To avoid futzing around with my laptop's network settings, I use an
Asus WL-330NUL pocket router. One of its modes is a "private wifi network" where it is the access point. I turn that on and my devices can easily connect to my laptop. It does a lot of other useful stuff too, such as sharing a cabled connection or a single wifi connection found often in hotels. Finally, it can be a fast cabled connection for my laptop that doesn't have an RJ45 port.