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TheRocketPig's avatar

I'm looking to upgrade my wireless router... any suggestions?

Asked by TheRocketPig (612points) July 22nd, 2009

Hello Flutherteers!

I just recently moved into a bigger place and would like to get a new wireless router. My old one is a Dlink and is about 6 or 7 years old… so I’m sure there is something much better out there.

I’m looking to get something in the under $100 – 125 range… but would like something with decent strength and stability.

Here are the devices I use: Macbook, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP, iPhone, Chumby.

Thanks!

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11 Answers

willbrawn's avatar

Airport or a time capsule would be my choices.

tgiff's avatar

I use a D-Link RangeBooster, I can’t remember the price but it’s not too expensive and it’s been really reliable for me, it works for computers, consoles and anything else I’ve had to use.
http://www.dlink.ca/products/?sec=0&pid=501

avalmez's avatar

i’ve not been totally pleased with my airport and less so with my time capsule. linksys was my brand of choice. and get 802.11n as it’s noticeably faster and quite reliable. issues i’ve had with my current routers relate to setup.

jpasq03's avatar

Definitely get 802.11n as @avalmez said.

I wouldn’t get a time capsule, that’s a lot of bandwidth to be shoving onto one device, if you’re fine with setting up/maintaining D-Link products that’s fine, but I recommend airport.

You could just get an airport express or two to supplement your current network, N is standard for the express now.

drClaw's avatar

I also throw my hat in the ring with Airport or Airport Extreme depending on your networks needs.

http://www.apple.com/search/mac/?q=AirPort

TheRocketPig's avatar

Thanks everyone! As per most of your suggestions… I am now a proud owner of an Airport Extreme. Everything seems pretty solid so far, I’ll keep you posted on how it’s working out.

nashish's avatar

Yeah, if you wanna spend $100 – $125, why not get a Airport? However, I don’t know the pros or cons of those devices. Could someone fill me in on why Airports are so great?

jpasq03's avatar

@nashish They’re easy to set up/maintain, the express is plug and play in that it keeps your settings and regenerates its wifi bubble, the use the latest wifi standards making them fast. They have nice design.

avalmez's avatar

i had issues related mainly to using timecapsule with vista (i dual boot). it works, it doesn’t work. also, mac has problems seeing a hd connectted to the router.

AskBlam's avatar

Wireless N is overkill for the standard consumer.

I recommend you get 2 WL-520GUs instead.

Then throw Tomato firmware on each and set on repeater or WDS mode.

That way you’ll have excellent range and throughput. If you need any links or tutorials then just google or ask me:)

Blam

avalmez's avatar

@AskBlam ok, i’m asking :) exactly why is N overkill for the average consumer? i run one N router to connect 2 laptops, 1 desktop (soon 2), and 2 printers wirelessly. each device gets great bandwidth (i ran speakeasy minutes ago and got 20 mbps up and 7 mbps down). i read the spec’s for the wl-520gu and as best as i can tell the advantage the device may have is signal strength and in a business setting with tons of bandwidth, perhaps more speed than N at home. again, i’m not a networking guy, but i don’t get slowing down to 802.11 a over n. thanks for any clarification!

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