Need help selecting a wireless router

junkinduck · 02-19-2011, 05:54 AM

I have had an old hand me down router for several years that has quit working. I am going to replace it but with what? I don't know anything about G and N. Google search just confuses the issue.
My needs:
I have a two year old acer netbook, Wii, and iPhone. In the future mabe an iPad and/or notebook.
Wants but not necessary:
USB for printer or mass storage
Like to be in the 50$ area.
All help appricated.

dunng · 02-19-2011, 10:15 AM

TP-Link has impressed me recently, great products cheap! It does not have the USB but will handle any future N devices you may add...

Base - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833704051
More Advanced - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833704030

junkinduck · 02-19-2011, 08:57 PM

Bought a 49.99 netgear from walmrt. Working fine. not all that I wanted but I scored a 50.00 gift card the other day from work so it was like being free.

moosie · 02-19-2011, 09:04 PM

Netgear WNR 3500L. Check'em out at Amazon. "300N"

dunng · 02-20-2011, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkinduck

Bought a 49.99 netgear from walmrt. Working fine. not all that I wanted but I scored a 50.00 gift card the other day from work so it was like being free.

Sweet deal then!

Silound · 02-21-2011, 03:28 AM

Some info that may help you about Wireless G vs N and other tidbits.

G vs. N: Wireless-N is a waste unless you run ALL 802.11n devices in what is known as "N-Only Mode". There is a specific setting for this in the router's programming, which prevents any non-N device from communicating with the router (as opposed to "Mixed Mode", which allows older G devices to communicate as well as the newer N devices). There aren't many devices now that aren't wireless N, so an N router offers future room for increased performance( if it is in your budget).

When a router talks to a client over a wireless connection (your computer, iPhone, printer, whatever), it talks to the device at the best speed it can manage. However, when you mix slower (wireless G) and faster devices (wireless N), the connection speed is often bogged down trying to communicate because the router is constantly changing communication methods, thereby slowing down the faster devices (I'm simplifying this greatly for ease of understanding, it's way more complicated than that). Consider it similar to you and a few friends are talking in your native language (the faster one for you) and one guy is trying to talk in another language (the slower one). The whole conversation will slow as you try and communicate in two languages.

Unfortunately, you're going to get what you pay for when it comes to routers. Generally it is considered that Cisco/Linksys is the best consumer brand router to buy as it offers the most bang for the buck for the Average Joe. Netgear and Buffalo offer some good products that have more advanced options (although sometimes the restrict other useful ones), but typically to get the most out of any router, it requires more advanced knowledge of settings and firmware than anyone really has any need for.

In the end, I would search your pockets long and hard, and buy yourself a Linksys E3000. This is about one of the best consumer grader routers you can find (easily in stores as well as online), and the Linksys firmware is easy to understand and work with to set your router up. The built in antennas in this model are great for getting good signal coverage, especially if you use the 5GHz band in "N-Only Mode".

Just me

, but I use one at home and tweaked it so I drown out any competing wireless signals from around my apartment

Stephen · 02-21-2011, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silound

In the end, I would search your pockets long and hard, and buy yourself a Linksys E3000. This is about one of the best consumer grader routers you can find (easily in stores as well as online), and the Linksys firmware is easy to understand and work with to set your router up. The built in antennas in this model are great for getting good signal coverage, especially if you use the 5GHz band in "N-Only Mode".

Just me

, but I use one at home and tweaked it so I drown out any competing wireless signals from around my apartment

This is what I have as well. Great router.

02-19-2011, 05:54 AM	#1
junkinduck Still Watching My Back Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Don Location: Chester, OH Posts: 170 Trading: (2)	Need help selecting a wireless router I have had an old hand me down router for several years that has quit working. I am going to replace it but with what? I don't know anything about G and N. Google search just confuses the issue. My needs: I have a two year old acer netbook, Wii, and iPhone. In the future mabe an iPad and/or notebook. Wants but not necessary: USB for printer or mass storage Like to be in the 50$ area. All help appricated.

02-19-2011, 10:15 AM	#2
dunng MassHole Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: MassHole Posts: 4,719 Trading: (59)	Re: Need help selecting a wireless router TP-Link has impressed me recently, great products cheap! It does not have the USB but will handle any future N devices you may add... Base - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833704051 More Advanced - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833704030 __________________ MassHole Banter

02-19-2011, 08:57 PM	#3
junkinduck Still Watching My Back Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Don Location: Chester, OH Posts: 170 Trading: (2)	Re: Need help selecting a wireless router Bought a 49.99 netgear from walmrt. Working fine. not all that I wanted but I scored a 50.00 gift card the other day from work so it was like being free.

02-19-2011, 09:04 PM	#4
moosie Still Watching My Back Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Eric Location: Southern Cal Posts: 84 Trading: (0)	Re: Need help selecting a wireless router Netgear WNR 3500L. Check'em out at Amazon. "300N"

02-21-2011, 03:28 AM	#6
Silound ex-CS Swamp Gorilla Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Somewhere in a swamp, south of sanity Posts: 802 Trading: (15)	Re: Need help selecting a wireless router Some info that may help you about Wireless G vs N and other tidbits. G vs. N: Wireless-N is a waste unless you run ALL 802.11n devices in what is known as "N-Only Mode". There is a specific setting for this in the router's programming, which prevents any non-N device from communicating with the router (as opposed to "Mixed Mode", which allows older G devices to communicate as well as the newer N devices). There aren't many devices now that aren't wireless N, so an N router offers future room for increased performance( if it is in your budget). When a router talks to a client over a wireless connection (your computer, iPhone, printer, whatever), it talks to the device at the best speed it can manage. However, when you mix slower (wireless G) and faster devices (wireless N), the connection speed is often bogged down trying to communicate because the router is constantly changing communication methods, thereby slowing down the faster devices (I'm simplifying this greatly for ease of understanding, it's way more complicated than that). Consider it similar to you and a few friends are talking in your native language (the faster one for you) and one guy is trying to talk in another language (the slower one). The whole conversation will slow as you try and communicate in two languages. Unfortunately, you're going to get what you pay for when it comes to routers. Generally it is considered that Cisco/Linksys is the best consumer brand router to buy as it offers the most bang for the buck for the Average Joe. Netgear and Buffalo offer some good products that have more advanced options (although sometimes the restrict other useful ones), but typically to get the most out of any router, it requires more advanced knowledge of settings and firmware than anyone really has any need for. In the end, I would search your pockets long and hard, and buy yourself a Linksys E3000. This is about one of the best consumer grader routers you can find (easily in stores as well as online), and the Linksys firmware is easy to understand and work with to set your router up. The built in antennas in this model are great for getting good signal coverage, especially if you use the 5GHz band in "N-Only Mode". Just me , but I use one at home and tweaked it so I drown out any competing wireless signals from around my apartment __________________ Back in black, and better than ever! You can't keep a good gorilla down! LSU Geaux Tigers!