Need a wireless router

Discussion in 'Buying Tips and Advice' started by Gioman, Feb 7, 2009.

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  1. Gioman, Feb 7, 2009

    Gioman macrumors newbie

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2009
    Location:
    Sweden
    #1
    A couple of months ago our D-link wireless router (not sure about the model) broke. The time has now come to buy a new one. But I am a WiFi rookie....

    - Are there any brands I should stay away from? I currently know only Belkin and D-Link.

    - The price should not exceed $100; though exceptions could be made.

    - Is it possible to have more than 4 ethernet-ports?

    - 802.11n would be ideal; seeing as I am not aware of the compatibility of the various computers in the home, which are: PowerBook (early 2005), iPod Touch, a 2007 PC, (and most likely a MacBook soon).

    Thanks in advance.
     
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  2. Doju, Feb 7, 2009

    Doju macrumors 68000

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2008
    #2
    Airport Express or Extreme. Buy from Apple, guarenteed compatibility.

    Express is around $70 refurbished, and has an incredible range. 11.n also.
     
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  3. pol0001, Feb 7, 2009

    pol0001 macrumors 6502

    pol0001

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2008
    Location:
    London
    #3
    What do you need the router for? (More than 4 Ethernet ports??) Just data traffic in your network or do you also want to connect a printer or a hard drive to it?
     
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  4. Gioman, Feb 7, 2009

    Gioman thread starter macrumors newbie

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    Jan 28, 2009
    Location:
    Sweden
    #4
    @ Doju:
    The Express sounds great, but, I am doubtful it would work. Why? The wireless router has to act as the router for everything else. Hard to explain...
    The Extreme would work, if you understand what I mean... but it is expensive. Also, I live in Sweden, refurb isnt available.

    @ Pol0001:
    No need for printer or hard disk.
    There are 6 computers in the house plus an iPod Touch (and maybe a MacBook soon). 2 of the computers need wireless - otherwise they have to share an ethernet cable with a Rev A PowerBook (no wifi), which is what they have been doing lately. 4 of the computers use wired internet, although the iMac could potentially go wireless.

    Are there any routers with more than 4 ports on the consumer market?
     
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  5. Patriks7, Feb 7, 2009

    Patriks7 macrumors 65816

    Patriks7

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2008
    #5
    I would look at Netgear. They have great products and from my experience their prices are pretty good as well.
    I just did a quick search and found the WNR2000 which should fit your needs pretty well, and costs around 100$ (Amazon).
    If you want, go to
    http://www.netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways.aspx?for=Home+Networking
    and look for more products which you think would fit you/your budget best.
    Hope this helped a bit ;)
     
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  6. Gioman, Feb 7, 2009

    Gioman thread starter macrumors newbie

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2009
    Location:
    Sweden
    #6
    Looks interesting, and is pretty cheap here in Sweden too.
    I'll compare this with similarly priced routers.

    Thanks.
     
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  7. InkMaster, Feb 8, 2009

    InkMaster macrumors 6502a

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2007
    Location:
    Nagoya, Japan
    #7
    I think anyone would be stupid to buy an Airport from the Apple store. They're so horribly overpriced there its not even funny. Look on eBay - most sellers will be perfectly fine with shipping it elsewhere as long as you're polite, pay on time etc...

    I bought my Airport Extreme on eBay also and it worked 100% perfect for 7-8 month now.

    Just a quick search...

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120360936078
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110348482968
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150322241196

    and hundreds more in either new, or mint condition that can be had for half off Apple's price. Just when/if you choose to buy this way, keep in mind that it would be preferred to get the MB053LL/A model as thats the second generation one which has the gigabit ethernet ports (first N Airport Extreme had only 100Mbit ports)

    If you need more ports then the 3 that are on the Airport Extreme, what I would recommend doing is getting the Airport for the great wireless speeds and range, and then getting a second router for the extra ports. For example a Linksys (absolutely love them, great products) BEFSR41 can be had for about 20-30 dollars on eBay. And if the 4 ports aren't enough you can get a BEFSR81 for about 70-80.

    If you choose to do it this way, just set the second router in bridge mode and it'll interoperate 100% with everything else on the network no matter if its connected via wifi via the Airport, the ethernet ports on the Airport or the ethernet ports on the Linksys.
     
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