Router guys, help me pick the best most future proof router v. cable internet

need a new wireless router for cable internet in a 1600-1800 sqft 2 story home.

i will be having a network and sending movies and other things of large size to different parts of the house

do i go with gigabit ? 802.11n ? MIMO ?

which is the most future proof or should i wait a few months (i dont mind a couple months) ?

finally which brand ? i heard linksys routers are good for people more advanced (which is good in case i learn something, however i heard linksys's have cooling issues (which is not a problem for a DIY'er)) or should i just go with a simple D Link ?
i want to spend something in the $~80 or so price range

 

First off, if you can wait, do.

Second, depending on the house really depends on how well any router is going to work, here in San Francisco the apartments I live in need 11 routers to cover a 5 floor building (about 11 units per floor at a guess) because of the massive amounts of interference caused by the building materials, depending on where you live will depend on how well different routers work.

Third, when you say "sending movies and other things of large size to different parts of the house" what do you really mean? Do you mean copying them, do you mean streaming them, or... If streaming then G should be fine, if copying, well depends how often you will do this and how much speed will really matter, for the majority of people I think G is probably fine, sure I copy large files around on occasion and it's a bit of a pain, but, it does work and given the frequency I do this until N comes down in price it's probably not worth it.

Fourth, brand of router, I like Linksys, I've used Linksys since I started using routers and never had a problem, other people have used various "cheaper" brands and seem to be plagued with weird issues. Linksys are also stupidly easy to setup at a basic level, yes they have advanced options, but the basic setup is very easy.
Oh and on the heat issue, I've never had any issues, not sure what people are doing to have a heat issue, but I've certainly never noticed a problem.

 

which wireless N router is the best ? linksys, dlink or belkin ?

 

None of them. It has not been made yet. If you must buy Hold off till atleast they release v2 spec hardware.

You should have your house wired with cat5e, 6 or 7, you will be glad you did.

 

yeah, cat6 in the home with multiple WAPs at either end of the house would be sweet.

problem is it's expensive. You could try and place your wireless router in the center of the house and see how it goes for total coverage.

oh yeah, don't get wireless "Pre"-N until at the VERY least the specification is finalized.

 

I would go with a solid G until the N gets finalized. If you are looking to get N, realize that it might be awhile before things are completely done. G is the most friendly with everything right now, and will be for awhile.

 

but be sure to realize if you have a laptop now that you want to use with your future N-network , you will be using a external card or need a new wireless card .because i dont know any laptops that have it standart built in now.

 

I run seperate componets on system. Buy a 8 port SMB gigabit router now. Then when every thing is straighten out in 9-12 mo add the AP.

 

D-Link DIR655 Xtreme N, get it and be happy

 

What is a recomendation on the best G router - I have an XPS m1210 with pre n card.

 

My pick would be Dlink DGL-2300

 

Thats all you need .gigabit ? 802.11n ? MIMO, Not that speed but Security
That come with it , like WPA2, Try Netgear WNR834T, I'm using this,so far so good.No needs upgrade for firmwares,,,Yet? Good Luck.