Newbie wants wireless

Okay I know next to nothing about networking so I'll need someone to hold my hand through this. When I get my laptop I obviously will want wireless internet, so what I need to know is how to get all this setup. And after looking on newegg for about 30 minutes I couldn't really come up with what seemed to be the ultimate adaptor and router so I could use some help there too, preferably off newegg.
Lastly do I need just a router and adaptor or do I need a wireless card in my desktop as well? Thanks all.

 

If you position your wireless router somewhere near your desktop, most routers have a built-in switch. You can simply plug the desktop into the router. I like netgear, but most wireless routers are pretty OK these days, as long as they support at least 128-bit WPA.

 

Thanks AT, any suggestions for Adaptors?

 

Okay so what's Intel's integrated wireless like?
http://www.sagernotebook.com/pages/notebooks/product.cfm?ProductType=3880
On this above site it states the notebook comes with Intel Wireless 802.11a/b/g, which I imagine most modern notebooks do. But the question is is it any good? As in if I hooked up a router would I be good to go with out buying a separate adaptor? Or is it the equivalent of Intel's ExtremeGraphics on the networking front? So should I save money and just buy a router or get a good adaptor as well?

 

get wireless G, i think there was an enhanced one with 108mbps

 

Yeah it's good stuff, though for dial-up it wouldnt' really matter if I had 2mbs

 

i'd be very interested to hear what people have to say, i like Ex know next to nothing about networking and will be needing a router soon which will need to be wired for 2 desktops and wireless for a couple of laptops, (is there a good modem/router/wired/wireless all-in-one unit out there, i've seen a BT one but was wondering if there's a better one as our current modem cant handle speeds over 512kbps)

 

Okay well I found a good "access point" http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833124012 Now it says wireless so I'm assuming if I had one of these around I could run around with my laptop and be connected all the time? Or is an access point just a range extender that you add if you have a big house in addition to a router? AT where are you man

 

It can be either. You can use it as a standalone router or as an AP/extender. That's the kind of thing I'd place on a seperate subnet behind an existing router.