However, if you want to go for convenience, for about 100 pound it should be possible to buy a router/firewall/wifi basestation combo with web configuration in a single box, about twice the sice of a pack of cigarettes. Given the price of these combo's nowadays, it can't be beaten for price. And the same goes for convenience. And in a small space, not having the extra fan from the extra computer, sure is a thing to think about.

When I was facing the same choice a few months ago, I went for the small box. In my case, it was 70 euro. You sure can't beat that. Only 3 years ago, a similar box would have costed more like 400 euro. In those days it would have made sense to use a Linux box. I don't think it does now. Unless you want to get your hands dirty, of course ;-)

Liz