I'm very excited. I just came back from Dunkin Donuts. I think of everything as a learning experience. And the people around my neighorhood are very friendly.

So I'm sitting at a table in Dunkin and there's a young guy (well, younger than I am), sitting with a laptop and he's doing all kinds of things. And the laptop is plugged into an outlet in the wall.

I then asked him if he minded if I pick his brain for some info because I was thinking of getting a laptop (I can't EVER get on my computer at night because my husband can't do anything else, he has to keep off of his foot, so he hogs the computer.

This guy had an HP DV 2000 with a 250 hard drive, a 3 gig Ram and Vista.

I asked him the basic questions about "what if I bought one to use in my home (in addition to my desktop). He said 'Oh I do this all the time", "just buy a router, plug it into your modem at home, and you can go anywhere in your home and use the laptop.

I know that if my desktop dies on my, I can simply purchae the laptop and use it INSTEAD of the desktop, that it will plug directly into my modem.

However, this is not what I want to do when and if I get enough money to buy a laptop.

I want to be able to sit in another room, (When Alan's on the desktop), and I want to be able to go on the internet, make videos, WHATEVER.

So from what I learned this morning, when I am ready, I go to the store, buy the laptop, buy the case, buy the warranty, and buy a router.

The router (which he said should cost no more than $40), well, I plug the router into my dsl modem.

Okay, here's some questions I forgot to ask the guy.

I just looked at the dsl modem. WHERE DO I PLUG IN THE ROUTER?

I saw a usb port, and another round red hole. in the back where all the other things are plugged into.

So where do you plug in a router?? (He also said the router has some kind of antennae (I think he said this).

So how does the Laptop get the signal from the router?

If I am in the kitchen with the laptop do I plug in the electric power cord into my kitchen outlet (so I don't drain the battery in the laptop)???

Is this how one is able to use a laptop that is not directly connected to the dsl modem in the computer room?

Also he showed me an AIR CARD, which he called a portable modem.

He said "If this Dunkin Donuts did not have WI FI and I can't get any signal, then I just insert this here (he showed me), and I can get a signal". He also said "I pay $60 a month just for this privilige".

I said "I will not be doing this, I don't want to pay anything per month just so I can use a laptop, I won't be bringing it out of my house, I just want to be able to go on the laptop in my kitchen (or anywhere else in the house), and piggy back it off my dsl modem."

So he said: "then all you need to do is get the router, hook it up to your dsl modem and you can take the laptop anywhere in your house."

So before I get all excited, can you please answer the following questions.

Exactly where on my dsl modem do I plug in the wireless router??

And how does the Laptop pick up the signal?? Is there any wire(I know, stupid question, but I like to be sure before I do stuff), so I gather there's NOTHING that attaches the Laptop to the router, right??

So if I bring the Laptop to the kitchen, do I have to plug it into the wall to use it (I don't want to drain the battery). I gather that in order to turn it on, it needs some power source (either battery or plug it into the socket), right??

This guy showed me that this HP Laptop came with a built in webcam and speakers. He brought up the webcam software and I saw us on the video on the Laptop. It's crystal clear. So I said 'so I can continue to make my own videos like I do now and I can upload to youtube??"

He said 'Everything you do now on your computer, you can do on the Laptop"

Then he said "And when I'm not using it, I just close the top and it goes on Standby"

So if you can answer my idiot questions, and I save my money, I shall THEN be able to buy my laptop.

Thanks much to you all.

Melody

the router plugs into your computer,then the modem plugs into the router. the router has a bunch of ports on the back.

the router has 2 short antena's on it. it sends the internet signal to the laptop. like a radio. depending on how far you need to or want to send the signal will depend on what router you buy.

the batteries are rechargable. just plug in the laptop. they should last 3 hours or more on 1 charge.

you can find inexpensive laptops on craigslist. i wouldn't go the ebay route unless the shipping was low.

my son got a really good dell on craigslist for college for under $200.

Okay, let's see if I got this.

When I'm ready I buy a laptop and a router.

I go home, I unplug my dsl modem from the back of my computer. I take the router plug, and plug THAT into the back of my computer.

So now I'm looking at this square gadget with a bunch of antenae sticking out of it. This is the router. The router has all kind of ports. I take my dsl modem plug, and plug it into one of the ports. (which port, is it usb??)

did I understand this correctly?

then Alan can go on when he likes, and I can take the laptop into the kitchen and turn it on.

