Another option in this category is made by 3Com. The home networking option that has been around the longest is also the simplest and the cheapest. If the computers you want to network are in the same room, or an adjoining room, that's not a big deal. But if they're on different floors of your home, you might want to think twice before directly connecting the computers. Many kits are available for those who decide to hardwire their computers together.
Prices tend to be lower than for kits that network through phone lines.
If you want to use your laptop on the patio, you might want to think about creating a wireless network. Although more expensive and generally not as fast as other types of networks, it's hard to beat the flexibility wireless offers. The Aviator 2.4, made by WebGear, claims a range of 1,000 feet outdoors and up to 500 feet indoors. The Aviator uses 2.4 gigahertz radio signals to move data, rather than wires. WebGear says the device will move data at speeds of up to 2 megabits second, although product reviews suggest actual performance may be closer to the 1 megabit per second offered by the AnyPoint device.