Need a router today: Any real differences between Cisco E1200 or Netgear N300?

[murphy55d]

Both $44.99, both available locally. I've always used Netgear, but it is my old Netgear WPN824 which today decided to kick the bucket.

Seems like these two are the best I can get under $50 local. I know I could order online(and I may still, and return one of these) but if you had to buy one or the other, is there any real preference?

 

[VirtualLarry]

get whatever the cheapest N router is that supports dd-wrt.

 

[JackMDS]

The best sub $50 is this.

Cisco E2500 refurb. $35.

http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Ro...-Router_stcVVproductId138177695VVviewprod.htm

 

[alfa147x]

get whatever the cheapest N router is that supports dd-wrt.

Watch out though. Most of the time that method works... My parents bought an Asus router that was DD-WRT compatible but it's horrible. Wireless radio does not like more than a few devices connected to it. The switch craps out when sending large (5Gb+) of data through it. This was before DD-WRT. After I put DD-WRT on the router it was a bit more stable but now the WAN port is dead and I have to use the 1st port on the switch side. I'm not the only one having trouble with it. Tons of posts on their forms with issues. If I remember the model # I'll update this post.

 

[JackMDS]

LOL, DD-WRT was turned by many users to some king of modern "Snake Oil".

DD-WRT is a Great Upgrade when it is needed for specific features, otherwise it might Not help in anything, or sometimes it might hider the Wireless aspect of the Routers.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Watch out though. Most of the time that method works... My parents bought an Asus router that was DD-WRT compatible but it's horrible. Wireless radio does not like more than a few devices connected to it. The switch craps out when sending large (5Gb+) of data through it. This was before DD-WRT. After I put DD-WRT on the router it was a bit more stable but now the WAN port is dead and I have to use the 1st port on the switch side. I'm not the only one having trouble with it. Tons of posts on their forms with issues. If I remember the model # I'll update this post.

Just having DD-WRT doesn't make the basic hardware immune to flaws. It has been my experience that DD-WRT is generally more stable, and of course, more feature-rich, than factory stock firmware. It may not have as high performance though.

Edit: recall many reviews of routers where people constantly had to reboot on stock firmware because the router "glitched out", versus many reviews of DD-WRT routers that run for months at a time.

I agree though, it seems like you got a cheap router with hardware problems, that DD-WRT couldn't fix.

 

[alkemyst]

LOL, DD-WRT was turned by many users to some king of modern "Snake Oil".

DD-WRT is a Great Upgrade when it is needed for specific features, otherwise it might Not help in anything, or sometimes it might hider the Wireless aspect of the Routers.

QFT

 

[docp]

why not pay 20 more and get apple airport express?
i took one apple airport express after yrs of bbuffalo and linksys.
I cant be happier more.

 

[alfa147x]

why not pay 20 more and get apple airport express?
i took one apple airport express after yrs of bbuffalo and linksys.
I cant be happier more.

Not the right place for this. Oh god. This is not going to end well D:

Plus if you're going to get a router for a decent size place you're going to want the AirPort Extreme ($180). Yes, if you've invested in the Apple ecosystem then it's a good idea if you want something easy and you have the extra cash to throw around. But in this instance it's not a good idea.

This is coming from an Apple user not a biased hater. MacBook Pro, Mini, 2x hackintoshes, Apple Tv, 2x iPads, and iPhone 5. I'm heavily invested in their ecosystem yet I don't have an AirPort Express or Extreme as my router. (Netgear WNR3500v2)

 

[docp]

I agree with your viewpoint but I got sealed brand new airport express for 66 shipped.
and I also got extreme router.
both are working excellent and I loved part of config.
straight away online in 2 minutes.

 

[s44]

get whatever the cheapest N router is that supports Tomato.

FYP

(btw, Shibby's Tomato should work on the E2500 refurb)