Linksys vs. Dlink wireless routers

[mtnagel]

Is there any reason why I should spend double for the Linksys brand as opposed to the Dlink (for Linksys 802.11g router and one PCI card, it's $100 after discounts and rebates, but it's only $50 for the same with the DLink brand)?

Matt

 

[wbresson]

IMO go Dlink

 

[InlineFive]

IMO go Linksys

I have a Linux based WRT54g/s and it's a charm to work with. I have hacked firmware (very common being as it's based on Linux) which gives it great flexibility and stability.

 

[Haden]

If you don't intend to hack Linksys router, I suggest to go for DLink

 

[mtnagel]

Originally posted by: Haden
If you don't intend to hack Linksys router, I suggest to go for DLink

I'm not sure why I would want to hack it, but 99% of the time it will simply be used to share a DSL connection, so I would doubt I would need to hack it for that.

 

[Cyberclark]

I would personally check with your DSL provider and see which if any routers they support.

I personally have used linksys routers for years and find them very easy to work with. However I am have some friends who have other brands of routers that they bought to save a few bucks upfront and have nothing but grief down the road when trying to get support from various software manufacturers and/or ISP's trying to get things to work. However many games, apps, and ISP's will give you step by step instructions on how to make it work with a linksys.

In the long run even though it may cost more upfront I think the linksys routers have a better Total Cost of Ownership.

One rule in life I actually learned from my late father is in the end it always seems you get what you pay for. A router and wireless card is the backbone of your home network. If you want hassles and troubles buy the $50 one. If you want a smooth easy going experience spend the extra cash

 

[Paulson]

Linksys routers are awesome... I've got 2 wireless linksys routers and know of many clients who have them as well

anytime I end up dealing with dlink wireless routers it is a royal pain in the ass...

 

[mtnagel]

Well, I ended up going to Office Max to get the Dlink, but they were out of the routers, so the guy substituted a Belkin g wireless router. It's regular price was $10 more than the Dlink, and they gave me all the discounts and rebates right up front. I think it was regularly $70 and they took off $40, so I got it for $30 (the discounted price of the Dlink).

So how are Belkin routers? I installed it on my machine in about 5 mins. It appears like it's working, but the PCI wireless card (Dlink) I bought didn't work in my other pc. I called their tech support and the guy told me to return it. Should I get a Belkin one to match, or does it not matter since they are both just the 802.11g and not the boosted ones or anything?

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: mtnagel
Well, I ended up going to Office Max to get the Dlink, but they were out of the routers, so the guy substituted a Belkin g wireless router. It's regular price was $10 more than the Dlink, and they gave me all the discounts and rebates right up front. I think it was regularly $70 and they took off $40, so I got it for $30 (the discounted price of the Dlink).

So how are Belkin routers? I installed it on my machine in about 5 mins. It appears like it's working, but the PCI wireless card (Dlink) I bought didn't work in my other pc. I called their tech support and the guy told me to return it. Should I get a Belkin one to match, or does it not matter since they are both just the 802.11g and not the boosted ones or anything?

Personally I would return it and buy either a Linksys, Netgear or DLink router. I have owned all of those and they are solid.

 

[Cheetah8799]

mtnagel, set it up and find out yourself.

The dslreports.com forums are good for specific model issues.

Every brand has their trouble models. Hopefully you got something that'll work for you.

Personally I like the Netgear MR814v2 router. 802.11b, but I don't use it for anything more than wireless internet surfing. works great!

 

[mtnagel]

Originally posted by: PorBleemo
Personally I would return it and buy either a Linksys, Netgear or DLink router. I have owned all of those and they are solid.

Really? I thought Belkin made good stuff? I thought I was getting a deal - not only a Belkin router, but not having to wait 2 months for the $20 for the rebate.

 

[Phooey]

The funny thing about this question is that 7 years ago you might have been asking; "3Com vs. Linksys is 3Com worth double?" The answer then was no it is not and that answer holds true today. If the D-Link has the features you need and costs less go with it. I've had good luck with many D-Link products.

