What's the difference between a router, a wireless router and a wireless access point?

Love your explanation of the difference between
a wireless router and a wireless access point.

just bought a smart tv:philips 7406.it can project movies from the pc to the pc.i have a stick installed in the pc and a programm installed in the pc.the problem is that it works(projects)not when i want it to work.it works occasionaly and i have no idea why?

So, by definition, whenever some says access point, then they're automatically talking about a wireless capable device, because an access point is, by definition, a wireless device. Right?

I mean, otherwise, a non-wireless access point is just a switch. Right?

Correct. (But a non-wireless access point is actually more like a hub.)

31-Jan-2012

Again ....your explanations are perfect!
Thanks

Good article - I bought my first laptop last month and has to wade through lots of manufacturers info to know I needed a wireless access point. I'm happy with the access point I chose, but maybe I'll regret my choice in the future if my old faithful router fails. I wish you'd expand your "Some things would work, others would not." comment further re using a combination wired - wireless router.

Thanks Leo. Your answers make more sense of this issue to me now as I have a wireless router in my office at one end of the house and a (hard wired) access point at the other end to provide better wireless signal at that end. Interestingly, my laptop in the office picks up both signals but understandably (perhaps) uses the stronger signal (I think) from the wireless router in the office. Pretty clear to me now I guess. Thanks again.

Yes, you have clearly explained the differnces between the Network devices..Gud KIU

Some Wirless Access Points reguire that a antenna, be purchase separtely. And there a various type of antennas (such as omni and bidirectional, etc.).

Excellent presentation of routers-access points-router&wireless combos. I'd love to to see you include devices below to the exposition, using the same style language you used for the above:
hub, wireless hub, switch

Thanks.

@Allen
I believe you are looking for this article:
What's the difference between a hub, a switch, and a router?