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The option that is as yet unexplored is to upgrade the laptop to 802.11n . The n spec does provide huge gains in terms of both range and throughput, but you'll only really see those in a greenfield network (ie, all devices on the WLAN are n spec). If the laptop only has an 802.11g adapter (as most of them do) then you may be able to solve the problem with a simple USB adapter.
At the risk of upsetting the fanboys, I'll say that I don't think the WRT54G is the optimal solution here. The problem is that you're still on the old spec, and anything that's 802.11g isn't going to gain you any real benefits in terms of range. While it's true that you can set it up as a repeater and gain some range that way, repeaters should only be used when absolutely necessary. Furthermore, with 50 and 100 mbps connections coming down the pipes in most parts of North America, upgrading your network Just Makes Sense.
So that's what I'd do. If the laptop is already draft n, or if a USB adapter still doesn't solve the problem, then adding a repeater is still a back-up plan.
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I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said
- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame
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