Just a solid, secure wireless router.

With the deals post X-Mas, I want to take advantage and grab a router to be able to use a future laptop wirelessly. I'm seeing such ones like D-Link G, $30 ect. Linsys, D-Link...which would you recommend for solid response, less drops and quality overall? [I have cable internet via a modem, I will need a router to have a hands free internet-ready laptop correct?]

Thanks a lot.

 

You do need a router to access the Internet wirelessly. You can visit the CNET reviews section (click that link) to see what is the current best of the best.

 

Most routers I've used work fine. I'd buy on price.

 

I was thinking routers are more of the generic/price competive (vs brand) peripherals such like flash drives, as your indicating. I guess i'll go with the $30 D-Link, although in the past I had seen a wireless G router go as low as $20.

By the way, seems like computer displays will be on sale:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pr...angid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10073771&catid=22334

I've been told Samsung and LG are the leaders in the flat panel displays.
This seems like a good buy. I'm not 100% certain on what specs to pay attention too: contrast ratio 2000:1, 2ms response time (something that has to do with black and white only though?).

For $50 less there is one (same make/size) but with a 8ms response time.

 

By the way, you said buy on price:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=BDL10001761&catid=19994

Under 10 dollars, but something tells me this one will be inferior in quality.

 

I would stick with d-link, linksys, or netgear.

 

Unless you're looking for something specific, most of the routers mentioned work just fine for the average user. I would purchase on price like ZaZ suggest not the cheapest but not the most exspensive either,I've had my Belkin router for about two years now and no problems.

 

If you got a Belkin working for 2 years, that a first for me. I have yet to get a one last more than 30 days with out problems. I want touch them.

 

When I first got it (a gift) I was skeptical too.Update the firmware when possible and reset periodically and it's just fine.

 

I did that with one too. Then it would start locking up. Reboots would not clear it. Had to power down for 10-15 min, sometimes it would work. Reseting the router it still had me locked out, and this is the wired side. Returned it, the replacement did the same thing. Switched to linksys, for that install and never looked back, that was 2 yrs ago. I no longer recommend combo units. Only seperate SMB 8 port routers (VPN), AP's and expand with a switch. What I have discovered under heavy use, the SMB never have the problems of the residential routers. This is particular true with BT (P2P) users. There are some good residential routers D-link and Netgear, and some Linksys, but BELKIN is NOT on my list.

 

I hear you blue68f100, I must be one of the lucky ones. I've been looking into (SMB)routers myself lately,just purchased a 5port D-Link switch and looking for descent router to go with it for (VPN) in basement.

Sorry MoMo26 not trying to highjack your post.

 

Be careful with D-Link. I've D-Link 504UP wireless router with 4 network port and USB print server. It's quite cheap for all the features it offer but performance is poor. If you're a heavy user (using P2P), this is not the router of the choice. I've to switch it of and on a few times because after a couple hours the connection speed dropped. The wireless signal range is short and weak unless you happen to be in the same room as the router. If you need to establish the connection to your ISP using PPPoE, this router is nightmare. It can't even work well with the modem/router from the same manufacturer especially when you set the modem in bridge mode. It take many times for it to establish the connection and sometimes you've to switch it on/off or reboot just to help it connect properly.

IMHO, the best wireless router out there is from Linksys. Never had any problem with it and performance is superb.

 

If you plan on doing some heavy use I would upgrade as adx mentioned. I see a lot of routers (residential) overheat when under heavy use and lock up. It's will be cheaper now to upgrade to a good router and not have any problems, than to have random problems and tring to trouble shoot them.

Reezin14, I'm use Negear's FVS338 VPN router works great. It allows router to router VPN connection, and client to router. Not the weak port forward. I have full access to my whole network remotely. I was looking at a 8 port switch and went a used managed (gigabit) one for the same cost.

 

just to jack this thread a little more

I've never heard of these SMB routers (the linux nerd in me went "why would you need a router just for SAMBA? oh, wait...",) always used the residential stuff at home... got some links to some more general info or some manufacturer websites?

 

This is along the line of network I want to setup, I was also looking a the Cisco 850 series, I'll give the netgear router a look THANKS.

 

Here's a website BigV and if you google I'm sure you can find what you need to know. http://www.channelinsider.com/article/Adtran+Launches+SMB+Router+Series/189834_1.aspx

 

I kinda figured it out this morning, small to medium business stuff. basically business-class stuff, just not rackmounted.