Question on Acer Aspire
 

With Dave's christmas bonus we are looking at getting Acer Aspire 9300-5317 Notebook (BIG selling point to me is the 17 inch screen and the 10 key on the side)

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod..._5317_Notebook

my question because while I know a lot, I dont know everything. If you get a laptop thats wi-fi capable, do I still have to use my wireless usb thing, or does it work with just my wireless router?

Yes, the ad implies it has the radio. "Capable" might only imply it has a slot for a radio. According to the page you posted that model does have an 802.11b/g radio so you can connect to your b or g router via radio, or with an Ethernet cable. No wireless USB thing needed.

Give it a try first if you can. I bought an Acer last year that wasn't as good in person as in the specs. I suppose the same goes for any brand these days.

go to hp.com and get a dv9000z. You can customize it to the same specs as the Acer, it's only $54 more, and it's MUCH better. Acer's support is also craptastic, whereas Compaq has always been excellent for me.