Easiest router to setup for noobs?

Hey guys, I have some friends looking for a wireless router and need something that's plug and play to the extreme. Last router I had was a Netgear WRG614v6(something to that effect) and I hated it so I'm not sure about NGear.

I've heard Dlink and Linksys are pretty easy to setup but wanted some input from some of you....Just something that can be had from and Best Buy/Office Depot,etc or WalMart..

 

All Linksys routers have similar setup pages so as much as I agree with the general recommendation- meaning Linksys I disagree with 110N.
It never was a particularly good router- low range, only 150mbps, not even based on Broadcom hardware, not supported by DD-WRT etc.
Apart from that I don't think it's still on offer. I would go for a mid range router like Linksys E2000- better hardware, 3rd party firmware support and the same ease of setup.

 

Just buy a used Linksys WRT54G wireless router on Craigslist. I got 2 of them for $25 each. Good signal and pretty simple to setup. You can also load DD-WRT on most of the models.

 

I wouldn't recommend WRT54G anymore. What used to be OK in 2005 is not OK anymore- what's more it's not even as good as it used to be in 2005. The reason is- more recent models starting with WRT54G v5 were equipped with only 8MB RAM (compared to 16MB on old classic WRT54G) and only 2MB flash (compared to 4MB). That's severely limits it's possibilities especially if running a Linux-based firmware (like DD-WRT or Tomato).
These routers were factory-equipped with VxWorks which requires less RAM and flash. Smallnetbuilder gave their review of WRT54G v5 a clear title- Yes, the Linksys WRT54G V5 Really Is a Lousy Router. That applies to all WRT54Gs since v5 came out.

 

I agree on everything you said, but if he wants a router that is simple to setup, I doubt he will install DD-WRT and utilize all the features. Even the less memory models of the Linksys WRT54G with DD-WRT micro installed should be sufficient for online gaming, file-sharing, home network if he decides to choose that path.

Also, he can buy the Linksys WRT54G wireless router for $25 or less. Instead of spending $96+tax on a new Linksys E2000 wireless N router.

It really all depends on rather he wants to stay with wireless G or move on to wireless N and how much money he wants to spend.

 

True that the OP who requires ease of configuration won’t probably go for DD-WRT but if we all agree Linksys offers nice and easy interface I'd recommend spending more money on a better router.
As for the price- it all depends where, E2000 costs some $75 in the US.
Limited resources when it comes to these 8MB RAM may severely limit possibilities of using this router- even WRT54GL with 16MB RAM manages only 64 simultaneous connections which is not nearly enough even for a slow connection. I don't have the fastest connection but I've managed over 300 simultaneous connections while testing it in real life situation (downloading a Linux distro via P2P) It maxed out my connection but if it didn't P2P application would have established more connections to max it out.

Anyway- we all seem to be in favor of Linksys when it comes to interface and ease of config.

EDIT: I retested max simultaneous connection test on Mandriva file hoping to see how far my router goes and I got up to 700 simultaneous connections.

 

Did you set your max connections to 4096 in the router? I'm pretty sure you can have more than 64 simultaneous connections at once even with less memory than 16MB RAM. I can download a Linux ISO file with my internet connection at full bandwidth with over 120 connections. Also, make sure that Windows allow unlimited connections too. Anyways, at least we both agree that Linksys routers are great.

 

It wasn't me- I used smallnetbuilder test data (tested with default Linksys firmware) when referring to 64 connections. It doesn't have to be accurate though because WRT54GL has 16MB RAM instead of 8MB but has Linux which is more hungry than VxWorks.

 

Haha, you guys are nuts! I haven't used or needed a wireless router myself since the hated Netgear so everything you're talking to me is gibberish. AFAIK, they only need it for wireless internet on the laptop within the home...

I have noticed routers for wireless music streaming etc that piqued my own interest buy I'm using a wireless Logitech? Jukebox setup right now that works great for that...

Thanks for the input so far, looks like Linksys is the product for them..

Jeremy

 

Apple Airport Extreme. Bar none, the easiest setup you will find. It's pricey, but very effective.