I know there are lots of threads about which routers to get but I couldn't find concrete opinions on the issues I need, and trying to google certain issues wasn't bringing up anything other than routers for sale.
I am going to need to buy a wireless router in the next few weeks, as my room mate is moving and will be taking his.
I have a 6 year old PC that will be plugged in with ethernet cable. This PC will not be seeing heavy use since my MBP is supposed to arrive tomorrow.
I was toying with the idea of the Airport Extreme Base Station for a while, but I am a student, and just bought a laptop and should probably be more stringent with my money.
I had my mind set on the WRT310N-CA but I am having hesitations. I plan to mainly be using wireless in the future, so the gigabit ethernet ports offer no huge benefit (correct?). And even if I do want to plug in, the main use will be internet connection and not wired file transfer etc. Am I correct in the belief that gigabit has no real advantage if you are using a wireless network, and wired connections are only really for internet anyways?
The second issue is single band (2.4) or dual band (2.4 and 5.0). The WRT310N is single band and would probably do the job fine, but im just thinking into the future. My MBP will be wireless N, but i have an iPod touch and want the ability to let others connect to the network fine.
The WRT400N router is a bit more than the WRT310N, and has dual band, minus the gigabit ethernet.
So for majority WIRELESS use, would the WRT400N be a more suitable router with the dual band, over the WRT310N?
I am having trouble keeping my thoughts simple at the moment, I apologize. I realize the AEBS would take care of both these issues, and I may indeed end up with it, but $ wise I shouldnt be spending $200 on a router at the moment, and would like to get a decent router for the time being that will serve me well if I don't decide to upgrade in the near future.
*quick edit: WRT310N is $98 canadian, WRT400N is $130. In the end, not much difference.
I also forgot to mention, I will be using a 500 gb external drive for time machine backups, and while the wireless backup feature of the AEBS would be nice, it isn't a necessity. Anytime I would be working on important files for school I would likely be at my desk using my external monitor (and having my usb hub with the HD attached plugged in). having the extra backups anytime Im in my apartment would be nice, but not a deal breaker at the moment, part of the reason i can't justify the AEBS right now.
I am going to need to buy a wireless router in the next few weeks, as my room mate is moving and will be taking his.
I have a 6 year old PC that will be plugged in with ethernet cable. This PC will not be seeing heavy use since my MBP is supposed to arrive tomorrow.
I was toying with the idea of the Airport Extreme Base Station for a while, but I am a student, and just bought a laptop and should probably be more stringent with my money.
I had my mind set on the WRT310N-CA but I am having hesitations. I plan to mainly be using wireless in the future, so the gigabit ethernet ports offer no huge benefit (correct?). And even if I do want to plug in, the main use will be internet connection and not wired file transfer etc. Am I correct in the belief that gigabit has no real advantage if you are using a wireless network, and wired connections are only really for internet anyways?
The second issue is single band (2.4) or dual band (2.4 and 5.0). The WRT310N is single band and would probably do the job fine, but im just thinking into the future. My MBP will be wireless N, but i have an iPod touch and want the ability to let others connect to the network fine.
The WRT400N router is a bit more than the WRT310N, and has dual band, minus the gigabit ethernet.
So for majority WIRELESS use, would the WRT400N be a more suitable router with the dual band, over the WRT310N?
I am having trouble keeping my thoughts simple at the moment, I apologize. I realize the AEBS would take care of both these issues, and I may indeed end up with it, but $ wise I shouldnt be spending $200 on a router at the moment, and would like to get a decent router for the time being that will serve me well if I don't decide to upgrade in the near future.
*quick edit: WRT310N is $98 canadian, WRT400N is $130. In the end, not much difference.
I also forgot to mention, I will be using a 500 gb external drive for time machine backups, and while the wireless backup feature of the AEBS would be nice, it isn't a necessity. Anytime I would be working on important files for school I would likely be at my desk using my external monitor (and having my usb hub with the HD attached plugged in). having the extra backups anytime Im in my apartment would be nice, but not a deal breaker at the moment, part of the reason i can't justify the AEBS right now.