NetworkManager is the ideal solution for laptops and other portable computers. With NetworkManager, you do not need to worry about configuring network interfaces and switching between wired or wireless networks when you are moving. NetworkManager can automatically connect to known wireless networks. It can also manage several network connections in parallel, the fastest connection is then used as default. Furthermore, you can switch between available networks manually and manage your network connection using an applet or widget in the system tray.
On laptop computers, NetworkManager is active by default. However it can be at any time activated or deactivated using YaST as described in Section 10.2, Enabling NetworkManager.