Maximum Wi-fi Distance

[djcj]

First of all, apologies if this is a stupid question or in the wrong forum.

I am thinking of investing in a laptop and a wireless router so i can surf the web in my back garden over the summer months. Do some wireless routers/wireless cards in laptops have stronger signal/reception than others?

The only time i have seen wi-fi used was in my aunties house and she could barely get a signal in the very next room supposedly due to "thick walls". Is there any way to guarantee i can pick up a signal in my back garden? I would hate to go out and purchase a laptop and then not be able to use it for the sole reason i bought it for.

All advice, info and personal experience would be greatly appreciated

 

[djcj]

Right, just done some reading around (including the sticky of this section which i should have done first). I'm now looking at buying a wireless N router and adapter to try and ensure a good range to allow access in my garden.

My next question is........is there any big difference between a D-Link DIR 635 and a D-Link DIR 655 router. The 635 variety i can pickup quite a bit cheaper but will spend the extra if the 655 has a better range/distance.