Possible to use a laptop wirelessly with a wired router?

Hey guys and girls,


Just wondering if anyone knows of any way, preferably cheaply and easily, that I could use my laptop wirelessly, whilst using a wired router?

I have an ethernet wire connected to the router that I stick into the laptop when I'm using it, but it's a bit of a hassle. Would rather not have a wire dragging across the room, etc.

At the same time, as someone who does a bit of downloading and online game playing (via Xbox Live) I like having wires. I just trust them for this kinda thing. I never have any problems with my internet dropping or such, so I'd like to keep the wired router and keep wires running to/from my desktop and Xbox 360.


So, as someone who's not the most knowledgeable when it comes to wireless gadgets and accessories, I was wondering is there anything I can buy to use my laptop wirelessly? Perhaps something I could connect to the router and something I could connect to the laptop, that would interact wirelessly (kinda like broadband dongles, etc.?).


Just a bit lost.


Cheers to anyone who can offer any info or advice here.

Lab_Mouse

I take it your router isnt wireless?Think You might need a wireless router otherwise.

Unless your labtop was built in the jurassic period its network card should be wireless.If not you can buy a wireless network card cheap enough( a usb dongle or a pcmia card).

As for download speeds wired is always generally faster.Over wireless it can be affected by distance from router,how thick the buildings walls are and how many other pc's are connected.

softdancomputer

We need more informations; from what you said, i presume the router isnt wireless capable, nor the laptop.
The cheapest version is to buy a new (modem)/router with wireless on board and a wireless card for the laptop.
if you like the old router, get a wireless AP and connect it to the router.

Hello again

The laptop is a Sony Vaio NS20E/S. As far as I'm aware, it's able to be used wirelessly, but not knowing much (anything) about the whole wireless area, I've never tried to use it wirelessly. Apparently it's "Wi-Fi Certified", whatever that means.


The Router I'm using is wired, and hs TP-Link wrote on the front, and under that, "Cable/DSL Router - TL R860".


My Router;
http://www.tp-link.com/products/productDetails.asp?pmodel=TL-R860

My Laptop;
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/sony-vaio-vgn-ns20e-s-506502/specification



softdancomputer, this wireless access point you mention sounds interesting. Couldn't share some more info? What I need to use it etc.? (Googling it now)

softdancomputer

Right, it looks like the laptop is wireless enable (draft-N), so you need an access point to hook in the router or a new router (i will recommend the last option)
Cant give you advices about the Ap, all major players do them; netgear, syslink, belkin etc

Would this do the job?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/D-Link-DWL-1000AP-Wireless-LAN-Access-Point-802-11b-/130410960541?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_Networking_SM&hash=item1e5d19569d

I assume I'd just need to connect it to the router (like my PC, 360, etc.) and go from there?

Or this, even?


http://www.mymemory.co.uk/Networking/Sitecom/Sitecom-Wireless-Broadband-Router-54G-%2B-USB-Adapter



Don't really want to spend a lot..

corkcomp

Deleted User wrote: »

Would this do the job?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/D-Link-DWL-1000AP-Wireless-LAN-Access-Point-802-11b-/130410960541?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_Networking_SM&hash=item1e5d19569d

I assume I'd just need to connect it to the router (like my PC, 360, etc.) and go from there?

Or this, even?


http://www.mymemory.co.uk/Networking/Sitecom/Sitecom-Wireless-Broadband-Router-54G-%2B-USB-Adapter



Don't really want to spend a lot..

the ebay one would do nicely or maybe not, just spotted no power supply so useless

dlofnep

Deleted User wrote: »

Would this do the job?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/D-Link-DWL-1000AP-Wireless-LAN-Access-Point-802-11b-/130410960541?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_Networking_SM&hash=item1e5d19569d

I assume I'd just need to connect it to the router (like my PC, 360, etc.) and go from there?

Or this, even?


http://www.mymemory.co.uk/Networking/Sitecom/Sitecom-Wireless-Broadband-Router-54G-%2B-USB-Adapter



Don't really want to spend a lot..

That has no power adapter and is 802.11b, which is slow and out of date. I'd highly recommend just to buy a new router. You'll get a new router for less than 40 euro.

dlofnep

dlofnep wrote: »

I'd highly recommend just to buy a new router. You'll get a new router for less than 40 euro.

Well can i get a router that allows me to use it wirelessly and wired? (I'd like to still keep my Desktop/360 wired).

And if so.. could you recommend anything?


Thanks again for all the help everyone. I really must learn some of this stuff.

dlofnep

Yes, all wireless router's give allow you to connected wirelessly and wired.

This one is fine: http://www.komplett.ie/Komplett/product/ZKB_01COM/18_NETWORK/14_ROUTER/productdetails/20000097/NETGEAR_Wireless_Router/WGR614_900PES/default.aspx