No you don't need a desktop computer. But you should get an ethernet cable so you can establish a wired connection between the ethernet port of your laptop and one of the wired ports of the router. With a wired connection, you will always be able to reach the configuration page of the router. If you had only a wireless connection and you are a normal fallible human being, it is highly probable that you will make at least one totally minor mistake while configuring the wireless security, and suddenly the router will do exactly what a secured wireless connection is supposed to do - namely refuse to communicate with any "intruder" that does not present what it thinks are the proper credentials. Obviously if the only means of communicating with the router is wireless, it will be a looooong dark night before either of the devices blinks... So that is why you need to at least have an ethernet cable that you can use for a temporary wired connection in order to regain the attention of the balky router.
dw
I just bought a new laptop and want wireless internet around my room. However, I do not have a desktop. What type of router if any can I get? All I have is the laptop with the built in wireless card, a cable modem, and a belkin wireless g router. Is the desktop connection needed?
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