Portable Wi-Fi Antenna for Centrino Laptops?

Quinthar asks: "For years I've been reading of amazing extensions to wifi-range, but they always seem to include external hardware rather than what's built into regular laptops. As wifi makes it almost everywhere, is there anything I can use to eek out extra coverage in the coffeeshops? I've read of USB antennae -- are these snakeoil? If not USB, how else can I plug a real antenna into a simple Centrino chipset without the hassle of an external card? My dream would be a tiny parabolic dish with a tripod that folds up neatly. Does such a thing exist? Can I hold a Pringles can up to the right spot and expect results? Basically, what are my options, and which do you recommend?"

Comments

Obvious solution

[MarkGriz]

Use one of those cellphone antenna boosters, which of course you adhere to your laptop battery.

Should provide at least the same amount of antenna boost as it does for cellphones.