Wireless Router Advice

[dsnort]

I am new to the Mac, just got an iMac 20" with intel, love it! But I need to get a wireless router so that I can connect my PC laptop to the broadband while I'm at home, I've been looking at a Linksys unit, it's the same manufaccturer as the wifi card in the laptop, but am interested in the Airport that Mac offers. Anyone have any advice?

 

[yellow]

AirPort Base Stations are overpriced and not necessary. I've never had any troubles with NetGear. Linksys and D-Link should be about the same. Avoid Belkin, it's exceedingly low quality.

 

[strider42]

I'll second that. Don't both with airport. Easy to administrate, but third party ones aren't bad either. I'm using a entgear router right now and its been very good and very easy to deal with. After rebates, I got it for less than 20 bucks. I've also had good luck with linksys in the past.

 

[miniConvert]

I recently replaced my D-Link kit with Linksys, which appears to be far superior - though some considerable time had passed since I bought the D-Link.

I'd still recommend Linksys though - flawless operation so far for me.

 

[student_trap]

having never used an airport base station, i cant comment on how well they work (i imagine they work with the usual apple simplicity), however i can say that they are expensive and don't really seem to offer much. i have a netgear at home but haven't set it up yet, however i have been recomended it from many people! another option may be to buy a dedicated router and then get an airport express or something, although this seems a little cumbersome and pricey when you consider an all in one netgear router/modem/wireless box is only £65 in England.

 

[sakasune]

I sold one of my two airport expresses and bought the linksys wireless g (with that "speedbooster" thing). I installed a 3rd party firmware based on linux (www.dd-wrt.com). All I have to say is I get a better signal on the third floor from the linksys router on the first floor, than I do with the airport express thats on the second floor.
If you plan on installing 3rd party firmware, be sure you get the right model number (check out their wiki). I went to Staples and looked at every one they had in the case. The guy asked if I wanted to buy the extended warranty and I said "what I'm doing most likely voids the warranty"

 

[motherduce]

I use a LinkSys Wireless G Router - it's very nice, and my iMac has full bars even outside on my porch.

 

[student_trap]

iMac has full bars even outside on my porch.

how often do you use your imac on the porch?

 

[bartelby]

I have a Linksys Wireless router too.
It's fantastic.

 

[Jon'sLightBulbs]

Go with Buffalo. If not Buffalo, Belkin. Must have WPA.

Buffalo routers and adapters will give you MUCH better reception than any of the Belkin, Linksys, D-Link, or Netgear stuff. The strength of the signal is ridiculously high. The antennas are are so strong that I've gotten 50% better reception using Buffalo over Belkin.


If you must go with one of the big advertisers, just go with Belkin. They're much cheaper, their web based configuration is much more robust, and the reception is NOT any weaker than the rest.

Finally, make Blessed Mary, Ever Virgin sure that the router has WPA encryption. It is much easier to set up than WEP, and is much harder for an outsider to decrypt or hack.