What kind of Wireless Routers should I buy?

Question

I am using High Speed Bell Sympatico internet service. I need internet connection on other home computers too.

Answer 1

Linksys Router. And you might want to also get the Linksys Expander for Wireless-G (even if you get the wider range router).

Whatever you do, DON'T mix brand names if you're buying both a router and an expander/extender

Answer 2

There are three major manufacturers: Linksys, DLink, and Belkin. There are also other smaller, lessor known brands.

Now, the one suggestion I offer out is that whichever router you choose, also use that manufacturers adapters if at all possible. The reason for this is simple: Even though we are suppose to be able to mix and match adapters and router hardware devices, the truth of the matter is we are not all the way there yet. We may be some day able to truly use Plug and Play as it is intended, but currently we have far fewer issues and problems when using hardware for networking from the same manufacturer.

Another reason is if you have issues with your router and use their adapters, you will not have that manufacturer sending you off to the adapters manufacturer and vice versa.

Get any router and its corresponding adapter that you think fits your needs. All of them are basically the same, all have issues, all have strong points.

If you don't need the latest and gratest speed and range, go with a 802.11g and wait for the 802.11n go down in price. Currently the g is about the price that the b use to be not long ago. Prices are going down quickly, but the 802.11g protocol is perfectly fine speed wise at 54Mbps. Now, if you went with the N1 from Belkin, you theorortically have a speed of 300Mbps. You never receive that speed, it is actually slightly lower and it depends on what type of protocols you use, such as the 802.11b which is slower, and will slow down the entire network to the same speed. It works like RAM modules in this way, the slowest module slows all the faster modules to its speed. So, if you have any 802.11b devices, it would be pointless to buy a faster protocol unless you change out that b adapter.

It really depends on what you have currently and what you would like to have. As I said before, if you have an 802.11b adapter that you simply can't change out for some time, for whatever reason, it would be fruitless to buy an 802.11g router. If you plan on changing it out soon, then go ahead and get a g router. The same goes for the N routers, if you have a G adapter that you simply can't change out any time soon, it would be a waste of money to buy a N router.

It also depends upon the speed you are satisfied with, whether you need speed for any particular reason, such as a lot of streaming media files. If you need to stream a lot of media, then I highly reccomend the fastest router you can get, which currently is the N1. Or just the 802.11n.

Any of the manufacturers would work out just fine. I don't think one is really better than another. Everyone has their "preferred" brand, and mine is currently Belkin, but I think the lessor known brands will work just as well. Make your decision on your needs, and future needs, such as you may not require wireless right now, but it is less expensive to purchase a router with an wireless access point--WAP now, than to replace the router later or purchase a seperate WAP to add to your network. Once you have a good idea what your needs are, look for sales at the local electronics stores and get yourself a good deal. You can also look Online, but be forewarned that if you need to return anything there will be a 10% to 15% "restocking fee", (which I think is rediculous, when you can return something to a local store without a fee).

My favorite electronics store is Fry's Electronics. They have sales all throughout the week and weekends, and it is great for finding hardware or other items for really good prices. They also have an Online portion of their store, and if a sale is on a product Online, they will honor that price at the local store. Sales are the best method of getting hardware.

Answer 3

Belkin G Plus Mimo routers are great I actual have one myself, we run 3 laptops and xbox's at comparable time, have been given mine off amazon for £28 whilst in workstation international they retail for £60+ xxx sturdy success xx

Answer 4

linksys Wireless-G

Answer 5

D-link dir-655.
Expensive but good.

Answer 6

linksys really sucks ..
bt is the best no problems what so ever :)

Answer 7

linksys

Answer 8

you cant go wrong with Lynksys or D-Link.

Answer 9

This one works well for me.


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2265280&sku=N100-2078

Answer 10

netgear