Netgear broadband

[happy_face]

Would someone be kind enough to explain to me in simple terms (am a bit dense when it comes to IT) how Netgear works?
I want to buy a laptop and I want wireless broadband with it. So if I buy a standard laptop can I use the Netgear package with it? What does the NEtgear package consist of and what am I meant to do?

Do I still need to sign up for wireless broadband with an ISP or can I just use standard broadband with the Netgear package?

Many thanks for your help

[finnyfaddler]

Most laptops today are wi-fi enabled. Make sure the one you buy is.

To use it wirelessly in your home you will need a broadband service. I use the standard broadband modem that came free when I signed up with my ISP.

You will need a router. Expect to pay around �50.

Connect the router to the modem, and when it is all set up you will be able to connect wirelessly.

[vehelpfulguy]

I will keep it simple, but it may take more than one update.

For normal "wired" broadband the phone cable comes into your house, then into a modem, then via a cable to your PC or laptop.

If you want to have more than one person using your wired broadband connection you can buy something called a ROUTER.

This plugs into your modem and then can have a number of PCs or laptop plugged into it, in effect splitting the internet connection two 2 or more PCs.

Here is a picture of a WIRED router. You can see the sockets where the various PCs or laptops plug in.

http://www.ezlister.net/Images/ba3/img_3835.jp g

So to sum up for a WIRED connection

It goes MODEM - WIRE - ROUTER - WIRE - PCS or LAPTOPS

Enf of update 1

[vehelpfulguy]

Update 2

So update 1 above covered a wired connection.

Now if you want wireless you need to buy a WIRELESS ROUTER.

Here is a picture of a wireless router (note the aerial)

http://metroplexdirectory.com/store/images/net gear-wireless-router.jpg

The connection into your house is exactly the same (you do not need a different ISP or sign up for wireless broadband)

With a wireless router the only connection that is wireless is the one from the router to your laptop.

So the connection goes

MODEM - WIRE - ROUTER - WIRELESS - LAPTOP

Note that a wireless router ALSO has wired capability, so it can also go

MODEM - WIRE - ROUTER - WIRE - LAPTOP

End of update 2

[vehelpfulguy]

Update 3.

You talk about Netgear and the Netgear package but you do not say why you mention them.

Netgear is the name of a company that makes networking hardware, including routers.

But there are a lot of other companies that make networking hardware such as Linksys, Belkin etc.

Why do mention Netgear ?

But assuming you have already got a Netgear router or plan to get a Netgear router, then yes, you can use your standard broadband package with a Netgear router.

Note that the type of router you buy will be different depending if you have a phone line (BT etc) or a cable connection (NTL / Telewest)

The routers are different.

End of update 3

[vehelpfulguy]

If you are running Windows XP (or know someone who is) then there is a good overview in the Windows XP Help for Home Networking.

From the Start menu select Help then type in Home Network.

In the help window that is displayed see the heading Overview, Articles and Tutorials.

Under that is a lot of articles about home networking and how to set it up.

[happy_face]

wow, vehelpfulguy you sure are very helpful.

Reason I talk about Netgear is that PC world have a package on offer. See here http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/2 83869
and I'm going down there tonight to buy laptop and thought I could get that too if this is what I'd need. I have a standard BT line and will be ordering broadband through the BT line so is this package ok?
Do I need to get a Wi-fi enabled laptop like finnyfaddler says?

[kepla]

No you don't need a special wireless-enabled laptop as the package comes with an 'adaptor' which you plug into a USB hole in your laptop and that does the wireless thing for you. If you do have a wrieless-enabled laptop, then you don't need to use the adaptor - but you could use it on a second PC.
Netgear is pretty good kit - it has a good habit of actually working and is pretty straightforward to configure. I've used a lot of Netgear stuff in pro installations and use it all the time at home. If you get that kit, you will also be able to access the Net on your broadband connection from a Wi-Fi enabled phone like the Nokia N80, or a hand-held tablet like the Nokia 770. You'll also be able to sit in the garden and surf the net if you like. Favourite trick of mine at the moment is listening to music through headphones on my phone (N80) which is being streamed from MP3s held on a computer in the house - via the wireless router. You can do video too.

[happy_face]

wow sounds complicated.

On the advice from vehelpfulguy I checked out the specs on this Netgear package and it said Cable and as I'm BT line I don't think it'll be any good.

[vehelpfulguy]

Yes, this Netgear package is for a CABLE customer, but Netgear will also do a similar one for a BT line customer.

Note that if you buy a wi-fi enabled laptop you only need the ROUTER, you do not need the little USB dongle that is shown in the picture.

You only need the USB dongle if the laptop you have does not include wireless.

If you are going to buy a laptop from PC World then talk to them about what router you need and they will suggest the best one.

Note that some ISPs now supply a wireless router as part of the deal, so do not rush out and buy a router as you may get one free from the ISP.

I would buy the latop first and get used to that, THEN sign up with an ISP, only then buy a router if they do not supply one.

[happy_face]

Excellent.

Thank you so much everyone for your excellent advice. You've been extremely helpful and I feel I have a general idea now.

Now I need to search ISP's who include a router in the package. Have any of you got any recommendations?