Wireless routers etc... help!

bc3000

Ok, my laptop's due to arrive tomorrow (finally!) and obviously I want to get the internet on it.. I have no clue how wireless routers work!
My questions:
-how much should i be spending? ideally it would be around £30..
-how do i tell if it's good or not? what brands are good? what specs should i be looking at?
-can i automatically connect to wifi areas e.g. in cafes? how does it work? what do i do?!?!

I'm not bad with computers but I've got NO experiences with laptops lol. Any help will be appreciated, I know nothing.. literally.

Thanks! (might have to edit with more Q's)

Edit: are these good?
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131771
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Wireless-VIRGIN-Router-Super-G-eXtended-Range-108Mbps_W0QQitemZ140242170726QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item140242170726&_trkparms=72%3A12|39%3A1|65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14.l1308

mdbarber

Those are very different products the first is for broadband over dsl(BT wholesale lines) the second is for a broadband over cable setup.
The first appears a bargain ,the second average price. used a couple of dozen different types and not really spotted much in quality between em tbh
WiFi hotspots are varied in type some require an account to use so that would depend on the hotspot
Most broadband providers now send you a free wifi router so you may not need to buy one

bc3000

mdbarber wrote: »

Those are very different products the first is for broadband over dsl(BT wholesale lines) the second is for a broadband over cable setup.
The first appears a bargain ,the second average price. used a couple of dozen different types and not really spotted much in quality between em tbh
WiFi hotspots are varied in type some require an account to use so that would depend on the hotspot
Most broadband providers now send you a free wifi router so you may not need to buy one

I'm with Virgin Media, and I just called them up to see if I could get one free and they just told me I had to buy it for £40; just looked on their website, and it's £40 unless you have a L/XL broadband package thing, which we don't

What should I be looking for?

foreversomeday

Who are you getting internet with? (BT, Tiscali, Talk talk?)

Do you have a BT line (including talk talk home phone and things like that) or a cable line? This is important in choosing a router!

Apart from that, I wouldn't worry about the specs - chances are unless you live in an old house with thick stone walls, any wireless router will do!

WiFi hotspots in cafes - you usually have to go to the counter and buy time or ask for the password.

Your laptop will have a wireless connection manager (It will appear by the computer clock) and you can click on it and it will show you what networks are available - any unsecured with a good signal, you can connect to.

In a cafe etc if you are having problems someone who works there should be able to show you.

foreversomeday

Oops, didn't see your reply! You need to make sure you get a cable router, not a modem router. Apart from this anything goes The £40 one might actually be quite good.

bc3000

foreversomeday wrote: »

Who are you getting internet with? (BT, Tiscali, Talk talk?)

Do you have a BT line (including talk talk home phone and things like that) or a cable line? This is important in choosing a router!

Apart from that, I wouldn't worry about the specs - chances are unless you live in an old house with thick stone walls, any wireless router will do!

WiFi hotspots in cafes - you usually have to go to the counter and buy time or ask for the password.

Your laptop will have a wireless connection manager (It will appear by the computer clock) and you can click on it and it will show you what networks are available - any unsecured with a good signal, you can connect to.

In a cafe etc if you are having problems someone who works there should be able to show you.

Ahh.. ok.. so why the big price difference in routers?! i've seen some for £20 and some for nearer £100! i don't get it!

bigkasper

Sounds like the package you are on is cable but best to check before you buy the router, does it come throught your bt landline or from its own socket on the wall saying NTL??
if its through a bt line 40 is not bad as you get a netgear dg834g router which you could search for if you want.
If its cable 40 is overpriced there are 10 on ebuyer alone that are less, Netgear, linksys and belkin are simple setups so would be a good choice for a novice.

Hope this helps

bc3000

bigkasper wrote: »

Sounds like the package you are on is cable but best to check before you buy the router, does it come throught your bt landline or from its own socket on the wall saying NTL??
if its through a bt line 40 is not bad as you get a netgear dg834g router which you could search for if you want.
If its cable 40 is overpriced there are 10 on ebuyer alone that are less, Netgear, linksys and belkin are simple setups so would be a good choice for a novice.

Hope this helps

I'm pretty sure it goes to a box in the wall saying Telewest blah blah...
thanks!

mdbarber

If you only plan to use the one lappy on the broadband you only really need a wireless access point, just saying cos they probably going quite cheap by now as not many uses.
PS you could always try calling virgin to tell them you are moving to bt for broadband that is if you are out of the getout of contract period. a bluff usually gets a freebie