Can't Get Connected To Internet

I have a netgear wireless router in my study room which i use when working on my desktop PC. However, I have bought a laptop, which connects to Internet okay when in the same room as the desktop but if I want to work in my lounge in the evening, the signal is too poor. Is there any other method I could use to get on the Internet away from the router.
I have been told that there are steel girders in the walls of these flats and that will be what is blocking the signal. What about these dongles? I have no idea what they are or how to use them but perhaps someone could help a poor technophobe. Thanks in anticipation

 

Is your router wireless G or N standard? You will be able to tell by giving us the model number. Normally a flat is not large enough to have a range issue but I suppose it is possible if the walls are truly steel.

 

It is G standard. Until recently I lived in a house and never had any problems no matter where in the house i switched my laptop on. This is a highrise building so, apparently, full of steel girders. I seem not to be the only one here with this problem but I would like to find a way to work with the laptop in a room other than where the router is.

 

For the strongest signal you would need a wireless N router. That is your best chance of getting a strong enough signal.

Where standard 802.11b and 802.11g routers contain just one Wi-Fi radio and antenna, wireless N routers contain two or three radios specifically designed to maximize Wi-Fi range.

 

DSTM is absolutely correct. There is one thing to keep in mind, however, and that is the age of your computer. Obviously it has a wireless card but it may not be N standard compatible. Any router that you buy will be backwards compatible so that an N standard router will work with a G standard card. It is easy enough to tell by checking your network devices. It should show as 802.11 (b/g ) if there is no n and only b/g you will not get the best results from upgrading your router although if you get a decent N standard router it should help. Try getting one with dual antenna's.

In fact, have you tried moving your current router a few feet and see if that makes things better?