router, network card, ethernet?

Question

I want to buy a laptop and I have a desktop that is connected to broadband with and ethernet cord. I want to have the laptop use the same internet wirlessly. Is there anything I should look to buy when purchasing the laptop? I know I need a router, or do I? What is a network card? Do both computers have to have one in order for the wireless connection to work? I would really appreciate an answer put in the simplest of terms. I am very confused. Thank you

Answer 1

Yes, each computer needs a Network Interface Card, or NIC, to be able to connect to the Internet. There are different NICs, wired and wireless.
The BroadBand internet comes into your home via cable. Then you have to hook that cable in your home to a Cable Modem.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_modem

The Modem changes the signal in such a way that your computer can understand it. After that you can connect your computer into the Modem, But only that computer can get on the Internet. This is where the Router comes into play.

--Router-----
Yes, you will need a router to have more then one computer, Desktop and Laptop,connected to the Internet at the same time.
With that said you'll need a Router that can broadcast a wireless signal. I recommend a company called LinkSys, which makes routers.
here is a link for a Wireless Router:
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C1&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1115416939789&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=3978991233B01


--Desktop-----
Your Desktop should have a NIC inside it already, but Im guessing that it is not wirless. You can buy a wireless card for your Desktop. If its wired, you will need to connect your Ethernet cable into the computer to the router.

--Laptop-----
As far as the laptops go, It will be hard to find a new laptop that doesn't have a wireless Network card it in. Just looking on the Dell Website for Notebooks. You can look at the specs to see if it has something like:

Wireless Networking Cards
Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card (54Mbps)

Its rare that you would have to buy a seperate NIC for your computers. They should have them already installed. You will have to buy a Router, to help multiple computers connect to the Internet. You will need a Cable Modem to go from the cable signal to the Ethernet signal.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

In simplest terms:

Yes, you will need a router in order for both computers to share the same broadband connection. The laptop will connect to the router wirelessly -- this capability should be built into the laptop already. The desktop will connect to the router via the ethernet cord that is currently connected to the modem. Finally, the router will connect to the modem using a new (i.e. you'll need to buy it) ethernet cord. Since the desktop is already connected to the internet, it clearly has all the hardware it needs.

Summary: you need to buy 1) the laptop; 2) the wireless router and 3) one new ethernet cable to connect the router to the modem.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I couldn't tell if you already have a router or if you are connecting your existing desktop directly to the cable modem. If you have a router, verify that it has or doesn't have wireless capabilities before going out to buy another router. That said, most wireless routers have at least four RJ45 Ethernet ports, so your desktop should be able to continue using an Ethernet cable to connect. You do have the option of replacing that with a Wireless PCI adapter but unless you plan on moving the PC away from the router there is little reason to do so. The Wireless PCI cards run close to $40, at least in the computer shops near me.

Most modern laptops will come with wireless capabilities now but you can verify by looking through the hardware specs. If you have a very old wireless router, you might need to be concerned with the wireless protocol (A, B, G, or N). Most will support multiple protocols.

Answer 4

Hi,
You will need a router if you want to create a wi-fi zone. The router is connected to the modem through an Ethernet cord and your desktop can be wired (or you can even make it wireless) to the router. You will need a laptop with wifi enabled.
In a nutshell
Changes you have to make to the desktop - 0 (unless you want to make it connect wireless to the internet)

Cheers

Answer 5

you should use the usb to ethernet adapter and, if it does not contain a driver you may setting up by ability of ability of CD it extremely is probable which you would be able to get carry of one from the internet. the final decision, even with the undeniable fact that, seems setting up a PCI ethernet card. i'm assuming you decide on this for the preliminary configuration of the router and, thereafter, you would be connecting your laptop by ability of ability of wireless. if it extremely is so that then you will additionally choose a instantaneous PCI Card. pondering the shown fact that that's somewhat undemanding to place in PCI enjoying cards, assuming you have the room on your case, i could propose paying for the enjoying cards and doing the installations your self. a competent Ethernet PCI card could properly be had for decrease than $35.00 from decrease value homes and solid wireless PCI card could properly be had for $50 or $60. attempt TigerDirect or NewEgg. i've got have been given a Linksys WRT54G instantaneous Router coupled with a Linksys WMP54G PCI card in my own laptop. (in addition they make a WMP54GR that has twin antennas for longer variety.) the two our laptops are Centrino geared up so no adapters have been mandatory for them. all of it works great! desire this helps.