This is one of those situations where there is a lot of compatibility of equipment even when they use different standards. Basically, here are the main things to know: 1) You need one, and only one, wireless router. An N router is probably the best choice for you, and would typically be backwards compatible with older technologies. It will handle your computer connections, printer connections, and other wireless systems, if you have any, like game players, or streaming video boxes like Roku players. 2) If you want the old Dell to connect wirelessly, it would likely need to have a wireless card added to one of the slots...not very expensive. Or you could continue to have it connected with an Ethernet cable to the new router. 3) You will need one computer hooked up by Ethernet cable to the new router to set up your system. Then it can be disconnected and used wirelessly afterwards if you want. 4) Your printer should be compatible with your router, and that varies among printers. If you have an N router, it would also likely interface fine with a b/g standard as well as N printer.

Thanks all. I really appreciate your input. I'm leaning towards the Belkin N600 Wireless Dual Band router. I currently own a Belkin and have never had any trouble with it, so figure I'll stick with what I'm happy with. The downside is all of the reviews without fail mention how bad tech support is no matter what brand you get. I wonder when companies are going to wise up and realize that is one reason folks don't buy their equipment.

All in one = modem and router in same box SB6141 is modem only. I have its predecessor (6121) and it's been fine for the past few years. (a modem is like brakes on your car, they either work and all's well or they don't and you have a problem). I think Motorola makes decent modems. If you get that, you'll need a router too. I prefer separate units, but either separate or an all in one will both get you where you want to be. The all in one's I've worked with have been only mediocre at both tasks, I try to get better function with better separate components. DOCSIS is simply the standard used for over the cable communications. Think of it as a language, like Spanish, all the connections need to speak the same or compatible languages. As an average user, you will NEVER detect a difference in a such a small number version difference, no need to wait. DOCSIS 3.0 is reasonably current, capable, and works fine to speeds that are in excess of most people's connections.

Golddust, Too fun-nay! I have my very 1st Mac - an SE30 (this is an all in one with a black and white, 9-inch display, for those who need to brush up on their Mac history ;-) - sitting right next to my Mac G5 (earlier version of the Mac Pro, the current mama of all Macs), that I'm typing this on. I have no doubt I could fire that 21 year old baby up tomorrow and it would run like a top - S-L-O-W - but it would run ;-) Got the original keyboard, mouse and cable, and I bet if I looked hard enough I could find the software somewhere around here, not sure about the manuals ;-) I'm terribly interested in your BIL's baby - do you know how old and what size his monitor is? Mine is the largest sold at the time (approx. 8 years ago - yep, I'm using an EIGHT YEAR OLD, albeit top-of-the-line, Macintosh and it runs better than any PC I've ever used, period, the end), a first generation 30" Cinema Display and I use it as a TV/DVD/DVR too - is he planning on using it this way or has he already got it set up? If already set, I would really enjoy hearing the specifics or, if not, I can make recommendations based on my experience (and would provide an email addy if you want to take this off-forum, JLMK, I don't work for any software or hardware company, just so you know). BTW, all of the software I use, even the ancient OS 9 apps mostly fill my 30-inch Cinema Display. I suspect there is a display settings change needed. I'm running (an older) OS10.4.11, aka "Tiger" (so I can keep my OS 9 apps, even though most are laughable crutches at this point), but I've been using this Mac since "Jaguar" and the software has always mostly filled the screen. The current Mac OS, for those trying to keep up, is Snow Leopard, LOL! If I could justify or luxuriously afford an iPad, I'd probably get one, but I've got an iPhone, and it's very efficient for how small it is, so I'd probably opt for the Macbook Pro instead, if I could afford/needed it, even! As I said above, my 8 yr. old G5 leaves nothing to be desired except an Intel chip to run newer apps and mobility. But it won't be long now... ;-) Oh, wait, my car will be 10 yrs old next year, LOL! natal, Glad you got what was best for you - it really depends on your usage and comfort when choosing a computer, even for PC users *roll eyes* *snicker* J/K