Dial up to Digital Cable Internet

After probably a total of two hours on the phone with a cable rep I am still confused about connectivity using my local cable company. I do not understand!

I currently have dial-up. I am switching to high speed digital internet/cable/phone. They asked me if I want wireless or hard wire service. How do I know what I want?! I think they told me my tower could be wireless and I would have to network the laptops my hubby and daugther have (and pay more). My daughter says that doesn't seem right because she can access the internet anywhere on campus where she goes to school, even though her router is at the house she lives in.

Or, the way the cable company has it scheduled for now, the tower would be hard wired and my hubbys laptop could have a card put in for $30 if he doesn't already have one.

Can anyone explain this whole cable connection wireless/hard wire/router/modem confusion issue for me? The rep quoted me 4 different prices since my intial call (for the same services), so I don't know if she knows what she's talking about. Or is that a marketing ploy...start out with a lower quote and then "oops", I was wrong...its this amount and then oops again two more times?

Thanks for any and all help. Talk me through this in simple terms as I am simple minded! LOL!

Sandy