Hello!  I hope that someone can help me with what I believe is a
simple question(s).  I need to know what the best product is for 5.1
surround sound and wireless card/router for an Xbox/Live.

I intend to use the 5.1 system mainly for the game Halo 2, and would
like to purchase a 5.1 system that that is an all in one package.  I
use to be an avid Stereo listener, and I still do prefer music in two
channel.  I have seen packaged 5.1 systems everywhere, but would like
to know what the ?best? option is; my budget is around 200 dollars,
but I can be flexible on this.

In addition, I need a router to hook up my Xbox and laptop together. 
I have a Win book, with an available PCMCIA slot for a wireless card. 
Ideally I can have my cable modem plugged in to my router, the Xbox
plugged in via a cat5 cable to the router, and also use my laptop,
(wirelessly/Wi-Fi), while on Xbox live.  The wireless card I intend to
use at coffee shops or airports to surf the web so I need it to be
compatiable with other Wi-Fi networks.

I lastly request that some links to reviews be posted so I can read
others responses on the items suggested by the researcher.

Thanks!

for $200, get anything you can afford. Likewise, PC Card wireless
cards are nearly interchangeable one from another. I'd suggest for
security that you get the GOLD or higher-level encryption. Also
802.11g/b support is probably a good idea.

Wireless router? get what you can afford. Linksys is probably the
de-facto standard, although D-Link and Microsoft each offer good
values. http://www.shentech.com/mibrne10etwi.html is a GREAT price.
http://www.shentech.com/mimn5480wipc2.html is a good price on a PC Card.

This is a free comment.