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    Need New Wireless router

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by missingtasks, Mar 14, 2006.

  1. missingtasks

    missingtasks Notebook Consultant

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    Hey,
    I have a microsoft MN-700base station, and for lack of finesse, it sucks... completely.this situation is bad enough without my dad wanting to work from home now. So, I ask you, O wise ones, I need a router compatable with our existing microsoft receivers (G) but has few drops (AS FEW AS POSSABLE) and is not slow as a turtle with half a leg. We use comcast internet (cable 4mb/s packet rate varies) so anything that could take advantage of the speed.
    Thanks
     
    missingtasks, Mar 14, 2006
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  2. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Check my guide at the top of this forum, and post here what you like.

    Right off the bat, i would suggest the Linksys WRT54G
     
    nickspohn, Mar 14, 2006
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  3. missingtasks

    missingtasks Notebook Consultant

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    right i was looking at that and im a tad worried about the coverage area and the user reviews reporting drops and sleep cycling. I need excellent coverage and am willing to dish out 150 or so for a good router. It also needs to be good for idiots because i am not gonna be around a lot in the summer to troubleshoot.
     
    missingtasks, Mar 14, 2006
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  4. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Alright, go with either Netgear or linksys. Netgear is more user friendly, so take that in mind. My WRT54G is excellent (check my review)

    With your budget then, id look at the SRX Linksys routers, and the Netgear MIMO routers.

    Good luck!
     
    nickspohn, Mar 14, 2006
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  5. missingtasks

    missingtasks Notebook Consultant

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    if you have total faith in the Linksys i can troubleshoot over the phone. Any models you suggest?
     
    missingtasks, Mar 14, 2006
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  6. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    For you, a great router would be the WRT54GX2, well in your budget, and a very strong router, (long signal, etc.)
     
    nickspohn, Mar 14, 2006
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  7. MinnDasota

    MinnDasota Notebook Guru

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    Nick helped me with my purchase of the Linksys srx200 router. It works great and the setup isn't hard at all. You will have to make sure you download the firmware from their website to keep it updated. Linksys has great customer support too if you have any problems. I didn't try the Netgear MIMO but word is that it is user friendly (although the blue light on the top seems to be annoying to a few). Both are on sale at besbuy and compusa for 99.99 so I think they are within your budget. Speed was slow at first but now has picked up to what I expected. Range seems to have increased too, even without a matching adapter. Like Nick said, go for the MIMO/SRX routers if you want added speed and range. Sometimes you'll get much better signals and speed and sometimes you won't...depending on the environment you live in. Drops were happening at the start, but after a few fixes here and there with the help of customer support (of both my cable company and Linksys), drops have been very few since. I'm gonna cross my fingers from here on out. Good Luck...
     
    MinnDasota, Mar 14, 2006
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  8. missingtasks

    missingtasks Notebook Consultant

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    for the speed boost and the range dont you need the linksys cards for the computers? or will it integrate well with my existing microsoft and intel 2200 receivers?
     
    missingtasks, Mar 15, 2006
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  9. MinnDasota

    MinnDasota Notebook Guru

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    If you want the speed and range they advertise, you need the matching adapters. However, In my experience, we get the extra range and speed we "needed" without them.

    We have 4 laptops in our apartment. 3 wireless g's and 1 wireless b. And in all we have found the extra range and speed. The furthest room couldn't get a signal from the other routers I tried (about 100 feet from the router with the kitchen, 2 bathrooms and another bedroom in between). Now she gets a good signal and she is very happy about it. Mind you, we live in an NYC apartment with many tenants, wireless signals, and brick to interfere with our signal!!

    All of our computers have integrated wireless cards.

    It really depends on the setup of your environment. But you do not necessarily need to change adapters to benefit from better performance. Albeit, you will not get the "advertised" speeds and ranges...

    They are supposed to be backwards compatible and the new technology of MIMO/SRX uses multiple antennaes, etc, to decrease interference and increase range with whatever adapter you use.

    Again, this is all in their advertisements, but from my experience so far, I am pleased...
     
    MinnDasota, Mar 15, 2006
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  10. missingtasks

    missingtasks Notebook Consultant

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    missingtasks, Mar 15, 2006
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  11. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    nickspohn, Mar 15, 2006
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  12. missingtasks

    missingtasks Notebook Consultant

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    does this have any port so i can connect directly? thats a big issue for me...
     
    missingtasks, Mar 15, 2006
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  13. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Yes, 4 of them

    Thats a basic on most routers to this date
     
    nickspohn, Mar 15, 2006
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  14. eatonop

    eatonop Notebook Consultant

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    I would suggest either go with the Linksys SRX400 MIMO or Belkin Pre-N routers. I find them worth the buck and reliable.
     
    eatonop, Mar 23, 2006
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  15. missingtasks

    missingtasks Notebook Consultant

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    i just bought the 54gx for 125 from newegg. It should be here saturday or monday. I cant wait, it will go well with my very new quanta :)
     
    missingtasks, Mar 23, 2006
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  16. ZJChaser

    ZJChaser Notebook Consultant

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    good choice, great router.
     
    ZJChaser, Mar 23, 2006
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