Ok tech peeps, Router question

[mrbret]

We just got hooked up with RoadRunner for the internet but dont have WiFi so what is a good & not $$$ WiFi router to get that will work with RR etc?

[jblosser]

4 'major' brands: Linksys, D-Link, Belkin, Netgear

Does anything you have that uses wifi have the ability to use the 'N' standard? If not, I wouldn't bother, although most routers made in the past 2 or 3 years are 'N capable', so you may not have a choice.

I had a D-Link router and pcmcia laptop adaptor 7 years ago, the router puked after a year.

I've had a Linksys WRT54G since, no problems. 95 out of 100 people are gonna tell you that they haven't had any problems with Linksys gear - I'm one of them. Linksys is (or was, maybe they've been spun off) a division of Cisco.

IMHO, you shouldn't need to spend more than $50 for a wifi router.

[fusion]

http://gizmodo.com/5675479/the-ultimate-router-battle

[jporter12]

For MOST people, any "g" router will do just fine. Only the fastest Internet connections will max out a "g" network. When I had the top residential speed that Time Warner offers, the wireless was too slow for that, but most traffic will be slower than the max anyway, other than downloading stuff.

I have experience with D-link, and Linksys products, myself, and they've both been solid. I HAVE had to reset my D-link to defaults once, but in the 4+ years that I've had it, that's not bad.

[ReconRat]

I've been rocking a NetGear WGR614v6 router for ... dunno, dawn of time I guess. A personal preference since it had a DMZ built in (One open connection with no protection, 3 protected). But the Linksys is fine, Cisco is a good influence on that.

Note: Quite a few of the home routers will burn up much faster if the WiFi is on all the time. Too much heat, I guess. I leave mine off unless I want to use it for something.

[jporter12]

http://gizmodo.com/5675479/the-ultimate-router-battle

Some good info, for someone looking for a top end router. Thanks for posting.

[mrbret]

It's mostly just so we can use our iPhones & her Nook via WiFi, not much else

[jporter12]

I've been rocking a NetGear WGR614v6 router for ... dunno, dawn of time I guess. A personal preference since it had a DMZ built in (One open connection with no protection). But the Linksys is fine, Cisco is a good influence on that.

Note: Quite a few of the home routers will burn up much faster if the WiFi is on all the time. Too much heat, I guess. I leave mine off unless I want to use it for something.

I like the option to have a DMZ as well!

I've never turned off the wireless on my router, since the biggest part of the traffic that goes through it is from wireless clients!

[alienpi]

Yes, good find Fusion: http://gizmodo.com/5675479/the-ultimate-router-battle

I've had the pleasure of setting up many small business/home office networks and I agree that the Linksys is fine, actually I have the WRT-160N and it works ok. I have had some problems with interference and bugs in more complicated environments with the Linksys/Cisco WRT-160N, and I usually solve this problem by recommending a D-Link.

After having set up a D-Link DIR-825 I can say that this D-Link router is significantly better than what I'm used to. The range of the D-Link was amazing compared to what I'm used to with cheaper routers. Here's a review for the DIR-825.

Also the D-Link has a guest internet feature. The guest feature is great for allowing people to use the wireless internet without giving them access to your wireless printers. According to the reviews the DIR-655 is cheaper with many of the same features.

So, I would get the DIR-655, if I was in the market for a new router. In addition I'd order a different set of antennas, like these http://www.l-com.com/item.aspx?id=21679 just for fun. I can say from experience that these antennas gives you a little extra range.

Edited November 21, 2010 by alienpi

[SWing'R]

It's mostly just so we can use our iPhones & her Nook via WiFi, not much else

Just about anything will be fine. I use an inexpensive Tenda router, does just fine.

Hit up MicroCenter and see a salesman, they'll hook you up with somethin and answer all your questions.

This is the one I use, got it at microcenter...

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0316229

[Cheech]

4 'major' brands: Linksys, D-Link, Belkin, Netgear

Does anything you have that uses wifi have the ability to use the 'N' standard? If not, I wouldn't bother, although most routers made in the past 2 or 3 years are 'N capable', so you may not have a choice.

I had a D-Link router and pcmcia laptop adaptor 7 years ago, the router puked after a year.

I've had a Linksys WRT54G since, no problems. 95 out of 100 people are gonna tell you that they haven't had any problems with Linksys gear - I'm one of them. Linksys is (or was, maybe they've been spun off) a division of Cisco.

IMHO, you shouldn't need to spend more than $50 for a wifi router.

This. Linksys was purchased by Cisco a few years back, hence the Cisco branding on everything.

[Strictly Street]

I've used many of the brands mentioned above.

For the most part the differences between them are minor.

For WiFi I also recommend getting something "N" capable as that also usually gets you a couple of other nice to have features. Even if you don't use the extra features and it only adds a couple of bucks to the price.

Here's a link to some of the better prices out there, enjoy.

http://www.pricewatch.com/networking/