I'm looking for recommendations on a wireless router for my home. Typical use...desktop power mac with a lan connection an several laptops and gaming systems connecting with wifi. I don't say this much, but money is not a factor. I just want a killer router. Everything in the house is close. Thanks.
I have a Netgear WNDR600. I was strictly using the wifi only when I was temporarily living at my sisters house for a few months earlier this year. I never had any gaming issues playing Bad Company 2 online....none.
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But it was fun to flash DDWRT on it. I use it now as a repeater/bridge of sorts (which of course means it uses half the bandwidth to connect to the main router).
Maybe not top notch, but it's solid for sure -- 5/5 "eggs" with over 3500 reviews (an insane number for newegg)
One of the best routers available right now is the D-Link DIR-825. It is Gigabit gaming router with simultaneous dual-band wireless on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. And it is capable of broadcasting on all wireless bands: a/b/g/n.
I have the Cisco RV110W, it has 64MB RAM, 32MB ROM, 300mhz CPU. Single-band Wireless N, G, B and 10/100 ports. Also, many other features such VLAN, multiple SSID, etc. $90 Cdn.
It handles 1 desktop, 6 laptops, streaming TV, a Wii consule (Netflix), 4 phones and 2 3DS units without issue.
Be aware that to make use of dual band routers your devices need to support 5ghz. Phones do not, most laptops don't but with a USB dongle can. My opinion is dual-band is not needed. Your ISP is the bottleneck long before your internal network speed.
Last edited by andruoid; November 13th, 2011 at 12:39 PM.
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My opinion is dual-band is not needed. Your ISP is the bottleneck long before your internal network speed.
The 5Ghz band isn't just useful for throughput; it's also a huge benefit if you live in an area with lots of competing wireless APs stomping all over your signal. Because it's less common in consumer-level kit there's a much better chance of you finding 'clear air', provided you of course have devices that support 5Ghz.
The 5Ghz band isn't just useful for throughput; it's also a huge benefit if you live in an area with lots of competing wireless APs stomping all over your signal. Because it's less common in consumer-level kit there's a much better chance of you finding 'clear air', provided you of course have devices that support 5Ghz.
Definitely, there are many more channels on the 5ghz band. I did a site survey with inSSIDer and in my area there are 20-25 APs in range. All using the 2.4ghz band as well. I've never had an issue with interference.
Sometimes you just want fast network transfers too -- not just fast internet. I have a NAS and it's nice to get decent speed without having to plug in -- though... I still plugin if I really need the bandwidth.
Last edited by alostpacket; November 13th, 2011 at 04:00 PM.
Reason: Hi-speed-dual-channel typo
There are a mix of 6 different laptops in the house. All are built-in single antenna so 300 speeds are not possible unless a dual antenna USB dongle is used. 150 speeds are standard. Saying that, I assume an Android has a single antenna as well.
There are a mix of 6 different laptops in the house. All are built-in single antenna so 300 speeds are not possible unless a dual antenna USB dongle is used. 150 speeds are standard. Saying that, I assume an Android has a single antenna as well.
Yeah, you're probably right about that. At least your phone can still do 150Mbps instead of 54Mbps.
Need a new wireless router
