Cheap Wireless Suggestions

[johnnycombat]

I am thinking of setting up a wireless network in my house and I am looking for suggestions. The network would be linking a desktop and a laptop for now and a third computer in the near future. It is a kind of small house and it wouldn't be used for anything too demanding so basically I am just looking for a setup that is cheap, reliable and easy to use. I haven’t gotten too far in the though process so any thoughts would be helpful. Any suggestions?

[GroundZero3]

i believe you mentioned your in the US

www.salescircular.com

see what local stores in your area have deals for wireless

i would hold off on wireless until around thanksgiving or xmas, im sure equipment for home use will drop for the holidays

[johnnycombat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroundZero3

i would hold off on wireless until around thanksgiving or xmas, im sure equipment for home use will drop for the holidays

Yeah I don’t think I’ll be actually buying anything until probably after Christmas, I am just trying to get some ideas now

[GroundZero3]

B is dirt cheap right now, they are practically given it away now after rebates.

I would look into G, its a bit more money but well worth it.

[Chuckiechan]

Actually, it depends on what you plan to do with your laptop. In most cases, you run a cable from the wall to the wireless and a cable into your PC, and the wireless signal only operates the laptop, or any other PC that has a wireless card/antenna. So your PC isn't affected by bandwidthe limitations, only the wireless "targets".

So quite possibly a "B" will work. I'd wait for clarification on this one though. Plus it's almost always bad to buy obselete technology unless your sure you won't need more capability in the future.

[johnnycombat]

That is sort of what I was debating. The only reason why I would use the wireless for the desktop is so I wouldn’t have to run a new cable under the carpet. If I did run a cable to the desktop, then I would really need much bandwidth at all (the laptop use will be very limited), but as you pointed out it is hard to be sure that I will not want more capacity in the future.

[pickel]

I bought a factory refurbished D Link router (DI 614 + ) for $ 20 two years ago and got a 650 + card for $25 after rebate and connect @ 22 Mbps . Subsequetly got a range extender and connect all over the house and backyard.

[mrbam8]

first things first
1) you should have XP ( creating a wireless network is a piece of cake on XP)
2) you need a Broadband Connection( Road Runner, DSL, T1, ect...)
3) You need a wireless router, D-Link is a good company, NetGear also does the job. the price on the router can vary from $40-150, however mine for example was given free by my interent provider( Verizon Online DSL)
3) i am guessing that your laptop has a built in wireless adapter, but if it doesnt you can buy one for $20-40
4) on the "future destop" you will also need a wireless adapter, on tigerdirect they are cheap (mine connects @54 Mbps which is great, and i bought it for $15)
5) after you have installed all the hardware, creating the connection is almost automatic, your computer will detect a signal automatically(on XP) and connect the computer to the internet.

[GroundZero3]

1) Win2k, winme, and win98 second edition work fine for wireless
2) you dont have to have Broadband for a wireless network
3) an access point will work just fine.

[johnnycombat]

Well I have XP and a cable connection so I guess we are good on that front. Other than that I have nothing yet, no wireless adapter nothing. Whenever I do get around to this I’ll get all of the hardware at once.