Need internet advice....

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

finally got cable internet in my area so i need advice on what cable modem i need. i'm really a noob to this so please dumb-down the responses so i can understand. also thinking about a wireless router for my laptop.

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[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

Whatever Your Service Provider Offers.

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

they charge a monthly fee for the modem so i figured i would be better in the long run to buy one

 

[kombat96 10+ year member]

motorola, the basic. thats what i have. cost about 50 bucks or so.

 

[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

they charge a monthly fee for the modem so i figured i would be better in the long run to buy one

here it's an extra $5mon. to rent theirs. I'd rent theirs, if anything should happen to it, they'll replace it.

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

i guess i might as well do that. this will sound dumb but could i run more then 1 computer off of a cable modem

 

[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

yes, router, hub

 

[kombat96 10+ year member]

yep, i have my own modem and router

 

[DaveVT 10+ year member]

I have a router if you need one. It is brand new. Paid 55 bucks. You can take it for 30.

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

so i will need a router? i can't hook 2 computers to one modem? i decided to get the modem through the company since it is only $2.95 a month. should be set up for cable friday. now i need opinions on a wireless router. i hear that your connection slows down when going wireless, is this true? should i look into a standard router then? what are some good routers?

 

[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

depends, are you into gaming like xbox live?

 

[IamDeMan 5,000+ posts]

I would use theirs as well. It's just less hassle. If buying one you have to make sure they support the model on their network anyway.

 

[psych0ticnemes1 5,000+ posts]

just use the modem road runner or whoever gives you

i have a linksys wap11 (wireless access point) you can have for cheap... and no, going wireless doesn't slow anything down...

yes you need a router if you plan on using more then one computer...

I have a netgear hub with 4 ports if you want it for cheap...

 

[IamDeMan 5,000+ posts]

so i will need a router? i can't hook 2 computers to one modem? i decided to get the modem through the company since it is only $2.95 a month. should be set up for cable friday. now i need opinions on a wireless router. i hear that your connection slows down when going wireless, is this true? should i look into a standard router then? what are some good routers?

First, yes a router is advisable to maintain consisten multi-connections. I prefer Linksys, but many also use D-Link. Wireless is slower than a wired local LAN(100Mbps vs 54Mbps wired G), however an internet connection runs between 1-5 Mbps, so a wireless connection won't be any slower with internet than a wired connection is. As long as your signal is strong you shouldn't experience any drops. Make sure you get a wireless "G" router. That is the fastes wireless class. Your wifi cards on the PCs will also need to be wireless G. If you want to go Linksys here is a good combo.

Router

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833124190

USB 2.0 Adapter

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833124187

or PCI adapter

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833124139

 

[psych0ticnemes1 5,000+ posts]

I have a linksys PCI adapter if you want one, and there's a sale at buy.com or whatever for a usb connecting wireless access for 10 bucks after rebate

 

[theCybe 5,000+ posts]

I'm a 3com fan.

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

First, yes a router is advisable to maintain consisten multi-connections. I prefer Linksys, but many also use D-Link. Wireless is slower than a wired local LAN(100Mbps vs 54Mbps wired G), however an internet connection runs between 1-5 Mbps, so a wireless connection won't be any slower with internet than a wired connection is. As long as your signal is strong you shouldn't experience any drops. Make sure you get a wireless "G" router. That is the fastes wireless class. Your wifi cards on the PCs will also need to be wireless G. If you want to go Linksys here is a good combo.
Router

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833124190

USB 2.0 Adapter

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833124187

or PCI adapter

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833124139

why would i need the usb adapter? i have a wireless card in my laptop. couldn't i run my desktop with a cable and my laptop wireless with that router?