Poll: Netgear RT314 - Linksys BEFSR41 - SMC Barricade

[zippy]

Which one would you get?

VOTE IN THE POLL

My mom gave me the go ahead to get one of these to network two computers (and more this summer, but that's another story for another day ) and I have a choice of those.

I'm planning on pricematching with staples on the Netgear or Linksys then using a $30 off $100 coupon.

So, for the Netgear it would be $100 ($130 at amazon and buy.com), for the Linksys it would be $75 ($105 at buy.com), and for the SMC it would be $121 from buy.com.

On the one hand, the netgear and linksys are cheaper and prettier (and easier to set up?) but the SMC has a print server (so my mom can print from the other room without needing to wait for my computer). All three are comparable in speed from what it seems.

What would you recommend and why?

Thanks!

By the way, I have done research on them, but it's so close in price that it's a tough call.

 

[Viperoni]

Nothing but Netgear

 

[Techno]

How about adding the Ugate 3200 (or 3200p) to that poll ?

 

[zippy]

Whoaaa momma...I just realized, the Linksys is $105 for a special promo from buy.com so I could PM that with staples and get it for $75!

Take that into account now!

The ugate is too expensive for me, so it would just be taking votes away from the point of this thread. Sorry!

 

[DerProfi]

I likes my Linksys. Some folks say that the Netgear (a.k.a. Zyxel) is faster on the WAN side but I think you can't go wrong with either model. The whole print server thing is a nice feature on the SMC, but I don't know how well it works as a router.

If you have an old 386 or 486 PC sitting around and a couple of NICs, you could always get most of the same functionality with FREESCO.

 

[dcdomain]

I've used both the Linksys and the SMC love both of them, Linksys obviously looks better, but under the desk, it doesn't matter. I own the SMC and the print server is really easy to set up and works great. At the time, the Linksys was $130 after rebate, but the SMC was only $100 with free overnight shipping. So I opted for the SMC. I'd say go with whichever is cheaper because you'll be happy with whichever you get anyway. But if the print server is put to use, then you should obviously grab the SMC.

By the way,the SMC can be had for around $112 from Outpost.com with free overnight shipping.

 

[zippy]

DerProfi, I have both a 3x86 and a 4x86 lying around, but no NICs- so that's out.

dcdomain, I'm just not sure how often the print server will be put to use. I'll ask my mom if she will have to print often. By the way, thanks for the tip on the smc at outpost.

 

[zippy]

I am accidentally going to hit reply now...oops!

 

[arod]

I had the linksys but it corrupted the data when i uploaded stuff to my work, so if you upload alot you might want to think about this. But i also got one of the first ones that came out so it may have needed a softwarer update, which they didn't have when I got mine.

I hav had the barricade ever since, it is by far the best one i have used. The print server kicks ass, especially if you have a printer (laserjet like me), that many people print to. It also has a serial port to use as a backup when you cable dies. Mine does every once in a while and it is nice to be able to have a backup when you need it.

 

[zippy]

I have had 2 cable drops (for 15 minutes each) in a year- I'm not worried about that.

Aparently the data corruption has been fixed in the latest firmware update but I think it was fixed awhile ago too- so your batch may have been bad since it was so early on.

 

[shiznut123]

I say the Linksys because of its value and its easy set up

 

[johnny1111]

I just set up a linksys befsr 41, easy...thats all I got to say. Oh! and I got it from outpost.com, good deal w free overnight shipping.-john

 

[Vrangel]

Zyxel P314 (from makers of all Netgear routers )

People used to buy Netgear and then flash Zyxel firmware.
Point is Zyxel writes full featured firmware but for some
reason castrates Netgear version of it (some features missing).

Now Netgear 314 comes with bootbase version 2.00 which blocks
attempt to flash Zyxel firmware.
Earlier Netgear 314 with 1.05 bootbase are ok.

 

[zippy]

<< Which one is best for the prices I found?

