Constant Connection Reset Errors?

Basically, no matter what browser I'm using (I get the error in IE, Firefox, and Chrome), it usually takes me 5-6 tries to load any given webpage, and even then most of the time the formatting's screwed up, pictures don't show up, etc. I'm using a new(ish) HP laptop that's maybe about 20 feet from the router. The router itself is hooked up to the desktop computer, which never has this problem. My wifi signal is strong, and the indicator in the tray never drops below "excellent" signal strength even when I'm repeatedly clicking refresh. Power cycling the router doesn't work. I've cleaned out caches and histories, even uninstalled and reinstalled browsers with all necessary updates, and still nothing. I called the cable company that provides my internet and they're convinced it's not on their end. It doesn't matter if anyone else in the house is using the desktop with its net connection at the same time I'm trying to use mine. Theirs works, mine doesn't.

But here's the really weird thing: I had this same problem with my previous laptop.In both cases, I can take the laptop other places (school, coffee shop, etc) and never once experience this issue.It seems to have cycles where it'll be fine for a little while (maybe hours, maybe days), and then for a few hours or days at a time I just want to give up and go read a book or something.In IE, I typically get a standard "this page cannot be displayed" type error. In Firefox and Chrome, I tend to get more specific "the connection was reset" errors, often immediately upon hitting refresh. Sometimes the page will try to load, and "Sending request" or a similar message will appear in the status bar before everything craps out. Just as often, the page will appear to be very slowly loading, then parts of it will load but most of it will be an Error 105 message (In Chrome: "Error 105 net::ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED): Unable to resolve the server's DNS address.") Doesn't matter what page it is. Google, Facebook, my school's library portal, reddit, Amazon, doesn't make a difference.

The only other thing I can possibly think of is that it's the router itself that's bad. It's a generic deal that doesn't even have a name; the manual I had to scour Google for refers to it only as "11g Wireless Security Router." But that still doesn't really tell me why the desktop connection works like it should (unless that connection is completely bypassing the router; I'm rather clueless about these things).