Tell Me How It Is: N Routers
I know many of our readers and contributors are professional computer techs, so I'm going to solicit some advice for a new purchase, if I may. This is partly due to ignorance and partly due to laziness -- two of my favorite vices. Since I'm not currently in a build cycle for a new computer, I've let my knowledge of current computrifical stuff lapse into the informational equivalent of an Obama cabinet nominee.
The old Linksys G-router at the home cave has recently started to go on the fritz. The CAT-5 stuff still works just dandy, but the radio transmitter seems to be on its last legs, with spotty transmission and unpredictable outages. This has Mrs Jar(egg)head, who is the Laptop Queen, less than pleased. Accordingly, if I am to retain the privileges of sleeping and dining indoors, Something Must Be Done.
My question is this: would anyone care to recommend an N-router priced under $100? My inclination is to stick with Linksys, but as alluded to earlier, I know next to nothing about the current router market -- and I started from a pretty low base point of knowledge in the first place. Fawning adulation (of routers, not me) and horror stories alike are encouraged. Please note that if I get no replies, I'll be forced to report the lot of you to the FBI as homosexual bestiality stalkers.
Extra credit question: what the hell's the difference between "N" and "N-plus"?
The old Linksys G-router at the home cave has recently started to go on the fritz. The CAT-5 stuff still works just dandy, but the radio transmitter seems to be on its last legs, with spotty transmission and unpredictable outages. This has Mrs Jar(egg)head, who is the Laptop Queen, less than pleased. Accordingly, if I am to retain the privileges of sleeping and dining indoors, Something Must Be Done.
My question is this: would anyone care to recommend an N-router priced under $100? My inclination is to stick with Linksys, but as alluded to earlier, I know next to nothing about the current router market -- and I started from a pretty low base point of knowledge in the first place. Fawning adulation (of routers, not me) and horror stories alike are encouraged. Please note that if I get no replies, I'll be forced to report the lot of you to the FBI as homosexual bestiality stalkers.
Extra credit question: what the hell's the difference between "N" and "N-plus"?
posted by Jar(egg)head at 13:41
5 Comments:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/NETGEAR+-+Wireless-N+Router/8998506.p?id=1218007383662&skuId=8998506
Works great, I have had it for about a year now. No problems to date...
Got a Belkin N+ Router model F5D8235-4 for Christmas and it's working great. The plus appears to stand for additional features. Or in other words, marketing. I'll look into it a little more but doesn't seem like anything more than that. In the case of the Belkin I got it has a USB port for hooking up an external hard drive or perhaps a printer.
Ask 3 people, get 3 different opinions. :)
I prefacing this by saying I've not done alot of "hands on techy-stuff" for a few years now.
I've not had to buy a new router in probably 4-5 years, about the same for wireless access points (upstairs, downstairs, office). My devices are Linksys and have been working fine since installed with little to touching/tinkering.
I like them mainly because:
(1) IMHO Linksys tend to be easiest to setup and maintain (some tech I just like to fire-and-forget, not have to mess with it again until I upgrade years later).
(2) In over 10 years (personal and professional) I've never had to replace anything Linksys because it died.
(3) I'm biased towards Cisco products (some might say a Cisco Snob).
From what I hear the Linksys WRT160N is a good one, but have no direct experience with the model yet.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/010810-linksys-wins-pc-advisors-best.html?hpg1=bn
I don't think you can go wrong with Linksys. I have had mine for 2 years and no problems. Mine is kept upstairs and My Mac downstairs picks it up no problem and my sons PS3 in the basement gets it with no signal degradation ( thats 40 feet and 2 floors) the only problems I have is in the afternoon when everyone is on (but that is cable, not the router, a whole other frustrating issue).
I forgot, I agree with Mad about wanting some tech plug n play and I think a router is one of them.
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