what about the wireless adapter on your laptop? did you set it up properly. Also, access your router and check the wireless status so you can see if it shows 11NG and the speed should be up to 300 (if your laptop can handle N speed otherwise it will show 54 or 108). My wife has a laptop and I can outside in the front of the house and pick up the signal from my office. The DIR 615 is for about 1,000 square feet, not the biggest but plenty form me.