XP laptop... to play movies on tv

[Guest]

I will be getting a Gateway laptop with XP Home. It will be a turion 64
processor with 64mb shared video card and a gig of ram. What else would I
need to set up my laptop to either:
a) connect to my tv and play whats on my laptop screen? or;
b) have a wireless connection (within my house) so that I can access my
files on my desktop through my laptop, anywhere in the house?

 

[Guest]

a) TV-out capability usually defined in the specs for the laptop before you
buy. This can be difficult and costly to setup otherwise since it's a
laptop. Ask a sales rep before you buy that laptop if you want this
capability.

b) Assuming that it's a new laptop, it should have wireless capability
built in. If it does, then all you need is a wireless receiver for the
desktop. Usually in the form of a USB wireless adapter for less hassle in
terms of setup. Otherwise, you'll need two of these.

 

[Guest]

a) Here is the laptop and a pretty detailed specs. Ill also ask the sales rep
though, unless you can tell me whether or not it already includes tv-out. If
not... What is it? A video card with a/v cables that simply hook into your tv?

b) Which one of these (
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/class.asp?logon=&langid=EN&catid=7668 )
routers will work for what I want to do? As far s I knew, routers only
provided internet access to all the items hooked up or accessing it. I didnt
know they could allow each connected computer access to each other. Is this
possible? Can you explain this to me or show me a site that does (in somewhat
basic terms)?

 

[Guest]

a) You didn't give a link for that laptop.

b) Actually, I was thinking just the PCI Card/Adapter for the desktop
should be enough. This is one of the USB things that I mentioned:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10045828&catid=

If you have a router set up, then it's basically like a little network
inside your house. File sharing isn't all that difficult after that.