Router for college

[T_Yamamoto]

Hi guys,

I'm wondering what the router of choice would be for a dorm situation.

I'd like to get a dual band router since the 2.4ghz channels will be filled with other routers.

This is the one that I found to be the cheapest and seems to be alright.

Edit: I found this one as well
Requirements:

2.4/5ghz capable
Under 40 dollars (lower, the better)

Would like, but not required:

Gigabyte lan port

 

[alkemyst]

Hi guys,

I'm wondering what the router of choice would be for a dorm situation.

I'd like to get a dual band router since the 2.4ghz channels will be filled with other routers.

This is the one that I found to be the cheapest and seems to be alright.

Edit: I found this one as well
Requirements:

2.4/5ghz capable
Under 40 dollars (lower, the better)

Would like, but not required:

Gigabyte lan port

make sure they are allowed in your dorm.

 

[Elixer]

make sure they are allowed in your dorm.

This.
In fact, lots of them don't allow it, since you are connected to their network, and they offer wireless anyway.
If this is a place off campus, then you can do what you want, since you will pay for a ISP.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

This.
In fact, lots of them don't allow it, since you are connected to their network, and they offer wireless anyway.
If this is a place off campus, then you can do what you want, since you will pay for a ISP.

My campus allows it since wifi doesn't cover most dorm rooms unless you're near the study room.

 

[Elixer]

What kind of range we talking about, and how crowded are you ?
Or in other words, if multiple people are using 2.4Ghz as well, and you are all next to each other, then, things could get messy.
That means, that you would want a router that has more control over wireless, and that usually means, it will run a 3rd party firmware like DD-WRT or Tomato or ...

 

[T_Yamamoto]

What kind of range we talking about, and how crowded are you ?
Or in other words, if multiple people are using 2.4Ghz as well, and you are all next to each other, then, things could get messy.
That means, that you would want a router that has more control over wireless, and that usually means, it will run a 3rd party firmware like DD-WRT or Tomato or ...

I know that the 2.4ghz spectrum will be saturated to death with everyone using cheap routers. I'm going to assume the worse and say that it is going to be beyond messy.

The TP-LINK TL-WDR3500 supports dd-wrt but the stock software seems good enough.

 

[kevnich2]

Honestly a LAN cable is going to be your best bet. Dorm rooms are small enough, just get a few long network cables and plug in what you need either to a switch or a router. 2.4ghz is going to be a lost cause with that environment and who knows about 5ghz.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Honestly a LAN cable is going to be your best bet. Dorm rooms are small enough, just get a few long network cables and plug in what you need either to a switch or a router. 2.4ghz is going to be a lost cause with that environment and who knows about 5ghz.

I have a Nexus 7 that will need wifi in order to be of use. I also will need wifi to connect with my macbook since I don't plan on buying a 25 dollar adapter.

 

[azazel1024]

I know that the 2.4ghz spectrum will be saturated to death with everyone using cheap routers. I'm going to assume the worse and say that it is going to be beyond messy.

The TP-LINK TL-WDR3500 supports dd-wrt but the stock software seems good enough.

I would step up to the WDR3600. Its very nice. Of course if you can't/won't have better than about a 90Mbps connection to anything, the WDR3500 will work just fine.

I have a pair of the WDR3600's and love them.

 

[sonitravel09]

Most college's have their IT support desks open on move-in day, so take the router, find the number for support, and call and ask.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

I would step up to the WDR3600. Its very nice. Of course if you can't/won't have better than about a 90Mbps connection to anything, the WDR3500 will work just fine.

I have a pair of the WDR3600's and love them.

I can't justify spending double to get a little bit more.

I mean, the gigabyte port is nice but it isn't worth paying 15 dollars extra for.

Most college's have their IT support desks open on move-in day, so take the router, find the number for support, and call and ask.

Having a router on campus is totally okay.