Wired or wireless?

tumbletots

Hi,

I hope someone on this site can help as my son is driving me mad!!! You have been my saviours in the past.

We have a computer downstairs which is wired in to the internet. We have a laptop and iPads which we use wirelessly. My son would like a computer for Xmas with the idea of having it in his bedroom and using for gaming only. Would he have to use it wirelessly? I was speaking to BT today on something completely different and they said that you could buy a cable from PC world ( Ethernet I think) and just plug it into the socket.

Can anyone shed any light on the above so I can stop my son going on and on!! 16 year old boys! Don't you just love them!

closed

You can either wire it up using an ethernet cable, which would have to run from the router to the room upstairs, or

http://www.ebuyer.com/store/Networking/cat/Network-Devices/subcat/Powerline-Adapters

but wireless is easiser/cheaper/minimal running costs if there is a wireless signal in the room - test with a laptop

wireless adapters either plug internally, or into the usb socket of the pc

flashg67

3 options I can think of - wired, with an ethernet cable from your router to the new PC - means trailing a wire through the house. Wireless - the new PC will likely have wireless included, if not, a cheap usb wi-fi dongle will do. Or, by using homeplugs - you need two of these and they use your home wiring to transmit the signal (dearest option though).

If he's gaming online, make sure the wireless signal is good in the part of the house the PC will be in, or be prepared for tantrums if it's too slow, or drops!

Personally, I can recommend homeplugs but look for the 200mbps or 500mbps versions. I use them because I need a reliable signal for homeworking and the wireless signal in my office is a bit iffy.

Good selection here - http://www.ebuyer.com/search?q=homeplug

tumbletots

Thank you both for your quick replies. I will have a look into your suggestions.