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Wireless Router Question

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Serious Business ▸ Wireless Router Question
Rider_In_Ttown's avatar

Rider_In_Ttown

Senior Member

246 posts
May 2, 2010 12:37 PM
I just bought a laptop and was told I need to purchase a wireless router. I do not know anything about these. I called my internet provider and they told me they could give me one for $150. I searched a few sites and I see them ranging in price starting at $20 and going as high as like $1000. Anybody have ant recommendations? Are there features I should be looking into with these? I don't want to buy a cheap one and find that it slows down my laptop or anything. ALso, are they pretty easy to install yourselves? The internet provider said for $150 they come out and install and make sure all your computers are properly hooked up.
May 2, 2010 12:37pm
wes_mantooth's avatar

wes_mantooth

Tomfoolery & shenanigans

17,977 posts
May 2, 2010 12:43 PM
Go to walmart or staples and buy a linksys. They run around 50 bucks or so...but they are the best for the money.

Netgears are pretty decent as well.
May 2, 2010 12:43pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

Senior Member

16,351 posts
May 2, 2010 12:45 PM
all wireless routers are about the same. I do 2nd the recommendation for the linksys, but I had a $20 Belkin that lasted me 3 years.
May 2, 2010 12:45pm
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

The Biggest Boss

13,948 posts
May 2, 2010 12:51 PM
I 3rd the Linksys recommendation. One thing to check is what kind of wireless card you have in your laptop. It's probably an 802.11g, but it could possibly be an wireless-N card, in which you would need to get a router that supports 802.11n.

If 802.11g:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Linksys-WRT54GS2-Wireless-G-Broadband-Router-with-SpeedBooster-Technology/10983393

If 802.11n:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Cisco-Expert-E1000-Ultra-Wireless-N-Router/14066653
May 2, 2010 12:51pm
fiction's avatar

fiction

USA American

347 posts
May 2, 2010 12:59 PM
se-alum wrote: I 3rd the Linksys recommendation. One thing to check is what kind of wireless card you have in your laptop. It's probably an 802.11g, but it could possibly be an wireless-N card, in which you would need to get a router that supports 802.11n.

If 802.11g:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Linksys-WRT54GS2-Wireless-G-Broadband-Router-with-SpeedBooster-Technology/10983393

If 802.11n:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Cisco-Expert-E1000-Ultra-Wireless-N-Router/14066653
i don't think this is true. a wireless-n adapter will work with a wireless-g router. the only thing is you won't utilize the speed of wireless-n. instead, you'll be limited to wireless-g speed.
May 2, 2010 12:59pm
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

The Biggest Boss

13,948 posts
May 2, 2010 1:00 PM
fiction wrote:
se-alum wrote: I 3rd the Linksys recommendation. One thing to check is what kind of wireless card you have in your laptop. It's probably an 802.11g, but it could possibly be an wireless-N card, in which you would need to get a router that supports 802.11n.

If 802.11g:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Linksys-WRT54GS2-Wireless-G-Broadband-Router-with-SpeedBooster-Technology/10983393

If 802.11n:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Cisco-Expert-E1000-Ultra-Wireless-N-Router/14066653
i don't think this is true. a wireless-n adapter will work with a wireless-g router. the only thing is you won't utilize the speed of wireless-n. instead, you'll be limited to wireless-g speed.
Well yea, it would work, but why would you do it? It's another $15 to be able to utilize the wireless-n speed.
May 2, 2010 1:00pm
fiction's avatar

fiction

USA American

347 posts
May 2, 2010 1:00 PM
also, you don't NEED a wireless router with a laptop. you can still hardwire into the modem like a desktop. however that does limit the portability of the laptop within the home. if you're going to be using the computer in just one room, a 20 or 50 foot ethernet cable would work just fine.
May 2, 2010 1:00pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

Senior Member

16,351 posts
May 2, 2010 1:01 PM
I;ve been wireless for 5 years and I love it.
May 2, 2010 1:01pm
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

The Biggest Boss

13,948 posts
May 2, 2010 1:08 PM
Wireless is definitely the only way to go. Especially in this day in age where you have PS3's, XBoxes, and iPhones. You can use them all wirelessly.
May 2, 2010 1:08pm
I

I Wear Pants

Senior Member

16,223 posts
May 2, 2010 1:12 PM
If you don't do anything fancy just get a basic Wireless G router.
May 2, 2010 1:12pm
S

seahawks rock

Junior Member

18 posts
May 2, 2010 1:49 PM
Always stick with wireless. The big thinh for laptops is the portability...wired just cripples it
May 2, 2010 1:49pm
fiction's avatar

fiction

USA American

347 posts
May 2, 2010 1:55 PM
seahawks rock wrote: Always stick with wireless. The big thinh for laptops is the portability...wired just cripples it
i completely agree. i just wanted to make sure OP knew he could use the laptop without a wireless router.
May 2, 2010 1:55pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

Senior Member

16,351 posts
May 2, 2010 1:57 PM
fiction wrote:
seahawks rock wrote: Always stick with wireless. The big thinh for laptops is the portability...wired just cripples it
i completely agree. i just wanted to make sure OP knew he could use the laptop without a wireless router.
It's pointless to waste the money on a laptop if you aren't going to use it for it's mobility. You can get a much better performing desktop for much less money if you plan on just using it on one desk.
May 2, 2010 1:57pm
M

MontyBrunswick

May 2, 2010 2:08 PM
As someone else stated, all routers are pretty much the same. If you like to play games or download via BitTorrent, some consumer-level routers (stuff you'll find at Wal-Mart) can choke when they are bombarded with lots of connections at once.

We had to buy another router because we have four college students who download/play games/do whatever, and our Netgear would flip out and reboot itself whenever someone fired up a torrent.

