I hate to ask this...

...but what modem and what router would you guys recommend for a couple that's moving in together into a one bedroom apartment?

My girlfriend and I are moving in together and while she's busy picking out what furniture and what kinds of dressers she wants for the place, I've taken responsiblity of setting up the utilities. For our internet, we decided to go with Comcast. I'd much rather supply my own modem than to lease one through Comcast for $7/mo.

For her, all she really does with the internet is online shopping, go on facebook, watch videos on youtube, and watch movies through netflix.

For me, I do practically the same plus playing video games like DotA2, LoL, SC2, TF2, etc.

Thanks for any help received.

 

If there aren't that many wireless networks in range of your apartment, then a decent 2.4GHz N router will be all you need and it won't break the bank. If you're in a super crowded environment then investing in a 5GHz router might be a good idea for gaming if you can't go with wired and provided your computers have adapters that support 5GHz networks. If you want to know, you'd have to go to the apartment and run inSSIDer on your notebook to find out what your wireless environment looks like.

 

I would go a dual band to get away from the crowded 2.4ghz. The Netgear WNDR3700 v2 (N600) can be had for around $100. It has good firmware and a very stable router.

 

Thank you both for your replies.

Blue68f100, I was actually looking at that one because my coworker received it as a gift from their boss. Looking it up on amazon, I can get it for $92.

Now how about a modem? Would you guys suggest to get our own modem or lease one from them for $7/mo? The comcast rep I spoke with mentioned the modem they're giving us is particular to our triple play package because it runs both the phone and the internet and something about an enhanced 911 feature. I was looking at the motorola SB6121 and on amazon it can be packaged with the WNDR3700 for around $178.

 

Okay First off Comcast has a VERY horrible policy about using your own Modem equipment in MOST states make sure you ask. and 2 you would need a Tele Modem. That modem you listed wont work. If your getting your phone through them you will 99% most likely have to have THEIR modem cause your phone lines will plug into the modem

 

I run that modem. I also use road runner. Most reliable consumer-grade modem I think you can get really - plug and play and you're all set. Barely gets warm to the touch sitting on a carpet surrounded by boxes and wires after gaming for 6 hours straight. I would recommend against the 6580 given all the horror stories about the firmware issue with them.

For a router, any netgear or cisco that supports dual-banding will work.

I don't know about what kind of phone service they offer. Is it VOIP?

 

Cable companys offer a Forum of VOIP. But its built into THERE modems.

Like this one.. ARRIS TM602G Touchstone Telephony Modem With Power Cord - DSL Modems

 

Thank you all for your input.

When I spoke to the Comcast rep, she mentioned that their modems were specific to their landlines. Something about an enhanced 911 feature in that they'd be able to locate us a lot quicker or something of the sort. Originally, we hadn't planned on getting a landline, but I was able to get a good deal (or at least better than) with their internet/cable/phone package than their internet/cable package.

I've spoken to other family and friends who have Comcast and as far as the modem goes, they were all leasing the modem and then they just bought their own router.

Thank you all for your input.

 

I have a voip system just like that, but while I use their simple voip modem for the phones, I use my own Motorola for data, it's not Comcast though.

I really dislike using their equipment for data as more often than not, they are poor quality. Mine allows a higher data spike, has a longer service life, and better diagnostics than their modem would have had. Granted for what you are using it for it won't really matter much.


Oh and on your router, if you don't have 5k band, there is no need for dual band, but the 3700 is a nice router and will give you less hassle over it's lifetime than a lesser router and means you will have it when you finally do get 5k.