Wireless Broadband advice needed

brassmonkey001

Hello.
Work have supplied me with a laptop to use while I'm away with a broken foot. It has Wireless and Bluetooth capability apparently, but they've only supplied me with a cable for the phone line. I have ADSL broadband to my computer upstairs (a Mac) but I would like to be able to use the laptop downstairs without trailing wires about the place.
What do I need to get? And can you please supply some links to give me a better idea of what I need as I'm not very clued up with computers.
Will there be any issues with using both a Mac and a PC?

albertross_2

One of These:

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopSearch.asp?CategoryID=80

Assuming that the MAC has a network card, then you should be able to plug that into the router, and use the laptop wired or wireless at the same time.

Make sure you encrypt the wireless signal.


http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=2471408&postcount=37

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=2471410&postcount=38

brassmonkey001

Thanks Albert.
I don't have a network card though. I need to get one of those as well then? Is there a bundle available, preferably cheap?

brassmonkey001

So, having read up on it a bit more, I think I need:
A router that plugs into the phoneline and sends and receives wireless signals about the place,
A card that you slot into the laptop which talks to the router
and something to plug into the Mac to talk to the router as well.
Is this right?

Won't the laptop talk to the router without the card?
The Mac only has USB 1.5.6 slots (it is rather old) but I have a USB 2.0 hub connected to it and it is currently on OS9.2.2 soon to upgrade to OSX. Will this work?

BillScarab

If the laptop has wireless connectivity built in you won't need to get a card for the laptop. How old is the Mac, I would have thought that it would have a network card built in already?

If you tell us the exact model of Mac we would be able to find out if it had a network connection built in.

You need to get an ADSL modem/router which replaces your current router not just a router.

I've not used one but the Linksys WAG354G is the cheapest and Linksys are normally OK.
If this is only a temporary thing until your foot is better I wouldn't spend a fortune. Pick one of the cheaper ones form the link Albertross posted.

albertross_2

brassmonkey001 wrote:

So, having read up on it a bit more, I think I need:
A router that plugs into the phoneline and sends and receives wireless signals about the place,
yes that's an adsl wireless router.

A card that you slot into the laptop which talks to the router
if it has wireless built-in, you shouldn't need one
and something to plug into the Mac to talk to the router as well.
Not a mac expert, doesn't it have a wired network port?
Is this right?

Won't the laptop talk to the router without the card?
if it has wireless built-in, yes

The Mac only has USB 1.5.6 slots (it is rather old) but I have a USB 2.0 hub connected to it and it is currently on OS9.2.2 soon to upgrade to OSX. Will this work?

A mac expert will tell you if you post the model

colin79666

You will need a wireless router/adsl gateway
you can just plug the mac into the router eithernet port and the laptop can be wireless

brassmonkey001

It's an iMac G3 350Mhz with OS 9.2.2 and it dates back to the last century!