Would like wireless router recommendation

[Ken90630]

I'm not very knowledgeable about wireless routers, and I'd like some recommendations on a good one.

Preferences:

1. Reputable model that's been around awhile
2. Secure -- I know to set up WPA, so is that good enough to keep poaching neighbors out or are there some routers that can be hacked anyway by a cyberweasel with too much time on his hands?
3. Reasonably easy for a novice to set up & configure
4. One that the Anandtech community is familiar with
5. Preferably under $100
6. At least Wireless G

And do I need Wireless N or is G gonna be good enough? I'd like as much range as possible, which has me thinking an N network might be better? I dunno.

I know the Linksys WRT54GL is popular, but I'd like to compile a list of 3 or 4 recommended ones & then decide between them. TIA.

 

[JackMDS]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-134-_-Product

 

[Ken90630]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-134-_-Product

Looks nice, and the price is right. One question: What's your take on installing 3rd party firmware on it like Tomato or DD-WRT? Yes or no, and which one? I know next to nothing about either, so if I'm going to flash the firmware with either one I'll obviously have to read up on them. My superficial take is that I would probably only want to do that if it would increase the range, but I dunno.

 

[amdskip]

I'll second JackMDS. Personally I flash mine with ddwrt and yes it is highly advisable to flash them. They are rock solid after flashing and it's extremely easy to increase the range.

 

[JackMDS]

Looks nice, and the price is right. One question: What's your take on installing 3rd party firmware on it like Tomato or DD-WRT? Yes or no, and which one? I know next to nothing about either, so if I'm going to flash the firmware with either one I'll obviously have to read up on them. My superficial take is that I would probably only want to do that if it would increase the range, but I dunno.

Unlike the Linksys WRT54 the Buffalo is good as is.

If you need extra features take a look at Tomato and DD-WRT.

If the features that you need are available in Tomato Flash with Tomato.

Tomato features - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato_(firmware)#Features

Otherwise, use DD-WRT - http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/What_is_DD-WRT?#Features

It is much easier to Flash Tomato than DD-WRT, thus to avoid frustration and Bricking risk I would recommend to casual “Flashers” to go with Tomato.

----------------------------
As an indirect side Note.

Routers are actually small computers with very weak CPU, small memory, and the Firmware acts as the OS.

Just like you do not expect using a NetBook for 3D Gaming, do not expect Entry Level Routers to perform well under the load that is generated by heavy P2P or similar downloads.

 

[Carbo]

Like the OP, I am also in the market for a wireless router as I set up a home network.
Being new at this I have been reading and researching. It seems that no matter what router someone recommends, there is someone equally adamant that the router is the worst piece of garbage on the market. So I don't know what to buy or do at this point.

 

[boomhower]

At this point I don't see a reason not to N. If you do any video streaming you will thank yourself 100 times over. With the right encode settings you can stream 1080P without issue. I like Linksys and Netgear myself but Buffalo has some nice stuff out now too. I have a WRT610N and will never go back from dual band. I use the 5Ghz band for media streaming and the 2.4Ghz band for web surfing and it works great.

 

[Ken90630]

Unlike the Linksys WRT54 the Buffalo is good as is.

If you need extra features take a look at Tomato and DD-WRT.

If the features that you need are available in Tomato Flash with Tomato.

Tomato features - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato_(firmware)#Features

Otherwise, use DD-WRT - http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/What_is_DD-WRT?#Features

It is much easier to Flash Tomato than DD-WRT, thus to avoid frustration and Bricking risk I would recommend to casual “Flashers” to go with Tomato.

----------------------------
As an indirect side Note.

Routers are actually small computers with very weak CPU, small memory, and the Firmware acts as the OS.

Just like you do not expect using a NetBook for 3D Gaming, do not expect Entry Level Routers to perform well under the load that is generated by heavy P2P or similar downloads.

Got it. As always, thanks a mil. :thumbsup:

 

[Heinrich]

At this point I don't see a reason not to N. If you do any video streaming you will thank yourself 100 times over. With the right encode settings you can stream 1080P without issue. I like Linksys and Netgear myself but Buffalo has some nice stuff out now too. I have a WRT610N and will never go back from dual band. I use the 5Ghz band for media streaming and the 2.4Ghz band for web surfing and it works great.

I have been wanting one of these for a year. Its replacement, the E3000, I understand is the same hardware. Unfortunately on the Newegg user reviews it gets many bad reviews with problems. Maybe I'll order from Amazon for the no restocking fee.

 

[gychang]

We will be moving to Phoenix, AZ, to a large single story home (6K sq feet).

Main interest will be mainly fast wifi internet connection from about 5 PCs (win7, linux), Likely Cox cable will be used.

which N capable is a good candidate? for maximal range of coverage? Considering this Buffalo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162033

gychang

 

[jlazzaro]

We will be moving to Phoenix, AZ, to a large single story home (6K sq feet).

Main interest will be mainly fast wifi internet connection from about 5 PCs (win7, linux), Likely Cox cable will be used.

which N capable is a good candidate? for maximal range of coverage? Considering this Buffalo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162033

gychang

create your own thread instead of jacking Ken's