wireless router choice

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jo-Anne
  • Start date Start date
J

Jo-Anne

I just bought a Dell notebook with Windows XP Pro SP2 and an Intel 4965 WLAN
(802.11a/g/n) mini card. I'm now looking for a wireless router to replace my
old router.

I will continue using--on the network--my 5-year-old Dell desktop running
Windows XP Home SP3. It has a DSL connection and a wired Netgear router, as
well as a Zoom modem I "rent" from my ISP.

It's likely that I will be the only person to use the computers--business
and personal, but not gaming. I'll be taking the notebook on trips and will
need to use it at public hotspots. I'm after speed, reliability, and
security.

I've read as much as I can absorb at the Linksys website and have looked at
its routers, but the company sells around 10 that are Wireless-N. Friends
with notebook computers tell me just to buy the cheapest name-brand wireless
router at any of the big-box stores. That's not my usual method of
purchasing anything, so I thought I'd ask here:

Any recommendations for type? brand? model?

Thank you!

Jo-Anne
 
Jo-Anne said:
I just bought a Dell notebook with Windows XP Pro SP2 and an Intel 4965
WLAN (802.11a/g/n) mini card. I'm now looking for a wireless router to
replace my old router.

I will continue using--on the network--my 5-year-old Dell desktop running
Windows XP Home SP3. It has a DSL connection and a wired Netgear router,
as well as a Zoom modem I "rent" from my ISP.

It's likely that I will be the only person to use the computers--business
and personal, but not gaming. I'll be taking the notebook on trips and
will need to use it at public hotspots. I'm after speed, reliability, and
security.

I've read as much as I can absorb at the Linksys website and have looked
at its routers, but the company sells around 10 that are Wireless-N.
Friends with notebook computers tell me just to buy the cheapest
name-brand wireless router at any of the big-box stores. That's not my
usual method of purchasing anything, so I thought I'd ask here:

Any recommendations for type? brand? model?

Thank you!

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...

I'm using Belkin F5D-7230-4( 4= # of wired?ports), and it does fine. Good
warranty, too! sam
 
You can try my D-Link DIR-655 out of my cold dead hands, but I'd probably
still fight hard even after death. It's a work of beauty and worth every
single penny. I'd have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone.
 
Thank you, Cari! This one looks great from what I've read so far (after
first seeing it mentioned in your post). One question: A review at Amazon
claimed it runs hot. Is that true for yours?

Jo-Anne
 
Another vote for Netgear.

I have had nothing but trouble with Linksys devices
and now stay away from them.

Be aware that N-speed devices can be *very* mgfr
specific - i.e. you need to use that mgfrs wireless
card in your notebook AND the same mgfrs router to
see the high speeds. Which means if you roam around
you likely won't connect at N-speeds.

If reliability is key for you (it is for me) just stick with
54 Mbps 802.11g devices. The Netgear WGR614
is what I'm using and it's a steal - usually available for
$39.99.
 
Cari (MS-MVP) said:
You can try my D-Link DIR-655 out of my cold dead hands, but I'd probably
still fight hard even after death. It's a work of beauty and worth every
single penny. I'd have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone.
Click to expand...


I second the D-Link choice..


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
 
Thank you,Vance! I hadn't realized it would be best to use the same
manufacturer for the router as for the wireless card in the notebook. My
wireless card is an Intel...

Jo-Anne
 
Thank you, Mike! Does it matter that my notebook card is an Intel? Someone
else mentioned that you generally get the best results using the same
manufacturer for both the card and the router.

Jo-Anne
 
Jo-Anne said:
Thank you, Mike! Does it matter that my notebook card is an Intel? Someone
else mentioned that you generally get the best results using the same
manufacturer for both the card and the router.

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...


Jo-Anne

It really doesn't make much difference as long as the type is the same as in
'b and/or g and/or n'


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
 
Jo-Anne said:
Thank you, Mike! Does it matter that my notebook card is an Intel? Someone
else mentioned that you generally get the best results using the same
manufacturer for both the card and the router.

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...
I have a dell with Intel Pro Wireless 2915ABG and I have no problem
moving it around the country and hitting other equipment. Wireless G.
I'm in a hotel in Vermont right now on their wireless.
 
Thank you, Al!

Jo-Anne

Big_Al said:
I have a dell with Intel Pro Wireless 2915ABG and I have no problem moving
it around the country and hitting other equipment. Wireless G.
I'm in a hotel in Vermont right now on their wireless.
Click to expand...
 
I second the D-Link choice..

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
Click to expand...

I would stay way from any current D-Link Wireless N routers. D-Link
support currently states that the Intel Centrino wireless adaptes
(4965 ABGN) will be limited to 130.0 Mbps access speeds instead of the
max 300.0 Mbps.

I have tested an Intel Wireless Wifi 4965 ABGN adapter with D-Link
router and it never passed 130.0 Mbps access speed. Can anyone
confirm this???
 
Well I bought a Netgear wireless, works fine for me
Click to expand...

DL -- Does this Netgear router work well with an Intel Centrino
wireless adapter (access speed of 300.0 Mbps?) If yes, please post
model number since I have someone with a Intel 4965 ABGN adapter that
never connected pass 54Mbps access speeds on most Wireless N routers.
 
Jo-Anne:

It's mostly the Wireless-N speeds that are inconsistent.
It's a relatively new spec, and mgfrs are implementing it
differently, resulting in some problems.

If you don't need, or expect, N speed to work everywhere
you go, you will be OK.

My point is why pay for it if it might not work all the time?
 
Jo-Anne said:
I just bought a Dell notebook with Windows XP Pro SP2 and an Intel 4965 WLAN
(802.11a/g/n) mini card. I'm now looking for a wireless router to replace my
old router.

I will continue using--on the network--my 5-year-old Dell desktop running
Windows XP Home SP3. It has a DSL connection and a wired Netgear router, as
well as a Zoom modem I "rent" from my ISP.

It's likely that I will be the only person to use the computers--business
and personal, but not gaming. I'll be taking the notebook on trips and will
need to use it at public hotspots. I'm after speed, reliability, and
security.

I've read as much as I can absorb at the Linksys website and have looked at
its routers, but the company sells around 10 that are Wireless-N. Friends
with notebook computers tell me just to buy the cheapest name-brand wireless
router at any of the big-box stores. That's not my usual method of
purchasing anything, so I thought I'd ask here:

Any recommendations for type? brand? model?

Thank you!

Jo-Anne
Click to expand...
Get the 803.11/n--it is much faster and the last I read it will be the
standard for a long while.

--

Rick
Fargo, ND
N 46°53'251"
W 096°48'279"

Remember the USS Liberty
http://www.ussliberty.org/
 
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