Best wireless router under $200 - must have good security and signal features.?

Question

im new to this. i have DSL and wanna use my laptop anywhere in the house. plz give some suggestions. I need one that would last long and have the features as stated above. thank u!

Answer 1

For about $50, go with the Linksys WRT54G wireless router. Linksys is owned by Cisco, the market leader. Linksys typically wins most of the time in terms of reliability, security features, ease of use, support, and other bells and whistles. To confirm, pick up a PC Magazine or similar mag that has test results and/or a comparison. Linksys is usually the editor's choice. I have used Linksys, NetGear and Dlink and I prefer Linksys myself.

Regardless of brand, you must make sure it is "WiFi Certified" and supports the latest encryption standard (WPA2, 802.11i) and beyond that it's mostly marketing hype. Don't believe everything you read online, some folks will say brand "X" is excellent and some will say it stinks. So don't go by one person's experience, when in doubt, pick up a magazine and read the reviews.

Also, don't get sucked into the new 802.11n access points just yet. These cost more and supposedly give much better range and much higher throughput, but real world tests on Pre-N gear have been disappointing, and when the standard is finalized sometime next year, it may become useless, because the standard is a moving target right now.

When the time comes, connect the RJ45 twisted pair cable from the DSL model to the "Internet" port on the back of the linksys router. If you have a wired PC, connect it to one of the other 4 ports on the back of the linksys. If not, then connect your laptop temporarily in the same fashion. The connected machine(s) will automatically get an IP address, likely 192.168.1.100. Bring up your web browser and go to 192.168.1.1 and log into the linksys username/password is either admin/admin or admin/linksys. Configure your router from there, the main part will be under the wireless tab. Select an SSID, and be sure to turn on encryption, best for you is WPA2 Passphrase, if your laptop card supports it. If not, fall back to WPA. Worst case, use WEP, but don't leave it open. WEP will keep your honest neighbors honest, but is easily broken by someone who has the right wireless tools.

Try to place the router centrally in your home if that's an option but if not no big deal. Just don't place it between a pair of metal filing cabinets or in between your fridge and microwave oven! Keep the 2 antennas pointing upright and parallel, despite what the pretty pictures look like with them at 45 degree angles, this stuff all uses vertical polarization.

Anything speed bumps (or brick walls) then just post another question. Good luck.

Answer 2

check newegg.com.. Look for linksys or Netgear. The dsl cable from the modem goes to the router. You then set the router up per the instructions and all that stuff.