you can do a lot with a router... Don't like that person that's sharing your network? no problem. block their IP or MAC addy from accessing the net. Don't like your little sister/brother hogging up that bandwidth? No problem. Thottle their connection. These features and more are generally more commonly found on hardware solutions I believe. Also, a hardware routing solution is a lot faster than a software based one. The SMC has a plus that it has an onboard Print Server and Serial Connection (for those days when your broadband connection just won't work.). If speed is your thing, I believe the Netgear RT314 has the fastest LAN/WAN > WAN/LAN transfer speed at this time (No printer/serial connection) and is currently just as reliable as the Barricade. Both are great after considering your needs. I would not however, get a Linksys router. Those things are crap as they don't work well with some applications and have some connection issues... not to mention the poor tech support.
I guess the main reason these 100-150 dollar routers are popular is because you don't have to have a big ol dedicated machine up 24/7/365, it's more "stable" so to speak, and it ain't huge like a computer.
Practically Networked has a large database on info about sub $200 routers and reviews. Great place to get info.
FYI, the SMC router uses a realtek chipset. Good or bad, your decision.
SMC Barricade router naked
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