How do you choose a wireless router?

Question

I just got a laptop for graduation, and now I want to get a wireless router so we can use wired internet on the desktop and have wireless available for my laptop. How do I go about choosing one though? What are good brands to look at?

Answer 1

The major three which are available nearly everywhere and are loved by those who use them (sometimes) are
Linksys
Dlink
Netgear

There are others which actually are better routers but just are not as well known and are not as widely stocked.

Buffalo Technologies --- really good, have alot of capablities that normally are only available on much more expensive units. Like offering one with a VPN end point server!

AirEpoch -- nice routers, even have the ability to setup local on board radius validation if you want to run a hot spot
Both of these are slightly more expensive than the major three. but both offer things the others dont. Both of these have higher output power and better receiver sensitivity (tanslate better range) than the major three but you do need to set them up properly.

In most HOMES one from the major three will do a good job. Linksys probably sells more and has more failures than Dlink but nearly everyone knows the name!

Answer 2

Lynksys is about the best. Make sure you get one that is compatable with the laptops wireless card. It's probably wireless 'g' but I'd double check. Good luck.