buying first wireless router help

firbyfred

I need to buy a wireless router for a second computer upstairs and I am not quite sure what I need to look for.
The main computer is down stairs next to the telephone point which is a BT adsl filter type one. So doesn’t need to be connected wirelessly, can it still be a wired connection with a wireless router?
The broadband speed into the village is fairly low about 486 kbps, does this affect which router to go for?
Do I need anything else for the new computer upstairs for the connection?
Some of the routers are expensive, I saw these 2 which are more in my price range would they be any good?
http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=132926&sku=47850
http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=255117&sku=Q77393

I have looked at various specs. But it does not mean a lot to me.
Thanks for any help

albertross_2

yes
no
no if you buy the one from the first link, which comes with an adapter.

make sure you encrypt it.

firbyfred

albertross wrote:

yes
no
no if you buy the one from the first link, which comes with an adapter.

make sure you encrypt it.

would it do everything I need?

albertross_2

yes ................

unless you are wanting to plug a printer in, or have really thick walls

cledor

albertross wrote:

yes ................

unless you are wanting to plug a printer in, or have really thick walls

You can still share printers connected directly to either of the PCs, you can also share folders between the PCs.

A more expensive solution is also available where you can connect the printer directly to the router via a print server, or buy a network printer.

firbyfred

cledor wrote:

You can still share printers connected directly to either of the PCs, you can also share folders between the PCs.

A more expensive solution is also available where you can connect the printer directly to the router via a print server, or buy a network printer.

So I could share folders etc? the printer is about 4 years old, would both computers need to be on to share/print documents? using the router from the first link?

cledor

firbyfred wrote:

So I could share folders etc? the printer is about 4 years old, would both computers need to be on to share/print documents? using the router from the first link?

Yes no problem with the printer age, as long as its drivers are supported by both PCs.

Yes computer needs to be switched on to allow its printer/docs to be shared. Otherwise you'll need a network printer as indicated in my earlier post, there are also network drives available if you wish to access data without switching on the host PC.

firbyfred

cledor wrote:

Yes no problem with the printer age, as long as its drivers are supported by both PCs.

Yes computer needs to be switched on to allow its printer/docs to be shared. Otherwise you'll need a network printer as indicated in my earlier post, there are also network drives available if you wish to access data without switching on the host PC.

when you say network drive would a more expensive router do this?

cledor

firbyfred wrote:

when you say network drive would a more expensive router do this?

Network storage is usually on external unit which plugs into your router Ethernet port and I doubt if there are any wireless routers available with built-in storage devices.

Most of the available routers are similar in design and your choice would probably have no bearing on the future expansion prospects of a network by the addition of network storage drives.

Take a look here for examples of some of the network storage units available:-

http://www.netgear.com/Products/Storage/NetworkStorage.aspx

madpom

firbyfred wrote:

The broadband speed into the village is fairly low about 486 kbps, does this affect which router to go for?

Look at the Thomson Speedtouch Routers - the ADSL Modem they use is better for noisy/long phone lines and is more stable than most. I have a noisy phone line (3-4miles from the exchange) and swapping an expensive "top-of-the range" Draytek to the Speedtouch has given me an extra 1mb in speed and more stable connections. I got mine from DSLDepot - they're "factory refurb" items hence really low prices. A "new" one is approx £55 delivered (Link)

firbyfred

madpom wrote:

Look at the Thomson Speedtouch Routers - the ADSL Modem they use is better for noisy/long phone lines and is more stable than most. I have a noisy phone line (3-4miles from the exchange) and swapping an expensive "top-of-the range" Draytek to the Speedtouch has given me an extra 1mb in speed and more stable connections. I got mine from DSLDepot - they're "factory refurb" items hence really low prices. A "new" one is approx £55 delivered (Link)

I like the price! will it do everything that I put in my original post?