Best Wireless Router?

[IanE]

I'm getting ready to pick up an Apple MBP this Friday for school, and since it's a mobile computer, I'd love to be able to hang out downstairs, on the couch, in the kitchen and so forth.

I've never had any real experience with networking other than plugging in my cable line to my modem and then to my workstation, so I'd like some opinions on a Wireless router that I can have set up for the MBP and still be able to just hardwire the cable into my workstation.

I'm not nearly as educated as I should be with the frequencies and stuff related with wireless routers, but Newegg recommends that one...

Also, I'm certain the guy at the Apple store will recommend Airport Express, it says it'll work with PC, but if possible I wouldn't mind just hardwiring the cable to the PC, no need to spend $ on a wireless card when it's sitting next to the wall outlet haha.

Any input is greatly appreciated. :]

Ian

 

[Tarrant64]

The Linksys router you linked from newegg will be just fine. Everyonce in awhile there is always someone who gets told that to use a Mac on a wireless network you need a special router, etc. If that was the case a few years, whatever. But today Mac's work on just about any wireless the same as PC's do.

When I had my iBook, there wasn't a wireless network I couldn't get onto. So the Linksys you linked to should be just fine. The WRT54G has been around for a few years now, and is still a pretty popular wireless model(even though there have been different revisions or similar model types).

Some of the Mac's are coming with wireless N now too, so if you find one around the same price range you might as well spring for that as well(personally you probably wouldn't see that much of a gain, but hell, might as well right? ).


With the frequencies, do you have any wireless phones in your home? Sometimes the wireless router will operate at the same frequency as wireless phones. I never had problems with this, but people who have simply had to change the frequency on their wireless router.

 

[IanE]

Hey, thanks for the reply!

The only wireless phones we have are 2 for the landline which never ever see use, but they're both 2.4ghz. I also have a cellphone, but other than that, that's all...

The MacBook Pro states it runs on Wireless N, A, B, and G... is there really a benefit of getting wireless N? I'm not even quite sure what all the letters mean, technically.

 

[Tarrant64]

The different letters stand for different standards of wireless. n(and I think y) being the latest ones out. Don't know if anyone has mentioned y?

Anyways, wireless n is the latest and greatest with a better range and quality wireless signal giving you a faster connection. THis goes for indoors and outdoors. It utilizes MIMO(multiple input multiple output) technology, which gives the the router the ability to better bounce off walls and furniture.

Wireless b,g support other frequences other than 2.4 ghz if its ever a problem, I think N does as well.

 

[JackMDS]

The best value for the money is a High Power 802.11g Buffalo Router.

It is not common that out of 300 people who gave feed back by review over 260 rated it above average.

http://www.ezlan.net/buffalo.html

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833162134

 

[IanE]

Is there going to be a noticeable difference between G and N?? Is it really worth twice the price?

I live in a 1,500 square foot space divided equally on 2 floors, so it's not like I'll be far away from the router, which would be located in the exact center on the 2nd floor...

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: IanE
Is there going to be a noticeable difference between G and N?? Is it really worth twice the price?

I live in a 1,500 square foot space divided equally on 2 floors, so it's not like I'll be far away from the router, which would be located in the exact center on the 2nd floor...

There is No N there is Draft tN, it is expensive and it is going to be obsolete when the real N comes out next year (may be).

http://www.ezlan.net/faq.html#MIMO

Quote from the DI-655 Data Sheet on D-Link Site.

This product is based on IEEE draft 802.11n speciications and is not guaranteed to be
forward compatible with future versions of IEEE 802.11n speciications. Compatibility
with draft 802.11n devices from other manufacturers is not guaranteed. All references
to speed and range are for comparison purposes only. Product speciications, size and
shape are subject to change without notice, and actual product appearance may differ
from that depicted herein.

 

[IanE]

So with N being such an iffy future, the best bet is to just grab an excellent G router? It's not like I plan on using my wireless laptop for downloading or really anything online other than internet browsing, I'll have the hardwired workstation for the more intensive stuff, so I should be fine with just Wireless G?

 

[Tarrant64]

Yup, wireless G would be the way to go then.

 

[IanE]

Well then, it looks like I'll be picking up the Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 tonight haha.

 

[JackMDS]

As far as Internet surfing and download, the Wireless class does not matter.

You Internet is slower than 802.11g.

If N does matter it would matter to files transfer between computers.

 

[s44]

Whether you get the Linksys or Buffalo, the first thing you should do is install Tomato firmware.

The second thing is to set up WPA security on both the router and your (wireless) computers.