If your computer does not have an SD Card reader, than yes you will need that. But yes take those steps. The app needed for the wii u to install from sd card is WUP installer.
As the guy above you stated WBFS is for wii games only. The wii u formats the USB drive and only the wii u can recognize that drive now. You need to use an SD Card to install games to the USB drive.
This discussion again.... I think it's a different generation. More people are concerned with online features and fear of getting banned to even think about "CFW"