Which router should I get? never had one before...

[RESmonkey]

I'm thinking about wireless n. But I just read someone praising 5ghz. Is that "n"?
And I don't mind spending up to $99, but if I can get something good for less than that would be fine. I want something that will last at least 5-8 years.

edit= Currently, I only have 1 cable modem (no network hubs/switches/other routers). Just a single cable modem designed for one machine.

 

[itguru]

If you are purchasing a router, you might as will purchase one with wireless N. With the further range and faster speeds, it is a purchase that make sense in my opinion. I personally would recommend a linksys. You can get the WRT150N for $69.99 on new egg. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...6833124085&Tpk=WRT150N

 

[RESmonkey]

The reviews look bad on that

 

[Pabster]

Grab the D-Link DIR-655 or Apple's Airport Extreme. The latter has 5GHz and of course USB printer/disk connectivity.

Those 2 are the best of the best in consumer routers right now (IMHO).

 

[JackMDS]

Inexpensive Flashable with DD-WRT*.

Asus WL-520GU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833320023

Very Solid with DD-WRT (Mediocre Wireless).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833124190

Not compatible with DD-WRT but as is features rich and Good Wireless.

Zyxel 550 -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...181218&Tpk=zyxel%2b550

*What is DD-WRT?

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/ind...hat_is_%22DD-WRT%22%3F

----------------
Addendum.

Why Not 802.11n?

Because there is No 802.11n standard, there is only Draft-N pre/maybe hardware.
Almost all the manufacturers claim on the front page of the Data Sheet that it would be compatible with the 802.11n standard when it comes out, and then put in small letters on the last page a Disclaimer that basically voids what was stated on the first page.
Quote from a top manufacturer Data Sheet (I Bold few words).

"This product is based on IEEE draft 802.11n specifications and is not guaranteed to be
forward compatible with future versions of IEEE 802.11n specifications. Compatibility
with draft 802.11n devices from other manufacturers is not guaranteed. All references
to speed and range are for comparison purposes only. Product specifications, size and
shape are subject to change without notice, and actual product appearance may differ
from that depicted herein".
End of Quote.

The standard is Not out because they are fighting over it. Therefore, it is implicit that at the end Draft-N of the losers will not be compatible or upgradable.
To benefit from Draft-N the Router and the Wireless card have to be Draft-N.

It is currently and expense of about $80 +$80 for the first computer and $80 for each additional one.
What presuming you get for this money?
Technologically 802.11n improve the transfer speed between Local computers (It does not improve Internet Speed).

Therefore, if someone really uses the Wireless for serious work it might be a consideration to get a Draft-N, but to save few seconds on casual transfer it does not worth the investment.

Second advantage of N might be coverage. However, the expectations are really exaggerated. In most cases if the environment is highly unfriendly to Wireless switching from g to N is Not going to yield dramatic improvement. The RF output of the N is the same as the g (about 33mW) the bandwidth gains are achieve by the additional MiMO arrangement with the Antennae.

Some Routers have a Giga byte switch. However, in most of them the switch is mediocre and bellow.
I find that if One uses a separate Giga switch for the Giga capable computers, and uses the Router's port for the 100Mb/sec. devices, the Giga part of the network works better.
In sum, buy a Draft-N if there is a real technological advantage for you specific Network, otherwise leave Trendy waste of money to others.