would i be able to have the speaker in a different room to the laptop for example or even outside in the garden without having the laptop outside?
If your laptop has bluetooth connectivity , then yes you could do that, even when having shower/bath as they are waterproof.
As a rule the distance for class 2 or 3 bluetooth devices is 33ft (10m). Bare in mind the distance can be reduced if if obstacles are in the way such as a wall for example.
The sound quality of these speakers will be superior to those on your laptop and range in price from £75 to £200