First time wireless router buyer - reccomendations ?

[mayan]

Hey, I'm about to purchase a new laptop from Dell which has this network card :

Intel® Pro Wireless 3945 802.11a/b/g Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card for Core 2 Duo Processors

Anywho, I'm looking for a wireless router so that i can use it anywhere around the house. Looking for reliability, ease of use, and security(wpa, wep, mac filtering etc)

My budget is around £70 tops
I have very limited knowledge for networking stuff so if you could gimme the 101 that'd be great. Which brands / models to go for etc

If it makes any difference I'm currently on 4MB broadband with Telewest Blueyonder

Whats the difference between a wireless router, and a wireless access point ?

Mayan

[adam1701]

Get the linksys WRT54GS

its around £40 from PCWorld!

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/852034

just flash the firmware... its around on these forums how to do it or a link to it

[colincliff]

Buffalo AirStation WHR-HP-G54

Amazing range, and connects well with Macs also incase you ever have one in the house.

Also flashable with DD-WRT if you like that kind of thing

[Supercharged]

An access point is bassically just a wireless hub and allows you to connect several wireless devices together...

A router would be best for you (and these days they are not much more expensive) - A router accepts an incoming internet connection and basically provides a gateway to it, this will mean you have an 'always on' broadband connection no matter what PC's are on...

Routers are fairly easy to set up and most come with a firewall and ethernet switch built in - I'm also using the Linksys WRT54GS model and as above it's very reliable.

[EtheAv8r]

I use, and can thouroughly recommend the NetGear DG834PN. It is easy to use, reliable and gives great performance.

I have been using NetGear for over 4 years, and have has the current box nearly one year. I have installed several for friends and family, and everyone is very please with them.

[abeacock]

I have a rock-solid 3Com OfficeConnect ADSL/Wireless/4-port switch one.

I love it and you should be able to get it for about £50.
I blogged about it a while ago:
http://andrewbeacock.blogspot.com/20...fantastic.html

[mayan]

remember im on cable though ! so i don't think an adsl router will work =|

at the moment im leaning towards one of the linksys routers like one reccomended above

linksys WRT54GSUK
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/sto...m=1&sku=250537

looks like it should suit my needs,

thanks guys