Basic Questions

Yes, all will need is a wireless router.  All wireless router have 4 ports that enable the connection of up to 4 computers by wired ethernet and up to 250 more computers by wireless.   I'm not sure why you would want to turn the router on and off when using the laptop.  If you turn it off, no computers connected to the router will have an internet connection.   But, to answer your question, yes you can turn it on and off any time you want by simply unplugging it.  Wireless routers from Linksys, Netgear, and D-Link are all good.  There is not need to get anything more than a 54 Mbps 802.11g router, as the higher speed versions generally only work if the wireless network adapter in the computer is from the same manufacturer.   In any event since the internet connection provided by your cable company is not likely to be anywhere near 54 Mbps, there is no need to have a faster wireless speed.

 

Steve

Thank you Steve. Very helpful. I would only be using the laptop sporadically. By turning the router off I would improve the security of the system, but if that will also kill my wired connection to the desktop - which I use frequently - I will have to reconsider that option. Thanks again for your help and quick response.......hernan

No to be critical. but when you had the one machine directly connected to the modem, you were wide open to the internet, no protection.

 

With the router, you now have a firewall between you machines and the outside world.  As long as you do two things you can be reasonably sure you are safe:

 

1. Change the default password of the router
2. When using a wireless connection, use nothing less than WPA encryption with a similalry strong password.

Turning the router on and off all the time is certinaly going to affect the life of that device.  Leave it on and feel secure.

Thanks for the feedback. You are absolutely right. I am adding one more firewall. I have been using ZoneAlarm for years with great success. I am sure once I get the router and instrutions i will learn all about WPA encryption etc...as you can tell from my questions wireless is very new to me. Thanks again.....hernan

Just a follow up.

 

I purchased and installed the Netgear WPN824 this weekend from BestBuy (based on a sales associate that seemed honest and knowledgeable) . Instructions are excellent...even for a novice like me on wireless......Desktop (hard wired ) and laptop (wireless) working great. Also love the Inspiron 1525. Thanks for the support......hernan

Glad to hear all is working.   Cheers.