Networking a G5 dual 2.5ghz and a Powerbook G4/550 (Gigabit Ethernet)

I have two macs. A PowerMac G5 dual 2.5ghz with 2 gigs ram. My other one is a Powerbook G4/550 (Gigabit Ethernet)(with PCMCIA Slot). I have the G5 at my desk and the Powerbook upstairs (about 100 feet by walking 40 feet as the crow flies. I have a 115 year old house with unGodly thick mortar walls that make any networking a challenge so I do not want to guess. I want the best networking solution afordability wise and efficiency wise. Mobility is not that big of a deal and speed of data transfer is paramount. I also do not want slow download or transfer speeds on either machine. I don't transfer mush from BIG MAC to small mac but the internet thing (SPEED) is important. I do movie and music editing on both and maintain a web site daily with tons of each on it. Should I wire the thing to avoid slow wireless speeds and what all do I need. I know my laptop (Original Airport) speed is 11mbs. but I can't seem to find any comparison to ethernet wired speeds. I have DSL and no airport card and don't mind wiring if the speed is lots better. Can someone straighten me out or point me to the andwers? Please? indigorob