Wireless router

[fairy!]

I'm gonna have wireless broadband in my house. We'll have a PC plus 2 or 3 laptops. What do I need to look for when buying a wireless router? There's too many to choose from!!!

[fo3nix]

ok, first thing is what sort of broadband? cable or adsl basically (adsl is when you use your standard phone line).

now, if your ISP sends you a broadband modem (or you already have it), then check the connection that it gives you. ideally it'll connect to your PC with an ethernet cable (looks like a thick phone cable, with phone cable endings). if it does this, then all you need is a standard wireless router. if however your modem that you have been supplied with has a USB out cable to plug into your PC, then it's easier to buy a 'wireless router + modem' in one (a standard wireless router will be wanting ethernet input, not USB). but here, you need to make sure that the modem built-in to the router is for either a cable or ADSL connection (hence why I asked earlier).

then you can just connect your PC with a cable (probably supplied with the router), and then the laptops will be able to connect wirelessly.

example of a wireles router + ADSL modem in one:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp ?WebProductID=91316

if your laptops aren't already wireless enabled, you can get something like this to plug in and make them work:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp ?WebProductID=150692

[fairy!]

Ohmygod, that sounds sooooooooooo complicated!!

Um... it's Talk Talk broadband, not sure what type that is?? Haven't been sent the modem yet, so will check it when it arrives!

Do you have to have a fixed PC? We couldn't just have a bunch of laptops?

[fo3nix]

sorry, wasn't meant to be!!

talk talk is ADSL, so just check and see if the modem they send has a USB connection or not. if it's USB you may be better off buying an ADSL modem and wireless router in one (such as the one I linked to above). If it comes with an ethernet cable to connect to your PC, then you can just buy a srtaight wireless router.

you do not have to have a fixed PC. you can just connect laptops to it wirelessly. though, on some routers you may have to plug the laptop into the router to set it up first, before using it wirelessly. this is easy enough however, as the router will come with the cable you need (and your laptop will already have the required port).

[fairy!]

Thanks fo3nix :-)