General

[quote=yomamma1134]So I currently use my landlords wifi and its very inconsistent as I get random lag spikes and its very irritating when I play online games. I'm thinking of buying a cheap modem to directly connect the internet to my laptop. I have an Ethernet outlet (or whatever its called) in my room and was wondering if this would be a good solution as well as suggestions to what good cheap modem i should buy (preferably under $40).[/quote]

An ethernet socket doesn't require a modem because if it's connected to the Internet there's a modem somewhere already connected for it to have Internet service on it.
All you do is plug an ethernet cable between the socket on the wall and the LAN socket on your computer.

If it's actually a TELEPHONE socket, you do need a modem, but you also have to sign up for (and pay for) Internet service through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to connect the phone service to the Internet at the other end. Like was said above, the ISP usually provides the modem as part of the service or there may be a separate charge for it.

It has to be your own telephone line though for you to get Internet service on it on your own ISP account. If it's a shared phone line with the rest of the building (your socket is just an "extension phone" that rings when the other phones in the building ring), whoever pays for the phone service has to be the one who signs up for the Internet service.

You,re never going to get a good modem for <$40

The modem is usually free with 1 year contract u just pay the start off fee which is around there. Then 30$+ from basic internet a month.

Edit. unless if u already have internet at ur house u dont get internet by just plugging in a modem to the socket lol. You need service from a company.