Newbie net nirvana

[bobcaskey]

I have @home w/ a Com 21 cable modem. It is connected to a 266Mhz PC w/ 96 MB RAM. I also have a Dell 7500 Inspiron laptop w/ 96MB RAM that I want to network in my home. THe Dell has a USB port. The Dell laptop is used on a network at work and I use dial up on the road. I want to be able to set up my home network so that I can "plug in" my laptop at home with no hassles. While I MUST have good throughput to take advantage of the cable modem, I'm thinking of using phone line networking. Am I off base here? Does USB offer good enough throughput? Or should I just bite the bullet and buy a Linksys Router? BTW, should I get the 1-port or 4-port Linksys router?

Obviously, I need some basic advice here.

Thanks,

Bob

[richardc]

I am not sure about about the USB part, but if you are happy with your on the road speed, you should get at least that speed with a telephone link system. As it is a laptop, you would have the advantage of being able to use it almost anywhere in your place you can find a phone jack. I have Linksys and am quite happy with it. the quality of your telephone wires is also a factor. e.g. old or new wires, noise etc.