Yes you can use a router like a switch. Most of the Routers
today act like a firewall, switch, router, and some also act like
a modem. Obviously you would want a wireless Router for
you laptop to access the network.
This is the wireless Router I own
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=6
you might want to choose the wireless G for high speed data
transfer for swapping large files back and forth to any other
computer on the network. If you do online banking and other
stuff on a shared computer you want to consider buying a
Wireless Router with WPA encyrption for the wireless side.
This along with other steps would be needed to secure your
network from others gaining access and snooping around.
Good Luck.