finding a good router

Hi, I used this site to buy my laptop, and am extremely pleased with it, so I thought that you all could help me find a good wireless router as well.

I am looking for a router for a small home network, no more than four computers connected. My brother and I have new laptops, less than a year old, my dad has an older laptop, a Dell Inspiron 2650, and then the oldest computer in the family, a Dell desktop, I think Inspiron 8200. I want to find the fastest router available, but I would like to keep the price between 40-80 dollars.
I would be using it to play World of Warcraft, my brother might be playing a sports game but most likely, everyone else in the family would be using the internet just for surfing.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I am not very knowledgable when it comes to routers.

Thanks for your help.

 

Linksys WRT54GL

$52.99 after $10 MIR

 

I love my Netgear 824 rounter. Super fast, connects and stays connected. Very nice for me.

 

Try this table http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/component/option,com_chart/Itemid,189/

The DGL-4300 would be my choice for a combo router.

 

I second the WRT54GL.

 

I was eyeing the DGL-4300, two problems are that it's at least a hundred bucks, and two it has the word 'gaming' in the name, which would be an impossible sell to the parents. I need to be sneaky about this. I can push the 802.11g rather than the b because the increased security, but i dunno about the DGL. Does anyone have any experience with the WRT54GL and World of Warcraft?

What does WAN to LAN throughput even mean? I don't know how to use that chart.

 

If anything, I would purchase a router that has WPA instead of WEP. I am sure you are all well aware of that fact. Probably doesn't need to be mentioned.

If you want something simple you could try the WGR614CN which is priced for only $29.99.

I would also recommend the Buffalo WHR-G54S. My neighbor has his set up in the apartment next to mine and I can access his router without any problems. No drops in connectivity and very quick.

 

Linksys WRT54GS or WRT54G.

Great wireless router.

 

sailer4eva, WAN to LAN is the speed for moving data across your network, faster the better. The 4300 is 1 of just a few routers that have a gigabit lan speed. This router uses QoS to optomize your gaming experience, this allows for lower lag times. So if your playing a game while someone is surfing, you will get priority, eliminating long lags.

Everyone is hung up on Linksys reputation. They lost their advantage when they moved away from linux code, and at the same time cut the ram in 1/2. Then they tried to push it off as the same hardware, NOT. The Buffalo model is better than the WRT54G, Has twice the ram, like the v4 model.

The GS model has an updated wireless radio, only works with matching card in your pc.

 

Thanks for your help everyone.
So the two models that seem to be most highly recommended are:
Buffalo WHR-G54S
Linksys WRT54GL

Any other suggestions? Also, would I need to buy a wireless card for my older desktop and my older laptop? My family has two brand new dells and two older ones.
Thanks

 

Wireless routers also have wired LAN ports. So, as long as your older desktop and laptop have wired LAN ports, you could just wire them up.

 

Also, what's this open source firmware business? what does that mean? how do you even install things on a router? I'm like a child when it comes to this.

 

Stop stressing......

People get all worked up on security and such when a good basic router still fits ya. I bought a refurbished router via tigerdirect.com over a year ago for $20 and have had no problems. It is a Netgear 624 and offers wpa/wep encryption for those needing the protection. I have full range in the house and even the yard... Most people get to easily flustered and return electronics when it's usually something simple... thank you as those like myself get to save a bundle...