I have signed up to plusnet for my Broadband.  The package I have gone for includes one USB modem which will suffice for the time being, although given my fiance and I have two lappies and an Apple Minimac between us, we would like to get a wireless solution.

A couple of questions.

1.  Will I need an ADSL router which has a built in modem aswell? or will a router suffice?

2. I do not know which one to go for ... price is really an issue so something cheap that will provide excellent value for money.

3.  I will need two USB Wifi adapters to accompany, can you recommend something cheap that will do the job?

4.  I need a wifi NIC for the Apple MiniMac, can you suggest something that is cheap and good value?

Once again, many thanks for all the help already received!!!

Much appreciated

1.Unless the modem has ethernet out, which i dont think any adsl modem does you will require an adsl router with modem built in.

2. dont really know what is best never dealt with adsl routers

3. i would recommend a wifi adapter with a good aerial, i have used quite a few useless wifi adapters that cant hold a connection because of a crap aerial.

4. Not sure what you will need for a mac mini, hopefully there is an option that isnt propietary.

Am thinking I would want to go for 2 x USB options.  One lappie is USB1 the other USB2.  As for the Mac Mini, well it has USB ports, not sure what I need?

Router = Netgear DG834G

nuff said.

The Netgear ADSL modem/router/firewall looks pretty good.  Could you please recommend USB wireless cards which will work with it ... one for a PC with USB1 and one with USB2 (I am guessing the same card will work on both).

Also, need to get a similar USB thingie for the macmini ... can anyone help?

Many Thanks

Quote from: mrtA couple of questions.

Cant count?

Quote1.  Will I need an ADSL router which has a built in modem aswell? or will a router suffice?

If its a USB modem then buy a modem router

Quote2. I do not know which one to go for ... price is really an issue so something cheap that will provide excellent value for money.

I have a 3com wi-fi one that came with a free notebook card which is adequate for home or small business use.
 

Quote3.  I will need two USB Wifi adapters to accompany, can you recommend something cheap that will do the job?

Have a look at Aria.co.uk and ebuyer.co.uk I tend to use the cheapest.

Quote4.  I need a wifi NIC for the Apple MiniMac, can you suggest something that is cheap and good value?

not my area, suggest you email them or wait till someone else comes up with an answer. With USB you will need a driver that might be supplied or you might have to hunt it up.

If its your first wireless network then make sure you read up on security and have software firewalls on all computers connected, just in case someone manages to get in. It will also prevent any viruses spreading across the network.

Dont the mac minis come with built in wireless network? It seems to suggest so on the Apple site. Have a look: http://www.apple.com/uk/macmini/whatsinside.html