wireless router suggestions?

J

JustMakeItWork

New Member
I'm going to buy a new N-speed wireless router to replace my old G-speed router. I was looking at bestbuy and they have a belkin, a netgear, and a linksys, for $49, $59,and $69 on sale. Should I just get the lowest priced one or am I missing something?
I also want to get a new dvd player and stream netflix movies, and I've been told I need to bump up to n-speed. I also do computer work at home, and it would be nice to get a better signal from the backyard (it's hit or miss right now). I currently have a D-link (g-speed) that works, but I remember it was tough setting it up...
So what are your suggestions on buying an N-speed wireless router? Thanks in advance!

update: Thanks for all your input! Based on your advice, I've decided to get the Linksys E2000 which is on sale at bestbuy and has good reviews. I just hope it is easier to set up than my last router. :)
 
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I'd stay away from Netgear and Belkin. They both have reputations of being very low quality. Linksys is good as long as you get an upper level router (I'd say the e2000/e3000). Their cheaper ones tend to have very sorry firmware. Dlink is usually pretty good too.

Another brand I'd look into is TP-Link. It's what we carry at the shop and they're very nice routers for much less than competitors. You may not be able to find one locally, though.
 
I actually JUST purchased an E2000 and a WMP600N from Linksys. Free overnight shipping so hopefully i'll get it tomorrow, Friday latest it seems.

I'm hoping that I can still see my 40 down 30 up.
 
Some people say Cisco has a bad rep. Some people say Belkin has a bad rep. Some people say Netgear has a bad rep, etc.

I've had a D-Link.

I've had a Netgear.

I have a Belkin currently. They all did and do their jobs well.

I didn't like the D-Link, but I'm not a bias person. I love the Belkin I have. http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=522111

With routers, in my opinion and experience, brand doesn't too much matter. Generally, most brands use about the same parts, anyways. People will swear to you this isn't true, but I beg to differ. In the $70 range, I'll bet that most of the routers in that range will perform the same, and you get the bells and whistles you're looking for. My Belkin has a 2 year warranty, plus a dirt cheap extended warranty from Walmart.
 
You realize that you need to replace your wireless Ethernet cards to achieve the speeds of the N right?
 
The WMP600N is a PCI Wireless Adapter ($80 but supposed to be awesome). The E2000 is supposed to be an excellent router too. I just hope everything works alright!
 
I wish you would have told me this earlier... I already made the purchase.

I guess it can't hurt to have a quality Linksys one. It claims to have stronger signal strength and prevent me from dropping out more. We'll see what happens I guess. What router do you have? What OS? You ever drop out and get booted offline? Signal always solid? What service do you have and how fast are your down/up speeds?
 
ChrisUlrich said:
I wish you would have told me this earlier... I already made the purchase.

I guess it can't hurt to have a quality Linksys one. It claims to have stronger signal strength and prevent me from dropping out more. We'll see what happens I guess. What router do you have? What OS? You ever drop out and get booted offline? Signal always solid? What service do you have and how fast are your down/up speeds?
Click to expand...

Play N600 Wireless Dual-Band N+ Router
Windows Home Edition on the computer I use most.
Never, dropped, never booted offline, yet. With full bars.
I have Mediacom Cable: 8Mbps down, 1Mbps up. (Though it fluctuates frequently, between 12Mbps and 8 Mbps.)

My fastest I've downloaded at is 3MB/s, with 1MB/s to 2MB/s being average, depending on the website servers, bittorent traffic, etc.
 
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Demilich said:
Play N600 Wireless Dual-Band N+ Router
Windows Home Edition on the computer I use most.
Never, dropped, never booted offline, yet. With full bars.
I have Mediacom Cable: 8Mbps down, 1Mbps up. (Though it fluctuates frequently, between 12Mbps and 8 Mbps.)

My fastest I've downloaded at is 3MB/s, with 1MB/s to 2MB/s being average, depending on the website servers, bittorent traffic, etc.
Click to expand...

You just made me feel like a total douche for spending $140 on my new setup... wtf man. hahahahaha This totally blows. Just so you know, that was a nervous I feel stupid laugh.
 
ChrisUlrich said:
You just made me feel like a total douche for spending $140 on my new setup... wtf man. hahahahaha This totally blows. Just so you know, that was a nervous I feel stupid laugh.
Click to expand...

I'm sure everyone in this forum (and on the planet, for that matter), has bought something that we are not proud of. I know I have. Not that I wouldn't be proud of that setup you bought; I'm sure it will work just fine. That's the risk we as consumers make.
 
Demilich said:
I have Mediacom Cable: 8Mbps down, 1Mbps up. (Though it fluctuates frequently, between 12Mbps and 8 Mbps.)

My fastest I've downloaded at is 3MB/s, with 1MB/s to 2MB/s being average, depending on the website servers, bittorent traffic, etc.
Click to expand...

If your max speed is 12mbps then your download speed will max out at 1.5mb/s. You take your internet speed and divide by 8 to get your max download speed. How are you coming up with 3 mb/s for downloads?
 
I knew about 12Mbps having to be converted to MB/s, but I never did it myself. You're most definitely correct. But I'm not sure how I hit 3MB/s then..maybe it fluctuated to 20Mbps once? But I know it's happened a few times. I should probably call my service provider. I mean, I'm paying for 8Mbps, so why would I call them if I can hit 12? haha
 
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