If you are just going to be doing basic browsing/email...then whatevers cheapest will be 100% fine.

If you're going to be gaming or doing P2P downloading you may want to lean towards a Linksys WRT54G and flash it with a different firmware or something like that.
May 2, 2010 2:08pm
imex99's avatar

imex99

Senior Member

4,927 posts
May 2, 2010 3:45 PM
as most have stated, you can buy linksys,netgear,etc...

I've always had good experiences with linksys. The router your cable company will provide, is that the modem with a wireless antenna on top..... If so, what is it, G/N??? Only benefit would be that you only have one box and not a modem & a router. Also find out if you just get to use it and if you have to return it when ur no longer with them or not...
May 2, 2010 3:45pm
Rider_In_Ttown's avatar

Rider_In_Ttown

Senior Member

246 posts
May 2, 2010 3:57 PM
se-alum wrote: I 3rd the Linksys recommendation. One thing to check is what kind of wireless card you have in your laptop. It's probably an 802.11g, but it could possibly be an wireless-N card, in which you would need to get a router that supports 802.11n.

If 802.11g:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Linksys-WRT54GS2-Wireless-G-Broadband-Router-with-SpeedBooster-Technology/10983393

If 802.11n:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Cisco-Expert-E1000-Ultra-Wireless-N-Router/14066653
This is what the website says it has. Not sure if it is n or a g.
Acer InviLink™ Nplify™ 802.11b/g/Draft-N Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™
May 2, 2010 3:57pm
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

The Biggest Boss

13,948 posts
May 2, 2010 4:39 PM
Here's what I can tell you, someone else can probably add more to it, Draft-N equipment was released prior to the 802.11n protocol being ratified by the IEEE. Unfortunately, I have know idea how capatible it is w/ the finalized standard. To be honest, and I hope this doesn't come across wrong, if you don't know much about routers, you're probably not doing anything w/ your PC that would make you need the N router. I would just just stick to the cheaper G router.
May 2, 2010 4:39pm
krambman's avatar

krambman

Senior Member

3,606 posts
May 3, 2010 10:48 AM
Definitely go with a Linksys. If I were you, I'd go to Best Buy and ask them. The main thing you need to know is what your internet speed is (if it's Road Runner it will either be 3GBPS, 8GBPS, or 15GBPS). Some routers can only handle the first two, so if you're internet is the max speed you'll want one that can handle it. You'll also need to know the range you need. Is this something that's going to be in the center of the house in a ranch-style home, or will it be in a corner downstairs while you're bedroom is in the opposite corner of the house upstairs? If you know your connection speed and range needed, someone at Best Buy can show you what you need. A good Linksys will run you between $50-$80 probably. If you follow the instructions, they are easy to set up and will take you about 15 minutes tops if you decided to set up the security for a private network.
May 3, 2010 10:48am
R

raiderbuck

Senior Member

1,623 posts
May 3, 2010 10:54 AM
I've got a D Link router that I love. I got it for about $50. Replaced my old Belkin wireless router that crapped out on me.
May 3, 2010 10:54am
J

jmog

Senior Member

6,567 posts
May 3, 2010 11:00 AM
$150 is a raping, don't do it.

You can get a good Linksys or Netgear (better than Linksys now in my opinion, but 5 years ago Linksys was about the best out there) for $40-60.

You can easily install these too, its like 5 steps tops and that includes getting a password on there so only your PCs can be on the network, not your neighbor.
May 3, 2010 11:00am
M

MontyBrunswick

May 3, 2010 9:47 PM
krambman wrote: Definitely go with a Linksys. If I were you, I'd go to Best Buy and ask them. The main thing you need to know is what your internet speed is (if it's Road Runner it will either be 3GBPS, 8GBPS, or 15GBPS). Some routers can only handle the first two, so if you're internet is the max speed you'll want one that can handle it.
Everything about this post is completely wrong. Any router you'll find at Wal-Mart or Best Buy will be plenty fast enough to max out any residential connection.

Also, don't go to Best Buy and ask anyone because they don't know anything.
May 3, 2010 9:47pm
j_crazy's avatar

j_crazy

7 gram rocks. how i roll.

8,372 posts
May 4, 2010 2:34 PM
I was under the impression that Wireless N was only noticeably faster when sharing data between computers on the same wireless network. I only have a WRT 54G with a gaming/P2P computer, a laptop, an IPhone, PS3, XBOX 360, and Wii running on it. Never have issue with speed or connectivity, I do have issue with heat.
May 4, 2010 2:34pm
krambman's avatar

krambman

Senior Member

3,606 posts
May 4, 2010 3:21 PM
dlazz wrote:
krambman wrote: Definitely go with a Linksys. If I were you, I'd go to Best Buy and ask them. The main thing you need to know is what your internet speed is (if it's Road Runner it will either be 3GBPS, 8GBPS, or 15GBPS). Some routers can only handle the first two, so if you're internet is the max speed you'll want one that can handle it.
Everything about this post is completely wrong. Any router you'll find at Wal-Mart or Best Buy will be plenty fast enough to max out any residential connection.

Also, don't go to Best Buy and ask anyone because they don't know anything.
j_crazy wrote: I was under the impression that Wireless N was only noticeably faster when sharing data between computers on the same wireless network. I only have a WRT 54G with a gaming/P2P computer, a laptop, an IPhone, PS3, XBOX 360, and Wii running on it. Never have issue with speed or connectivity, I do have issue with heat.
You're right, I was mistaken. Pretty much any router you get now will be able to handle whatever speed your internet is. It's the number of connected devices that matter. A lot of routers begin to slow the connection down after you connect more than two devices, but if one laptop is all you're connecting, then anything you get should be fine.
May 4, 2010 3:21pm