 

[coolred]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I am still debating this subject myself. While I have no NEED to hack the linksys, I do want to really leanr about networking, so would th elinksys be better since it is hackable and adds a lot of extra stuff to it. Is it stuff that non power users would still use? Like I said I want to learn about networking, but am wondering if the extras fromt he linksys are a benefit to me. What exactly do I get with the hacked firmware?

I plan to use it to form a small network of likely 2 computers, maybe 3 a bit later, I need it to run a line to my Tivo for guide updates, I also plan to connect my PS2 and possiblly an Xbox I may be getting. I think thats about it, so what do you think?

 

[plummer66]

I've dealt with 3 Dlinks and 1 linksys. Both kick @ss. Go with cheaper....why spend more to do the same thing............ : )

 

[vfrjim]

D-link's techsupport is located in the US, Linksys is in India, you choose.

 

[RaymondY]

I personally just switched from my Linksys -B wifi setup to a Netgear -G wifi setup. Installation and setup and smooth and easy. All the Netgear stuff that I got from Circuit City had a rebate too, making it cheaper than the equal Linksys stuff.

I'm happy with my Netgear gear

 

[mtnagel]

Well, in the month since I posted this, I've had no problems with my Belkin router. I bought a Netgear USB wireless adapter for the other computer in my network and on Win ME, the software kept eating system resources to the point that the system would crash within 5-10 mins of restarting it. I switched to XP and haven't had a single problem with it since then.

 

[coolred]

Originally posted by: plummer66
I've dealt with 3 Dlinks and 1 linksys. Both kick @ss. Go with cheaper....why spend more to do the same thing............ : )

Excellant point, thats why I need to find out what exactly he hacked linksys offers over the regular dlink of the same caliber. I have seen lists of what the hacked linksys firmware include, but as of yet I don't know what the majority of it does, but as I said, I do want to learn about this, so maybe some of it will be useful to me.

D-link's techsupport is located in the US, Linksys is in India, you choose.

That I didn't even think of, thats an excellant point.


It seems like right now the linksys stuff is on sale, at least until tomorrow, so should I go get that now, or wait and see if dlink goes on sale next week?

 

[Modder N Art]

I support both D-Link and Linksys routers, and by far prefer the D-Link. The menus and configuration options seem not only more extensive, but much easier to use and understand. And the D-Links that I use (DI-624s) have configuration options that the Linksys (don't remember model, at a different location) does.

Since I often have very varied devices (new/old, B/G) on the networks, I appreciate that the D-Link allows me to force long preamble, increasing compatibility with older B devices, or B devices that don't play well with others, like original "Airport" cards.

Lisa

 

[JiveMiguel]

Go Netgear!

 

[saimike]

aside from features ... one thing that makes linksys stand out is its 2 antennas, so its able to build upon diversity gain for better reception. also, some wifi routers have detachable antennas to allow the user to install higher gain antennas.

 

[0roo0roo]

big linksys advantage http://forums.anandtech.com/me...y&keyword1=linksys

 

[roofles]

I would def go with D-Link, here is my story:

I bought a WRT54G to replace my Dlink 614+ so I could get wireless-g + use the hacked firmware available for the Linksys. Well, everything installed fine, flashed to wifibox firmware, and everything was humming along fine. an hour later, internnet connectivity is down. Scratching my head, figure maybe it was the firmware? But anyway, reboot of router, internet connectivity back up. An hour later, same story. I spent about a day trying to figure it out, went to sveasoft firmware, then went back to stock firmware, same thing. After a couple of days of testing I narrowed it down to bit torrent traffic. I use Azureus, and tried the slow connection method, tried limiting global connections, and that worked (but i have to limit to something ridiculous like 10-20 or it will still bring everything down). So basically now what I'm doing is putting the Dlink in front, and I have the Linksys connected to the Dlink to provide the wireless services. All the hackable features are pretty much useless since it is no longer my main router. The D-link has been working fine ever since, no more network issues.