Can someone recommend a good, basic wireless router?

[Ken90630]

Hi, all,

I have 3 PCs and 3 printers and would like to be able to print from any of the PCs to any of the printers at all times. I want to get a good, basic wireless router to accomplish this. Any suggestions?

Nothing extravagant or crazy-expensive -- just reliable functionality and ease of use for a router newbie. (And something that's easy to lock down, security-wise, on the wireless end.)

 

[Vad3r]

well, not knowing your printers,

I have a Linksys WRT54GL. It is not considered costly, it has been very reliable to me. However a little behind the times in terms of the "N" wireless.

It supports many free open source firmwares should you wish more out of it from the stock Linksys firmware.

I have one wireless printer, my wife and 2 kids can print to it as well as myself over the network.

If all your printers are wired to 3 different PC's, I cannot be sure this is the right router to recommend.

edit: my wife is using Vista, my son Windows 7, myself Ubuntu linux. I haven't tried my daughters new macbook yet.

 

[blackangst1]

D-Link DIR655 is a pretty solid router.

 

[NXIL]

As Lord Vad3r said, the WRT54GL: the old gold standard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124190

More expensive, but strong and solid, Asus RT-N16

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320038

Linksys e3000, a good unit:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124388

Surprisingly good for its price: Asus RT-N12 (this is B version)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320076

The WRT54GL with Tomato (Polarcloud) 1.28 flashed is pretty awesome.....not cutting edge, but solid.

GL, good luck

 

[NXIL]

Dir 655 is solid and well reviewed:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...215&Tpk=dir655

Another place to look if you want to get fancier is

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless

but they are generally looking at newer and more expensive gear.

GL (good luck, not a subliminal message to get the WRT54GL)

 

[Vad3r]

As Lord Vad3r said, the WRT54GL

haven't heard that since quake2, brings a tear to the eye, sorry, continue looking for your router.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I am currently using WNR2000v2 Netgear routers in WDS mode, with DD-WRT firmware. Works great.

Have a gigabit NAS and 10/100 ethermet Brother inkjet printer.

 

[Ken90630]

Great info, as usual. Looking at each of those recommended models, it looks like any of them would do what I need. I just need to spend a little more time reading about each one in more detail, then make a decision. It looks like it would be hard to go wrong though. Thanks, all.