starting over w/ wireless & need help

Ok, I am a teacher but believe it or not I know SO little about wireless routers. I did, way back when, then disconnected & I'm starting over. here's what I have
- desktop
- laptop ( HP6700T)
- laptop (my son didn't receive it yet)

What I want to do:
- desktop connected to modem (cable), done already

- connect my laptop (not even set up yet) wirelessly
AND if possible connect a wireless printer/all in one
which has also not been purchased yet b/c I dont know
what I need)

- connect my sons laptop wirelessly

QUESTIONS :

what type of router to get that will allow me to do all of that?
(I am only aware that I should stay away from N)

Can I do this with ease ? I can find my way around the computer,
the internet, shopping banking etc. but technical terms, NO WAY !
I've read all threads on this topic and many were foreign to me.

If I can't have all of the above, my primary concern is wireless printer/fax
If that will be too difficult for me, then I will simply bring my laptop to my all in one !

Misc: both laptops have/will have vista premium
My son is only 12 and does basic computing (no gaming/minimal as of yet, I do none, just basics word processing, photos, shopping etc)

Thanks in advance to anyone who might be able to help me !

 

The idea is you have to connect cable modem to a router (instead of that desktop), then a router will share the internet to any computer through wire(LAN cable) and wireless(802.11a/b/g/n).

So it's like every computers have to connect to router in order to use the internet.

a router with Wireless LAN support, everything that has Ethernet port as WAN port, so you could use to connect with your cable modem
For example, Dlink DI-624, DIR-615

For routers that support Wireless LAN-n (802.11n), it's alway supported 802.11b, g or a too. So don't worry. IMO, a newer router is more friendly in term of GUI.

>> It's very easy to do, just plug cable modem in the router. Then you have to get in the router and set up wireless network (wizard available) .. Everything almost works automatically

>> For sharing printer, it's depending on your model. If it's ethernet supported already, just plug to router, then its driver will do the rest for you. But if it's just regular USB/parrallel printer, you need to have print server. Anyway, it has a wizard for you.

>> The point is you have to have Ethernet port /WLAN to connect to the network, then you will be all set.

Hope this help When you got a router, just ask again.

 

As stated above all this is extremely easy to do.
NewEggs top rated router here would work fine
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190

I would imagine once you open the package you'll find a simple graphic diagram showing how to connect everything.

For printer sharing since you don't have the printer yet you're in luck. Having a dedicated Networked printer saves from having a host PC turned on.

The most complicated task you might have to do would be if you want to secure the network, if you are in a location that network "sharing" might be of an issue, I'd recommend it. It's still pretty easy to do.

 

This is going to be the biggest problem. MF devices that are not designed for networks will only function as a printer with some luck. So adding a print server to the existing port (usb) does not always work. You must buy a MF printer/scanner that is design for the network in order to get the needed drivers. I would look at HP's SMB (small medium business) hardware. They do make them. I would shy away form a wireless and go for a direct connect (lan) to the router. This will give you the best speed and performance. I would also boost the ram in the printer too. This would allow for the job to be off loaded to the printer, speeds thing up. For incoming fax's no problem, just connect your phone line most support ring tones if you only have 1 line. Outgoing will require your to dump to MF(fax) and it to send. This is the reason you must have a MF device that supports networks. With out it you will loose, fax (out going), and scanner capability to send to your desktop.

Good luck on these network devices, they are not very cheap. If you have a desktop PC that is on 24/7 you can share the printer on it. But again that pc must handle all of the scanning and faxing functions. This is the workaround for lack of driver support. Printing will work but not as fast as a network printer.