What is a wireless router?

What is a wireless router? Should I buy it? Can I use wireless modem?

I went to buy a router yesterday and all I saw was wireless. Is wireless for wi-fi? Or can it be used with regular cable internet? I don't have a wi-fi signal where I am, only cable internet. Have wireless routers replaces non-wireless? How is the router wireless? Does it run on batteries? Can I hook my internet cables to it?

Next most important question, should I buy a wireless router? I got a wireless mouse and keypad once as a present and it lasted only three months. I've been afraid of wireless ever since.

Also, if I am going to go wireless, shouldn't I rather get a wireless modem? I mean, can I now skip having a router altogether?

 

Note, I use multiple computers in my home to play online games and want to avoid lag at all costs.

 

Modem router? Now I am confused. I have a modem (separate from a router) that I rent from my internet service (I'm hooked up via cable).

Do they make modems and routers together now?

I have three computers, one is a laptop that does Wi-fi. The other two hook up to cable. I live in a tailor size ranch home.

I went to purchase a router and discovered there were three types: G, N, and N+. The N+ was way to expensive but it advertized that it was for multiple gamers. I need a router so we can all game at once. Nice, online, laggy games. For the games to work, WILL I HAVE TO GET AN N+ ROUTER???

 

The games will work with any of those wireless router types but will all have more lag than connecting via Ethernet cable to the router.

You need a cable router for cable internet not a modem router (they're to connect to 'phone line ADSL), think of wireless as a bonus feature.

 

Sorry to be anal, but if I understand this right, I can get a cheep G and it will not hurt our gaming? Because my game computers are ethernet only. The laptop, only wireless I have, does not run games nor do I want it to. I do, however, want it to not suffer an ethernet connection (so's my roommate can take a crap and read his email at the same time; yeah, yeah).

Or another way of saying it, I can get a wireless G router (low grade) with ethernet ports and so long as my gaming computers stay hooked on cable I will not lag anymore than I already am? Even if all three PC's are running at once - the wi-fi checking email, the two ether-connects simultaniously running Massive Multplayer Online Games?

 

If your internet connection can handle the traffic, you shouldnt have problems.

 

What is your opinion on the motorola surfboard? Using a modem/router put together, is that a good thing?

 

In the end I bought the cheapest wireless router I could find, a Belkin (G). It has run like a charm and I get no more lag than I'm used to. Thanks for the help!

Games I play: Mabinogi (has alway lagged when school lets out) & Fiesta (no lag at all).