Yes, the subnet is the same.
Router :192.168.1.1
Desktop :192.168.1.2
Laptop :192.168.1.3
Subnet Mask :255.255.255.0
and as i've mention i cannot ping from the desktop to the laptop and vice versa. but i can ping the router fine from both the desktop and the laptop. i am assuming that this particular router does not have this feature. Enlighten me on this, please