Would you recommend a wireless router?

apc

We've got a Windows based laptop and 2 desktops, a macbook, an iphone, ipod touch and ipad2 and a VZW network extender - all of which are out of commission since my Linksys wireless router went on the fritz last night.

Anyone care to suggest a suitable replacement?

EndersShadow

apc wrote: »

We've got a Windows based laptop and 2 desktops, a macbook, an iphone, ipod touch and ipad2 and a VZW network extender - all of which are out of commission since my Linksys wireless router went on the fritz last night.

Anyone care to suggest a suitable replacement?

Personally I like Linksys. I had a WRT54G for years, in fact my dad still has one. So I would get a wireless n linksys router. I also had a D-link router at one point that was wireless-n. Did a decent job but I only had it for like 2 weeks till I had to remove it since uverse installs a wireless router/hub with their internet/cable service.

Either way I suggest hardwiring as many of those devices as possible via ethernet.

apc

Thanks. I got a call from a techie friend who suggested a combo modem/wireless router from my ISP. I phoned Knology and they have this one:

ARRIS Touchstone? DG950 Data Gateway

Sounds like a good alternative. Anyone have experience with similar device?

nguyendot

Aruba makes awesome devices...will cut through interference like a hot knife through butter. Might be a bit much for you though!

I use WRT54G's with dd-wrt, as well as a WRT150N with DD-WRT. very stable, very good speeds. Kinda old though.

rebuy

We always use Linksys, good stuff.

apc

I have enjoyed my Linksys WRT150N, which may have just gotten zapped by a power surge. The power indicator LED is faint, which may be an indicator.

DaveHo

Bought a ASUS RT-N56U a few weeks ago. No complaints so far. Excellent speed.

Mr. Sharpe

haha, no Belkins here? I use a belkin 600 i believe it is and it's super fast. but I hear Linksys is better, idk, this one we have works very well. just use a surge protector. we've had 2 D-links burn out during storms.

BeefJerky

This is really hard to answer. It seems that different people can have significantly different experiences with exactly the same wireless router. What works for me may not work for you, and vice versa.

I've had good luck with Netgear myself, though I'm aware that it can be hit or miss with them when it comes to firmware. However, with a good firmware version, their products work very well. And, don't upgrade to a newer version until you've read others experiences, but this is good advice for any brand. Right now I am using a Netgear WNDR3700v1 and it works great. It is very fast and has good range. Plus, it has the 5GHz band which is a requirement for me; there is just too much interference on the 2.4GHz band.

That being said, the only brand of wireless router that I have had consistently bad experiences with is D-Link. However, their small business line of wired ethernet equipment is very good. I have a 16-port D-Link gigabit switch and it's been great.

Willow

I had the same issue as the OP, we just went with the rental of one from our cable/internet provider. Seems to be working very well thus far and I think it is made by cisco, it says SMC on the front...that is all I can remember

apc

Knology tech is scheduled to bring out the one I mentioned above this morning. The way I see it, they have to replace it if it is damaged since it's leased. I also get rid of one extra device and it's power wall wart!

Mr. Sharpe

We would've kept the Rental from the provider, but low and behold, it was a D-link:D

jwhitakr

Had a Linksys WRT54G that we used for about 4 years, and it finally gave out. Got a Cisco E1000 refurb and it's actually worked better than the WRT54G. Better speeds (which I would expect since it is a 'N' instead of 'G' speed) and the signal strength is better.

No complaints with either model. Just make sure you get the 802.11N and that it is backwards compatible with 'G' and 'B' also.