I've never done anything but connect 1 computer directly from my cable modem.
 
I'm looking to now have a wired connection to my desktop pc and have a wireless to my laptop.  What's the easiest way to set this up?

Will a regular wireless router work as well with a wired connection?

Yes.
 
Grumpy

Yeah, just go to walmart or bestbuy, someplace like that, get a wireless router, and set that up to shoot out a wireless signal, on mine it has a small hub/switch on the back, and shoots a wireless signal through my house.  
 
Just make sure you set up some form of security.  Preferably WPA, or WPA 2.  But WEP would be better than nothing.