Ok I know what the MODEM part is (modulator/demodulator) but what is the router part for.
Simpley I want to use a laptop wirelessly and have a desktop PC pluged in

Mate Basically all you need to buy is an All in 1 Modem/router/wireless. ADSL 2+

Belkin/Netgear at the end of the day they are all ok in that price range.

$149 Harvey norman today brother inlaw picked up a netgear N range
http://www.netgear.com.au/au/Product...teways/DGN2000

You need ADSL 2 + MODEM/ 4 Hardwire port / And Wireless for mobile devices

This modem does them all They had $249 on it, He got it for $149 Harvey norman Osborne park

Currently this is the 2nd Netgear modem/router Im using, and I have absolutely not complaints, works sweet.
The only reason I had to buy a 2nd one as I gave the first one to my parents to use.

I run 4 Netgear DG834's, soon to be 7 and I have some issues with them dropping out and needing to be reset occasionally at two sites but overall they do the job well for the $.

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Arguably my Automobile is Awash with Alliteration - Subaru Sti S202

Most Belkin/Netgear routers are no good for torrents. They will bottle neck your download speed or shit themselves all together, losing internet connection.
It's possibly something to do with the memory of the modem(?) Im not entirely sure why, but as stated previously, Billion seem to be the better choice for P2P.

I download torrents at great speeds while doing normal surfing with my Belkin no problems at all

^^ i beg to differ.. I'm running a netgear router at home (Telstra Supplied) and generally torrent at 8-9MB sometimes a bit faster. Has no impact on me streaming music and browsing the net at the same time either.

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Senior Terrorist Operative
Perth-Wrx

Yeah i have done that on my belkin, I also have the posted netgear dgn2000 as a backup modem incase this one fails.

but I have used both with out a problem

yep i torrent on my belkin n1 vision 24/7. Get a full 1.8mb/s

good thing with belkin as well, it has a lifetime warranty.

Yeah i Saw that as well hey, got to be happy with that.