Oh here's one you didn't answer. DO I PLUG THE LAPTOP INTO ANY ELECTRICAL SOCKET? I don't want to use the battery on the laptop. It has to HAVE SOME KIND OF POWER SOURCE RIGHT?? Either the battery that's inside, or you plug it into an electrical socket. Like what the guy did in Dunkin.

Or does the Lap just turn on by itself. (I'm a bit confused here). I believe that if I DON'T WANT TO USE THE BATTERY THAT I SIMPLY PLUG THE LAPTOP INTO THE KITCHEN ELECTRICAL OUTLET, right?

Thanks, Mel

P..S. Does the router have an on/off switch, like the dsl modem???

some pictures here-
http://www.longviewcomputercenter.com/blog/router.jpg
http://kbserver.netgear.com/images/n101668_image01.gif
http://www.cguy.net/wireless_network...connection.jpg

always plug the modem into the plug that is by itself {diff color too}

My Dlink router has a built in antenna so it doesn't show.

most newer laptops have a built in wireless set up so if you are close to a wireless signal it can connect.

You can use the laptop with the battery in but still have it plugged into an outlet - that will keep it charged up all the time.

mel, the router i got came with a cd to explain everything. it even had a sticker covering all the ports to run the cd first. it really did explain everything.

yep has an on/off switch.

plug in the laptop when not using the battery.

the port is the ethernet port onthe back of your computer. the same port that your dsl is plugged into now. it kinda like just adding something in between your computer and your modem.

good links jo. ty.

So I buy the laptop and the router.

I unplug the dsl modem thingee from the back of the computer, and I take the router plug and PLUG that into the back of my computer.

then I take my dsl modem and plug THAT into the port of the router.

I then take my laptop into the kitchen, plug the electric thingee into the wall outlet.

I turn on the laptop and then I CAN DO EXACTLY THE SAME THING I DO WHEN I'M THE DESKTOP!!!

Did I get this all right?

thanks sOOOOOO MUCH.

mel

you got it mel.

Thank God.


I thought I was going senile!!!

lol

Can't thank you enough.

Can't wait to see what I'll learn by the time I turn 70. That is if I'm still around by then.

Take care,

Melody-Bells.
lol

Buy the laptop (I am on my second Mac right now, sitting on the couch, not plugged in, and wireless with my Linksys router) and the router, and just follow the instructions! It will be easier than it sounds. If not, you usually can contact the router company for help. You could set up both computers on it so hubby could move his to another room if you like, but he would probably have to get a bluetooth device to make it wireless.

I do not recommend spending your good money on an extended warranty unless it will give you good support service too. Most repairs and issues become evident early on. This is one reason I go with Apple, as they offer a care plan that allows me to contact them directly for help if I need it. The other reason is speed and power . . . when I went back home for a visit and used my brother's laptop (non-Mac, but don't recall brand) it was excruciatingly slow! Another reason is the Apple computer is tops for artistic applications. . . . and I am an artist!

But the #1 reason I like Macs is that they are much less likely to succumb to a virus than a PC. I never have to spend my time patching and cleaning up virus damage. However, so as not to sound like I get commission or something. . . . enjoy selecting your new laptop computer! I would buy it from a reputable dealer, and beware of buying online, where in some instances I have heard you may get little or no support if there are problems, even straight from the box. Know your dealer.

I would never buy one second-hand. I had my first Mac laptop stolen, and the thought of someone making a buck selling it on e-Bay makes me ill. . . .

And by all means, do not be afraid to operate your laptop on its battery! I do, as it keeps me more aware of how many hours I have lost to being online each session!!! I use it as a timer for my habit. . . .

Thanks so much Mel for posting this! I couldn't believe I didn't write this! LOL Dh and I have come to a point where we need another computer. I love our desktop, (22in. flat screen, easier to see things) but we have been considering a laptop. We both tend to get hoggish with the computer. I've never had a laptop and don't even know where to begin about getting one! This theard has helped a lot!

I do have one question though. Like you, I want one that will do everything or more than our desktop but there are so many out there! Can anyone suggest one that is in a decent price range and still have the ability to do like my desktop?