I think the main issue is the concrete wall, as everywhere else in the house I have usable bandwidth. I do get better speeds on my phone than on my laptop, so it could be the radio in the laptop as well.

I could hardwire out here, but the cheap computer doesn't have ethernet port. So looking for something like a repeater or range extender that I could add to the network to bring a stronger signal to the garage. I've been out of the loop of computer tech for well over 10 years. I'm still using a desktop I built in 2005 as my primary computer. But I had to buy a laptop for my brief stay at another employer, and bought a $200 chromebook which now is entertainment in my garage smoking lounge.

I can get a decent signal in one spot. But, that's not a spot close enough to the exhaust fan to keep the smoke from creeping into the house, so would like to find a way to move.

I know that Comcast and Verizon offer range extenders for Wifi.

You could probably pick one up at Best Buy or Tigerdirect for less than getting it through them.

Pro

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item_upsell.asp?EdpNo=753472&msg= 

Just not up to date with what's available for extending wifi range.

Could easily run a wired terminal to the garage, but need conversion to wifi to use with this laptop.

Several years ago someone I worked with was wanting something similar, though still within his house not a particularly long distance from the router, and we tried two different wifi to wifi range extenders but it didn't seem to make a difference and had issues with the computer switching connection between the stronger extender signal and the weaker OG signal.

Just looking for somethine plug n play that works.

Buffalo Routers makes some killer routers that are dependable and work where others won't. Price points are good too. I had one for years in my basement and I could be at the end of my 120 foot long driveway and still have a good signal.

I'd love to blanket my property with signal especially while mowing and stuff to avoid burning up my data cap. I placed my current router in the middle most point of the house, 35ft east'west, 15ft north/south and 15ft top/7ft bottom. Garage is attached and included in those numbers.

Overall property is 400x800ft but wifi signal barely breaches the house. Would love to blanket my whole yard, considered placing a high power router in the attic, but again don't know where to start shopping.

Have Comcast install the additional hard-wired connection in the garage. They could split it from the outside directly off the pole.

Frankly it sounds like your flux capaciter needs new dilythium crystals.... either that or replace the ball bearings

You'll assign the same SSID to the access point and so you can find it an IP address outside the range you're using for DHCP, or give it a DHCP reservation if your router can do that.

always finding a way to work them balls in there, eh?

I guess now I know how it sounds when I explain medical treatments to my patients. ..

Used to be computer literate but have fallen at least 10 years behind by now.

Don't go cheap...get what works. You'll be happier.

Also, if you want to hard wire your garage, you can buy a USB efhernet adapter.

Yo're welcome to call me. Before I switched over to law enforcement I was a network engineer. Would be happy to chat with you and give you some ideas.