall outlet or power strip). Insufficient power from an unpowered hub is perhaps the most common cause of USB problems.
If you have lots of USB devices, using a USB hub is simple. We've never seen one that even required special software to be loaded. Just plug the hub (use a standard USB cable - there should be one in the box with the hub) into one of the USB ports on the back of your PC. If it's a powered hub (which we recommend), plug the power cord into your power strip and into the back of the hub (a designated power outlet is there), and you're ready to go! It's easy as can be. Now you can plug any USB device you have (keyboard, mouse, digital camera, printer - you name it) into the hub and away you go.
Street prices for these USB Bluetooth adapters generally run under $40, and you can find them at most computer stores (both online and the real brickand- mortar stores down the street). Vendors include companies such as DLink (www.dlink.com), Belkin (www.belkin.com), and Sony (www.sony.com).
