New wireless router

[sourceninja]

I want to buy a new wireless router so I can use dd-wrt. My grandparents need a router, so I figured I'd give them my WRT54GS (version 6) and buy myself a new router to play with dd-wrt.

I have a few choices and I'm not sure what is best. My main concern is keeping my xbox 360 working via wireless (works perfect now)

I can get a WRT54GL or a ASUS WL-500G Premium (version 2).

Or I could go with a wireless N router such as the WRT310N. I have a macbook pro with wireless N support so I could use it. However 99% of the time I am not using wireless (I'm connected up at my desk 2 feet from the router's location).

Any suggestions?

 

[kevnich2]

My suggestion would be Asus WL-500G Premium. Good amount of memory and runs nice and solid.

 

[JackMDS]

Once you flash DD-WRT into a Router they all are the same as far as the inerface and the way it dealt with.

The diffeernces that do exsisit are at the core Hardware.

From a core hardware perspective (as mentioned by kevnich2) the Asus is the best choice.

However the core differences are mainly in the Wireless performance.

So if the Wireless is Not really important to buy the least expensive, or the One that the plastic box matches best your decor.

 

[sourceninja]

The only thing I really use wireless for is connecting my xbox 360 to the net for xbox live. Other than that, 99% of the time my mac stays on a wired connection.

I'm thinking the asus is the way to go right now.

 

[kevnich2]

For the price difference, I went with asus. Better wireless and more memory than the WRT54GL. Both will work just fine though if price is really a concern.

 

[sourceninja]

Someone on the ddw-rt forum pointed out the WRT54G-TM which you can get on ebay preflashed and has the same specs (memory and storage wise) as the asus for 50.00. Now I'm confused again LOL.

 

[TazExprez]

I am also considering getting either the WRT54GL or the Asus WL-500G Premium (version 2).

I wonder if the USB ports on the Asus will work with my Brother MFC-7220 laser printer/fax/scanner? I know that only the printing function will be shared, if my machine happens to be compatible. Also, if my machine is compatible, will I be able to print from a WiFi cell phone, like the HTC Touch Pro?

Thanks for any help.

 

[sourceninja]

I did not even consider the usb ports. I think that will put me in the Asus category. I could use that to host my music on samba for all my computers.

 

[TazExprez]

The $30.00 rebate offer for the Asus ends today.

 

[kevnich2]

Don't assume the USB ports will work with DDWRT. Only get a router for use as a router. The more functions you try and include with it the worse the overall product gets. If you want your printer shared on your network, buy a print server. If your looking for networked hard drive space, buy a network NAS unit.

 

[sourceninja]

After talking it over with my wife we went with the dd-wrt. We never actually do mail-in rebates and we won't be buying a usb hard drive for a while. So this is a good low cost solution to play with dd-wrt. Total cost was 57 bucks from newegg.