Help choosing a USB equipped router

hi all

right now my with my setup I have a crossover cable connecting my laptop and desktop which is great for file sharing. running a bit low on HD space on both machines so I have been considering throwing a USB HD into the mix. I'd want one computer to still have access when the other one is off and visa versa. I was thinking about buying a wired router that has a USB port on it for connecting HD's and USB memory keys. The thing is I have no idea where to look! There are just too many company's and not all of them broadcast the fact the router has USB. I'm going to pcworld in a couple of days but I'd rather get a good deal on the interweb.

Does anyone own a wired (or wireless I guess) router with USB and does it work well?

Cheers

Cameron

 

or get a HD which can be connected to the network through a normal network connection?

 

I get what you mean, but I dont have a network here in my room, all I have is two computers connected to eachother with a cable. I'd have to create a network with a router if I wanted to do what you suggest (I think ).

edit: I'd also like a USB HD since its a little more flexiable that a network one, so I can easily take it to other computers and friends houses for example)

Since I myself was pretty confused while typing my initial post I made this diagram to show what I mean (yes, I find the summer hoplidays THAT boring), the top diagram is what I have and the bottom one is what I am proposing. thanks!

 

well, you need to get a router anyway

problem is, i don't know whether there are routers with USBports around
and, if there are, whether they support to ad a HD
good luck with the search anyway

 

You can attach the USB to your desktop and use windows file sharing to share the drive. Also get a wireless router and now you can share the files without wires and jump into the 21st century. GL

 

Asus WL-500W

http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=12&l2=43&l3=0&l4=0&model=1277&modelmenu=1

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320011

The First 802.11n Multi-Functional Wireless Router
Draft 802.11n compliant, fully compatible with 802.11b/g
Suitable for seamless multimedia stream
EZSetup for network security - Automatically configure SSID and WPA or WEP encryption
Plug-n'-Share hard drive function via USB 2.0
ASUS Download Master - Download anytime even when the PC is off or disconnected

 

I want my laptop to be able to access the files on the hard drive when my desktop is off. I thought a wireless one would be pointless since both machines are on the same desk, I do have a seperate wireless network for internet so I am very much in the 21st century

 

First time I ain't the one recommending Asus WL-500W or WL-500G Premium
That's a good one and runs 3rd party firmwares if needed.

 

Thanks for the input! Just bought a WL-700gE, the one with the 250GB HDD installed. I think I might swap it out when it arrives for a larger one. It's cool it has a print server too and FTP is a bonus