Results

Netgear RT314
4 (votes) 33.33 (%)
Linksys BEFSR41
4 (votes) 33.33 (%)
SMC Barricade
4 (votes) 33.33 (%) >>


D'OH! :frown:

 

[lazyboy]

Linksys

 

[Rifter]

Add the SmartLink IPB-101, its what i use and i love it, got it for 139 Canadian, thats about $85 US.

 

[bonkers325]

linksys baby

 

[AMB]

I'd get the Netgear just to match my FB104 Hub

 

[frank828]

i've set up both the SMC barricade(using at home) and DLINK routers(setup friends).

I would recommend the SMC to anyone that needed a router, this thing was easy to setup and the print server is great(since there is only one printer in the house).

 

[Engineer]

My 2 cents

I've had all three of these routers and I finally chose the Netgear RT314 over the other two.

The Linksys router was very fast and a breeze to set up with it's very good webpage setup. Also has very good port forwarding Ranges. The problem I had with the Linksys (as reported by many others, especially DSL - I'm @Home cable though) is that it would lockup 1 to 2 times per day requiring a hard reset. Not everyone experiences this, but I was one of the unlucky ones

The SMC router was very easy to set up, but the speed (for some reason ) was very slow for me. I tried many settings and the surfing and downloading speed was only 50% or so of the other two routers, especially when other computers were in use at the same time. Again, many have not experienced this, but sadly, I did

The Netgear RT314 is the final router. The setup of this router was a &quot;little&quot; more difficult than the others, as many of the more useful (advanced) features are not accessable in the webpage setup. Those features are set up using Telnet and a &quot;DOS&quot; like menu system. The speed and reliability of this router can't be denied though. This router is as fast, if not faster, than the Linksys and the stability has been &quot;ROCK&quot; solid. I've had this router running for 5 months and reset it once (didn't need to, just turned the power off on the strip). It is somewhat more limited on Port forwarding than the Linksys because of the single port feature vs. port range forwarding of the Linksys...but, unless you have more than 10 ports to forward, this shouldn't be an issue.

My choice: The Netgear RT314........because of the Linksys Lockups....by a narrow margin. The SMC didn't find much room in my heart as it was tooooooo slow for me to even test its features or stability.

Good Luck on your choice!

 

[Jaraxal]

I throw my vote in for the Linksys. I have the BEFSR41 and I love it. I can, however, confirm the lockup. It doesn't happen ALL the time, but occasionally it will lock up and I will loose my web access. Fixing it is as simple as pulling the power for about 5 seconds, reconnecting the power and you're done.

Very minor inconvenience. Then again, I haven't seen it happen in about 4 or 5 weeks.

 

[sharkeeper]

I've used all three.

For speed I'd say the Netgear is the fastest, with the SMC right behind. Most people will NOT see any speed difference unless they have a FAST broadband connection with a LOT of computers sharing it out. (10+)

For features, obviously the Barricade wins hands down. Print servers are expensive on their own. Also, the DB9 [serial] connector allows the use of a POTS modem so you can use that ole shell account when your broadband fails!

It's really a draw I suppose. All units are good. The SMC feels flimsy (all plastic) but who cares? It's something that normally lives under your desk or in a wiring closet so...

If you think the print server would come in handy (who would not?) and have an external modem laying around as well; your choice is obvious.

The only other deciding factor is price.

Cheers!

 

[sd]

I have the Netgear RT314, not that I know how to set it up properly

 

[TungFree]

I got both SMC barricade and the smc networking cards both have great reviews and great reactions from nearly all that have them. mine setup fast and work very well and very fast. I bought them at outpost with free shipping baricade was $116 the cards were $19.95 each I bought 3 and the cards have wake on lan if your motherboard supports it and wake on modem and many fine other featurs.
I could not be happier so far...
TungFree

 

[sharkeeper]

Telnet all the way!

Cheers!