I haven't been into the networking game since early 2000 and I am a bit behind the times. I am looking to buy a wireless router but there are way too many options out there. I need it to have 3-5 "wired" ports on top of the wireless, other than that I just want one that has good quality and performance. Price isn't a huge factor as long as it has the "Quality" part of the equation. Any help appreciated! Trolls feel free to chime in I could use a good laugh.
For general user grade wireless routers, you may as well just pick one. They all do essentially the same thing. I have had about six of them. They dont like power cycling, a few power outages and you can expect them to start failing. Our last one stopped working within 2 months. We ended up getting a Cisco enterprise router for the server rack, and repurposed the 'dead' netgear router as a straight access point (no routing) And this is prettymuch across the board for sub-100 dollar wireless routers.
Yup, for the normal consumer. The differences in this range tend to be nerdy 'ish like how easy is it to own the firmware and all the zany antics that comes along with that. I don't really care about that stuff. Belkin is the only one I won't buy again. Build quality issues. I have a Cisco soho router now (linksys, basically) and haven't had too many problems with it.
in personal exsperiance i have had good luck with dlink and linksys. Currently running a dlink gaming router a older one so only have wireless G but is gigabit wired. I know both companys have alot of options out there for a reasonable price now days.
linksys is made by cisco now so the quality is good, buffalo is also rated as one of the top routers. You can get into one for like $80. I dont know how good you are with networking or computers but i would get one with dd wrt. If i was to pick one, id go with buffalo first and then linksys.
So basically they are all made with components found in an xbox 360 expect them to grenade at any time and keep them plugged into a surge protector/back up power supply? My current setup right now I am using some old POS pentium 200 tower running coyote linux off of a floppy disk and I have a netgear 10/100/1000 switch I picked up for dirt cheap. It does the job but I'd like to pitch the old computer/switch and get something smaller/simpler. Another question, is it worth it to go with the dual-band wireless N or no?
Pretty much. Like an XBOX don't be surprised if it soldiers on for years while another person who bought the same model from the same place on the same day will be shopping again in a few months.
dual band n is not necessary for what you want to do. Its nice but its also the most expensive.. if your not doing hd movie streaming or downloading/uploading massive files 24/7 theres really no need for a dual band N router. Just a regular 802.11 N would be fine. I use 802.11 G in my house and stream netflix and game all the time and have 0 issues. I also use qwest 1.5mb internet. Your internet will play a role too.. if you only have 1.5mb coming from qwest, and N router isnt going to do anything for you. If you have comcast, N would be best. Are you going to be running a laptop or desktop? Desktop you will need a wirless N card or just plug it in with your cable.
Basically I'm going to be using it for portable wireless devices and my PS3. The wired ports I need to connect PC's as the wires are already there is no need to make them wireless. Thanks for all the info everyone, it has helped me narrow it down quite a bit.
As long as its runs dd-wrt I'm happy. I have had good luck with the Buffalo Tech routers. ^Ditto with what he says for dual band N otherwise get a single band N. Those Buffalo Tech ones run about $30-$40 last I looked. I got a Asus RT-N-12 recently and it seems fine and was in that price range.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320076 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833162034
if your in the cities... hit up microcenter. youll find good deals there but dont let them sell you the junk. i built my comp there and zach is the guy who helped me out.. knows his stuff. Just be careful if your going to be driving your wrx there... a kid with an eclipse who works there will probably try and race you lol. if not, newegg is the way to go.
