Hi everyone. Thanks for your posts. I've read them all several times. I don't see my newest post, so I think I did a "reply to author" by mistake. Anyway, sorry for the delay in responding. My PC was down for a few days.
Sorry, but I may not have been clear in my OP. Basically, my wife wants to use her laptop to go online to browse and stream video while I am simultaneously using the main desktop computer. Internet access for the laptop is my primary objective. What I really want is to be able to quickly and easily allow or disable wireless internet access to the laptop on an "as needed" basis. I don't want to have to reboot anything. Meanwhile, I want to keep the main desktop computer always online via the wired router. I want the peace of mind a wired router offers. I don't want to have to worry about the neighborhood kid hacking me or siphon my bandwidth. If necessary, I'd be willing to pay more for hardware that allows me to quickly turn access on or off via a button, as opposed to having to plug and unplug something. (That said, I'm sure I could rewire my own switch into the power line of whatever hardware I get.)
I have been assuming the only way to give the laptop wireless internet access is via the router. However, if there is a way, perhaps by a USB wireless receiver (much like my wireless keyboard/mouse) then that's something to consider so long as it doesn't badly degrade the desktop PC performance or badly limit the bandwidth for either. (I realize even a router connection will mean available bandwidth is shared.) All things being equal, I'd prefer to be able to network the laptop and desktop together wirelessly, but as long as I can get internet access to the laptop, then it's not critical for the laptop to be able to talk with the desktop PC.
I've done home networking but I'm still a newbie. I think I'd like to stay with the LINKSYS brand because it's mainstream and (in theory) more reliable and more supported than an off brand. Also, my router and modem are LINKSYS and, as much as I love NewEgg, I can buy LINKSYS locally (walmart) so if it comes DOA it will be easier to return.
Rambo: Thanks for steering me clear of the WAP54G. I DO want internet access so the WRT54G may be the way to go...
Dans, Bill Kearney: So it sounds like I should just use a stand-alone wireless router but make it dependent on the wired router for its connection by way of a Cat5 cable. That way the wired router is always on, but then I can still turn the wireless router on or off on an "as needed" basis. Am I understanding correctly?
GlowingBlueMist: Thanks for the tip, but for reasons listed above I think I'll stay with a mainstream brand.
Peter Pan: I'm not sure which LINKSYS product you're referring to. Many models seem to have the 54g tag.
Thanks everyone. I've always gotten good advice from newgroups over the years and I'm always grateful to those who take the time to help. Again, I'm sorry for my delayed response.
Jim