Windows 7: Please Recommend a set up for my home/office system...

I was hoping someone could recommend what would be best for me to do here I'll explain what I have currently and then what i'd like to achieve and hopefully someone can offer some advice?

2 systems:



System 1:
Desktop PC - Windows 7 x64

System 2:
Laptop PC - Windows 7 x32

What i'd like to achieve.

I have DSL and my Laptop currently is plugged in to the router. However I also go wireless.. occasionally.

I want my laptop to be able to access my desktop and hopefully also have my desktop access my laptop.

I used the homegroup at first but since I put the ethernet cable into the laptop I no longer have the homegroup places... they do still show up under network though.

I've tried streaming music through the wireless and its real slow...

Should I have my laptop plugged into the router at all times for decent speeds? When I do should I disconnect it from the wireless router?

What configuration would be best for my needs?

Another thing i'm thinking about doing is running Office on both computers and whether or not there is a way to sync them... I'd like to have my contacts and emails synced...

Thanks!

First advice - don't use homegroup at all, rather classic sharing method.

Wireless is well more than enough to stream any type of music format there is. Even uncompressed DVDs and Blu-Ray! Speed should not even be a concern. If it is, something is wrong. We could perhaps configure the router and/or adapters better.

I don't know about syncing Office but knowing Microsoft and their corporate customers, this is definitely something they'd want. So 99% sure it would be possible.

Let us know if/when you would like help with any of that. It may be a little bit of a process for you to undertake but once it is all setup correct, you will be very glad about it. Set it and forget it as I say.

The only way to share/sync Outlook contacts and email is to have an Exchange server. The only way supported by Microsoft I should say. There are several 3rd party apps that will allow you to sync though. Maybe someone else could suggest something.

Thanks guys..

TorrentG, It seems hard to believe that you could stream BluRay over wireless! Maybe my wireless router is no good.. i'm getting it replaced anyway.. So should I use Homegroup altogether? How would I set up my classic sharing properly? There are some files I want to be able to write to one way to the other and some that I don't...As is I can see my computers under network, maybe because of my Homegroups??? But is there a better way this should be set up/ Any tips you might give that I might not think to do off the bat?
thanks!

Ultraplanet,
Is exchange server pricey? What is the best free method?

thanks!

So is all I have to do is right click on the file and go share.. or is there other things I should know about to maximize the speed of my sharing folders...

anyone? im trying to troubleshoot why my network is kinda slow.... is that a windows thing? i'd think I should be able to open a file over my network pretty quick and just stream MP3s between computers no?