The easiest way for a newcomer is just visit the store & get a complete Home Networking Set for about $80.00, they do 2 PCs & have everything you need. But you have a laptop, so that’s going to require a special card.
Hi to all - long time reader, first time poster
I’m hoping one of you gurus can tell me, but Linksys has a new version of the EtherFast Cable/DSL Router (info here http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=160&grid=5) that has only 3 10/100 switch ports, but has a USB port in place of the 4th 10/100 port. I’m about to buy one for a new cable modem that’s being installed tomorrow, and I like the idea of being able to cascade my printer and scanner off of the USB port so anyone on the home network can access them.
But is that actually how it would work? Would the users that are plugged into the network ports actually be able to access and share any of the devices plugged into the USB port, or would I need some type of a print server too?
Thanks for any help.
I dont know about USB thats plugged into the hub, but if you share them anyone can access any hardware plugged into any machine over the network.
Welcome! 
**
Good thing you asked now, because I think the answer is no.
From Linksys’ website:
I think that they are bragging about how you can network your PC with this product even if your PC does not have a NIC; you can network through the USB port.
Which raises the question: Why bother? As I understand it, USB networking is slower than 10-BaseT. If so, considering that a reliable NIC can be had for less than $30, I think it’s worth going the NIC route.
Unless, of course, I’m wrong. 
Would someone notice the difference in speed between these switches you guys are talking about and a hub?
I have a hub and I am getting two IP addresses from my cable company ($5 a month for the extra IP), so I figured that should be easy enough.
PeeQueue
For the OP:
Speaking from experience, the thing that best meets your needs is probably using the internet connection sharing that comes with Windows. It is cheapest because you already have the software, you only need a spare NIC for each PC and a crossover cable. You could get a hub, but you said you only have 2 machines to hook up. It is easy to set up, you just add Internet Connection Sharing (under Internet Options) in the Add/Remove Programs (Windows Setup tab) section of the Control Panel on your machine. Windows will make a disk for you to take to the other machine that will set it up. It won’t provide a built in firewall, but you will still be able to transfer files and share a printer once you have the computers connected via the crossover cable. If you want to expand later and add another computer, you can buy a hub at that point. You do have to leave the computer with the DSL connection on all of the time, though.
Since this thread is near the top again, I would like to thank everyone for there advice. Got the DSL hooked up to computer one without much trouble (DSL Rocks!!!).
On to computer 2…
::Trip to Bestbuy::
First I tried MS internet connection sharing, after much screwing around, I couldn’t get it to work :(. So I went and bought the Linksys router ($99 at Bestbuy) several of you recommended, took it out of the box and it only had one ‘out’ connection :mad:, after reading the instructions (new concept), I figured out I bought the wrong one. Another trip to Best buy for a Hub ($40) and I was all set, Um, now I need a cable to connect the hub to the router :mad:. Yet another trip to best buy :rolleyes:. Once I finally got all the right stuff setup was relatively easy and now I am happily using my DSL on 2 computers, and as a bonus I can print from computer #2. Thanks again.
To answer PeeQueue’s question above, a network with only two computers should see almost no performance increase with a switch over a hub. Even networks with a handful of computers won’t see much of a difference unless they’re heavily loaded.