Cable modem / router recommendations?

Separate components are the way to go...you'll be able to upgrade the wireless router when new technology becomes available. Both Linksys and Netgear are good brands. You shouldn't go wrong with either. Linksys is a little more configurable if you're a techie but Netgear has some nice easy of use features. Stick to one of these two brands...

Can't comment on the cable modem as I have 5 MB Fios and love it.

Do you have a cable outlet near the 2nd floor PC? You'll need it unless you're going to install a wireless card in it or run cat-5 cable from the router.

If you go the wirelesss card route in the PC you may want to consider getting a draft N router. Much faster and has longer range. It is 30% more expensive though but you are set for the next 4-5 years if you want to expand the use of your network to video/audio streaming, etc. Don't know what brand of laptop you're getting but Dell is now including N technology in their new laptops.

Rack fixed kit is impressive isn't it? =] Linksys has numerous company or "company" products that are no longer displayed on the Linksys internet site. yet Linksys does make a "ok" modem. some modems in effortless terms have a shelf existence of two-3 years. The Motorola products are not to undesirable. I particularly recommend finding with the aid of newegg, they have numerous rack fixed routers and networking kit.

~Life is much easier if you go with an ADSL router/modem rather than seperate units. Just plug them all together switch everything on, setup the internet from any computer and run the network connection wizard on all machines. I like Belkin routers,used a few of them and never had a problem, very simple to setup.

sophisticated step. lookup over a search engine. this may help!