Linksys seems to be the most popular,
followed by Dlink.

There are many others that are just fine & some way much better for way much more money. Usually the $40 deals are discontinued or obsolete models... which are quite usable for most people. There is a new wifi which isnt quite mainstream yet but eventually will replace the 802.11G with 802.11N which also do G for people with old stuff.

Being that you are new to wifi, $40 sounds fine - however; if the isp supplies a router it may be programed such that you may not be able to hook another router to it and then you would want a wifi access point that doesnt do routing, maybe a network switch too,,, depends.

~
In a home with multiple computers usually the isp supply's a combination modem/router,,, if they know you have a laptop they would normally supply a modem/wifi_router. Free at install with no monthly rental provided you agree to an annual contract... which usually have a provision for a $100 or so early cancellation fee with return of the modem/router.

I have the $39 Netgear wireless g and have it set up as you describe yours will be. I can use my laptop (the wireless connection) anywhere in the house and even outside on the deck. My modem and router are upstairs in a small bedroom/office. This one serves my purposes completely.

By the way, be sure to set up security on your network. I found the instructions with the Netgear very easy to follow.

Some ISP's provide the wireless connectivity as part of their normal modem. I have Verizon FIOS and the wireless is built into their normally provided router, no extra cost, just part of the system. It does both wired and wireless. Check around and maybe someone in your area does the same.

I want to stay with the same isp that I've had for years. They are really great. Plus I have webspace with them and I don't want to lose it.
Here is what it says for the service that I want:
All plans also require either a $10 monthly equipment rental fee or $500 up front cost for equipment, in addition to the installation fee listed. Persons wanting to connect multiple PCs will be subject to either a $5 monthly rental fee, or be obligated to purchase a router.
I think it would be more economical for me to buy my own router instead of paying them $5 a month.

My ISP provides a wired router as part of the service.
I told them I would need their modem/router set up in
bridge mode so I could use my own wireless router.

If they supply just a modem then you can use any router.
If they supply a modem/router then it needs to be
set up in bridge mode to bypass the router part of it.

At $5/month a router would pay for itself in less than a year.
I'm using a Belkin wireless router. Cost me about $40.

Pooh Bear

I would assume you have the $19.95 dial up account.

I looked earlier and found you use a local Independant service provider whom is giving you a Time Warner IP.

And from reading their web page pricing on residental wireless you're going to pay $10 monthly for the wireless connection equiptment rental,,, plus at least $29.95 monthly for the slowest wireless , 256k. Thats $40 monthly for slow.

If you havent done so you may want to inquire from other isp's for a Cable or DSL connection. You may be able to go faster for cheaper even keeping your $20 monthly dial up. GVEC is expensive for slow wireless connections as are most other wireless isp's.

My area has cable connection specials for $19.95 monthly which includes at minimum the modem/router. They would give you a wireless router for free here because you have a laptop. There's No monthly equiptment rental fees.

Verizon is big in Texas and has a no phone service required DSL. Apparently Time Warner is there too, your isp is using them.

if that makes any sense.