Have the very simplest idea about routers, should I buy this?

I really don't know too much about wireless routers. I bought a Linksys WRT160N a couple of years ago that I have been using at my parent's house for a while now. All I did was set it up, install it via the software, and use it was intended. My sister uses it for her MBP, me and my brother use the ethernet most of the time, but I occasionally break out to use WiFi. My phones also use the WiFi, and they are 802.11g max. My laptops have always had N. That said, past laptops had some issues with constant lag spikes during games. Seems wireless liked to drop on and off. But it doesn't seem to happen anymore.

Anyway, that N router is good enough for my house. It works, it gives me internet, good enough.

Now I am going to need one for my apartment back at my Uni, so i'm looking for a new, cheap one.

TP-LINK TL-WR841N Wireless N Router, Atheros, 2T2R, 2.4GHz, 802.11n/g/b, Built-in 4-port Switch, with 2 fixed antennas from mwave.com

I am looking at this TP-LINK TL-WR841N. It's got pretty alright reviews and seems to be good enough, but will it? It will probably have my friend's laptop tied to it through WiFi or ethernet, my laptop mostly through ethernet, my phone through 802.11g WiFi, and possibly a wireless printer. So wondering if this is good enough?

Also, is there issues with g/n? Does it only broadcast one or something? Like if I wanted to use it with my phone with is g but a laptop with n is using it, will there be some type of conflict? Thx.

 

Well may be you have no idea about routers but you've actually picked quite a good one.
TP-Link is a good company- routers are not blazing fast but fast enough and stable. Firmware gets updated often enough so in case you run into problems you may hope for a quick action on their side.
To answer your other question you can use "n only" mode or compatibility mode where 802.11n and 802.11b/g run simultaneously. This will reduce throughput somewhat for 802.11n but nothing to cry about.

 

Any more help? I found another one by TRENDnet which seems cheaper. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...ffiliateID=lw9MynSeamY-yWMh7Oiu6o5CV4crWoZLFw

 

Don't try to overdo it. This Trendnet is 150mbps (TP LINK is "real" 802.11n and 300mbps) it also has only 8MB RAM which wasn't enough even 5 years ago.
If you can afford the TP LINK you've mentioned go for it. TP LINK is really cheap for the quality of its products but if you go even cheaper you end up with junk- or rather don't end up with junk because you probably end up buying another router that actually works.
If you need cheap and reliable TP LINK is the way to go.