Most are easy to install, ie the Linksys come with a CD to do the setup. As user friendly as it gets.
If you want the basic, cheap, but efficient model go with:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124284
If you want the higher end of technology with the wireless N technology: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124277
I have the wrt160n
If you want the basic, cheap, but efficient model go with:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124284
If you want the higher end of technology with the wireless N technology: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124277
I have the wrt160n
go with a linksys - whatever the current version of the WRT54G is
they are very solid routers and easy to use.
they are very solid routers and easy to use.
The Linksys gear is dead simple to setup, it all comes with a step by step guide to cable it it, and the setup CD will build all your configs for you.
If you have some devices that are 802.11(n) aka wireless-N and others that are 802.11(g) get a router that supports simultaneous dual band. The simultaneous is the important part. Otherwise there is just one radio in it, and to make everything run it will have to be just 802.11(g) and none of your N devices will ever see the extra speed.
If you have some devices that are 802.11(n) aka wireless-N and others that are 802.11(g) get a router that supports simultaneous dual band. The simultaneous is the important part. Otherwise there is just one radio in it, and to make everything run it will have to be just 802.11(g) and none of your N devices will ever see the extra speed.
WRT54G series only supports up to "G" speeds. The newer "N" speeds are not supported so if you have a newer laptop you are cheating yourself.
Don't get me wrong they were good router up to v4 ( I have 3 of them), then they changed the base firmware and they sucked after that.
Maximum PC did a Wireless Router shootout this month and the current Linksys scored a 5 out of 10.
Their Choice was the Netgear Rangemax WNDR3700.
"Spectacular Throughput, a strong feature set and stronger price/performance ratio"
They rated it 9 out of 10.
Its Duel band, "N" router with a seperate guest network and USB port for an external hardrive (Network Storage Drive).
My buddy just picked one up yesterday @ Bestbuy and he said it works great.
BTW all routers now come with a setup CD, for those who don't know how or don't want to do a manual setup.
Don't get me wrong they were good router up to v4 ( I have 3 of them), then they changed the base firmware and they sucked after that.
Maximum PC did a Wireless Router shootout this month and the current Linksys scored a 5 out of 10.
Their Choice was the Netgear Rangemax WNDR3700.
"Spectacular Throughput, a strong feature set and stronger price/performance ratio"
They rated it 9 out of 10.
Its Duel band, "N" router with a seperate guest network and USB port for an external hardrive (Network Storage Drive).
My buddy just picked one up yesterday @ Bestbuy and he said it works great.
BTW all routers now come with a setup CD, for those who don't know how or don't want to do a manual setup.
Get whatever is cheap that supports your laptop's network speed (B, G, N). Linksys are nice, but mine crapped out a few months ago.
Walked into Best Buy and got a Netgear for under 40 bucks. I really say there's little difference in what they do, and all seem easy enough to get working. I wouldn't over-think it.
Walked into Best Buy and got a Netgear for under 40 bucks. I really say there's little difference in what they do, and all seem easy enough to get working. I wouldn't over-think it.
Save the money and buy a refuburished one from best buy.com I got mine for 15 bucks. Its got the same warranty as a brand new one. Its a linksys, however you spell it. Super easy to install and even with the quicker shipping it will save ya some money.
Garrett,
Trust me, I ran a wireless Internet company for 3 years and have been in IT for over 15 years. Wireless networking is my specialty. Do not by the cheapest one you can find or something refurbished. I have thrown away enough cheap, outdated and just plain old crappy wireless routers to fill a swimming pool. The customer always thinks its the providers fault because they bought the best router @ wal-mart (been on the shelf for 4 years) or the one Aunt Emma recommended. If you were an IT guy with experience in wireless networking I'd say go for it, otherwise stick to something proven.
Because you are new to the wireless game and its your first setup go with new equipment that is getting good reviews. Wireless networking is great when it works and beyond frustrating when it doesn't. Ordering from Newegg.com is good advice. They sell enough stock that their inventory is up to date. If you want to buy local thats cool. Avoid Wal-Mart!!!!!! They sell old outdated stock. You could get one thats been on the shelf for over a year with outdated firmware. Best Buy's return policy isn't as good as Wally World but their inventory is better. Don't know about Staples. I have bought a few things there on sale. Their everyday prices tend to be a little high.
You can go with the Linksys if you want. Personally I avoid their new products. They are not the company they used to be. When Cisco bought Linksys they castrated the Linksys product line to avoid it competing with the higher end Cisco products.
We banned certain Linksys products from our Network because of known issues Linksys engineers refused to fix even though they were known issues. The only linksys routers we recommended were the WRT54G v1-4. Earlier versions we banned and latter versions (WRT54G v5+) were lockup happy.
We replaced any of the know problematic ones with the cheap Belkin "G" routers. They weren't fancy but they worked and didn't bring down our network 2-3 times a day.
If I were to buy a router today I'd go with the Netgear WNDR3700 that Maximum PC recommended. Its fast and the USB is a bonus. I paid about $100 for a device that allows me to add USB devices to my network.
My friend just bought one yesterday for around $150.
Anyway just my .02 worth. ;-)
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