Laptop need connection to my cable modem?

Question

I now own one computer in my home. It is a desktop with a tower.
My internet connection is a cable that comes through the wall and plugs into a cable modem, this modem provides internet service (128K) to this desktop pc.
Within a few weeks or months I plan to buy a new (or possibly refurbished) laptop. Question: Will I need to connect my new laptop to this cable modem? Someone told me since the laptop will likely be "wireless" that I will NOT have to attach the laptop to the cable modem.
Then someone else told me that even though the laptop I buy will be likely be a "wireless laptop" that I will still have to find a way to connect the laptop to the cable modem to have an internet connection.
Any suggestions ?

Someone said "Even if the laptop needs to be connected to the cable modem, you can get around running a cable from the laptop to the cable modem by going to Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Compusa, etc. and buy a Belkin (or some other brand) wireless routing device....this will eliminate the need for cable running from the cable modem to the laptop" Any suggestions?

Answer 1

The way your Internet connection is set up right now would require you to connect a laptop by cable to it. You would need a Hub, preferably with a switch, and an RJ cat45 Ethernet cable. You hook the modem up to the hub, then hood each individual computers, both the laptop and the desktop to the hub ports via the RJ 45 Cable, each with one end in the computer and the other in the hub.

Now, if you bought a Router with Wireless Access Point and Switch integrated inside, (G is not so expensive any longer, N is the most expensive now as it is the newest and fastest version of WiFi) Now, you can purchase the Router for slightly more than the Hub, and it has the Wireless Access Point already iinside, so you could hook the Desktop via Cable and use the Integrated Wireless Capabilities of the Laptop to access the Internet Wirelessly.

So, the minimum purchase you need is either a Hub w/Switch or Router, RJ CAT 5 cable, for both computers. Now remember that using the Cat 5 cable hooked up to either the Hub or the Router is still the fastest Internet Speed. Wireless is coming closer to matching the cabled speeds, but it still has not completely caught up yet. So keep that in mind. Also, you are not going to always want to be hooked up to a cord with your laptop, you are going to want to use it wirelessly, at hotspots around your area, at hotels, airports, etc, and yes, at home too.

So, the best setup for you would be a wired connection for both via a Router with a Wireless Access Point integrated into it, the capability for both the desktop and the laptop to be wired and the laptop also use the Wireless Capabilities of the Access Point.

This is called a "Mixed" Network and is not difficult at all. I suggest you buy this book:

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Home Netwoking by Mark Edward Soper. This book is not huge, has a lot of great and very usefull information, step by step instructions on how to set up Networks, and also how to set up the security if going Wireless, how to add other nodes (Items) to the Network such as TiVo, Game Consoles, Entertainment devices, T.Vs, and a whole lot more, like security cameras, even how to hook up a washer to work receive start instructions from the computer while you are away, so making your laundrey start during lower power consumption prices, when you normally would be at work.

I used this book to help me set up both my home and office netowrks and highly reccomend it to everyone who is just starting out with Networking, whether it is two computers or many computers.

Good luck and have a great day!

Answer 2

You'll likely have to get a wireless router. Your connection would go to the modem, then to the router, wired to the PC and wireless to the laptop. Or you can just have PC wireless as well if you install a wireless card. But, if the router is going to be next to your computer and the cable modem, a cable from router to PC

Answer 3

If all you have is just the cable modem, then you will need a Wired Router to connect your laptop via a cable or a Wireless Router to connect your laptop via a cable or via the Wireless Network.

Answer 4

That's the problem with cable. It will go dead for around a week in certain areas. Wait about a week and see if things get better, if not try calling your cable provider and seeing if they are relocating there service area and your on the edge. that happens to a lot of my friends

Answer 5

A wireless router should resolve Ur probs...{:-{}.