Which router do you recommend?

[jagr10]

I wam looking to spend no more than $200 cdn or $130 US for a router. I heard the linksys ones are good and that netgear is bad. is that true? I'm looking for one with easy setup and nice features and performance.

 

[Silver222]

There is no silver bullet here, just like processors, people will have had good and bad experiences with either. I personally use a Linksys BEFSR41 and I've had no problems at all with it. The setup was pretty idiot proof for me too. Get a few other opinions though

 

[Apex]

Actually, the linksys is the one the most people are having problems with (dropped connection, etc). The SMC works very well (SMC7004BR) and has a 4 port switch plus print server function too. It's right about $100 or so, but you can get it for as low as $70 at times.

 

[johneetrash]

my rt314 works great

 

[esung]

My personal choice will be either SMC or Netgear/Zyxel. SMC has slightly more feature, but Netgear/Zyxel is just as good... (and Netgear has a metal casing )

 

[Paulson]

My linksys (the 1 port model, can't think of the model #) has worked ok for me.

The only problem is when I try to access my website from my personal computer to the server, it locks up the router.

 

[Kinki]

nah.. it doesn't happen anymore. Linksys comes up with updated firmware now and then.



<< Actually, the linksys is the one the most people are having problems with (dropped connection, etc). The SMC works very well (SMC7004BR) and has a 4 port switch plus print server function too. It's right about $100 or so, but you can get it for as low as $70 at times. >>

 

[Jgtdragon]

My linksys router is comming. Lets see how good it really is.

 

[RanDum72]

From my own personal experience, the routers with the best out-of-box experiences and long term stability are the Netgear RT314 and the D-Link DI-704. Both have metal casings and have long warranties (lifetime for D-link. 5 years for Netgear). Netgear already has the replacement for the RT314 out there for a while. The RP114 is essentially an RT314 with a much smaller case and the addition of content filtering and logging.

 

[bevancoleman]

Personally I avoid anything NetGear, we used to use NetGear 10/100 hubs where I work and had a lot of trouble with them.

1/2 of them died.
the rest have problems talking to our Intel Switches or network cards.

I think of about 8 only 1 is still working.

This could have simply been a lot of bad luck, the importer could have droped them off the side of the ship but I have never recomended NetGear since.

 

[jagr10]

Thanks for the replies so far. The D-Link does seem good. Here's what cnet.com had to say about it:

Rating: 8/10

The good: Lifetime warranty; user-friendly, Web-based configuration; supports external analog or ISDN modem connections.

The bad: No uplink port.

The bottom line: Generous touches, such as bundled cables and a lifetime warranty, put the D-Link at the head of the cable/DSL router pack.

 

[jagr10]

btw, what's an &quot;uplink port&quot;?

 

[JackMDS]

Read this:

What is an Uplink?


As for Router:

Most Cable/DSL Home Routers do their Job.

However, there are differences in the features.

Find the one that has the features that fit your way of using the Internet.

 

[Silver222]

For God's sake, don't use cnet as your only resource...please!!! It's good for looking up model numbers, and that's about it.

 

[RanDum72]

It depends what model D-Link. The DI-704 I mentioned has a a built-in 4-port 10/100 switch along with the 10mb port for connection to a cable/DSL modem. Any of the 4 ports can be uplink/downlink. Just use appropriate CAT-5 cable (cross-over or straight). I don't have expereinces with Netgear hubs but their routers and switches are tops in speed and reliability. If you have more dough, you can always go Cisco/3com.

 

[jagr10]

The cisco ones are way out of my price range. I've heard too many bad things about netgear so it's either linksys or d-link for me. I'll have to look up different review sites.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

rt314 here and never had a problem.
Here is the answer to all your needs. Read this webpage. http://www.practicallynetworked.com/

 

[jagr10]

thanks for the link!

ok i went through a bunch of user opinions on different routers and the most positive feedback came for the following 3 routers:

Netgear RO318
Netgear RP114
SMC 7008BR

Now which of those 3 have you experienced or would recommend? Who has better tech support?

 

[Helznicht]

I am using the Dlink Di-704, has performed really great. Simple interface with lots of options. Great for the price!

 

[bigbigsavings]

I purchased a LinkSys wireless router with 4 port switch just a fwe weeks ago. After returning to the store 3 times to get replacements because the originals didn't work, one finally worked. The only beef I have now is that even though there is only 1 device connected to the router right now, my connection is significantly slower than going directly to the PC and skipping the router. Is this a regular occurrence, or is something messed up with this router?

Alex

 

[RxL77]

I use a RT314... works GREAT. Minimal configuration... Actually I just plugged in my cable modem, two desktops and a laptop, and internet connection was up and running. I also run Win2k on two of my computers so that could be a reason why it was so simple. One of the desktops actually has win98, but it also worked right away. Hope this helped. Oh, and I got mine for 50 bucks when CompUSA AND Netgear were offering 50 and 30 dollar rebates on it.

 

[jagr10]

I think i may buy a netgear router then.

I don't like to buy wireless networking components. The last thing i need is another device with radiation. Also, there could be lots that can interfere with the connections. I prefer wires.

 

[Rifter]

everyone is going to tell you something differnt, i can tell you my Archtek/Smart Link router has sustained a connection for 3 months strait no problems whatsoever.

 

[jagr10]

that's the prob with asking for user opinions (he he). There are sooo many different products that someone is going to own one of them and say &quot;that's the best&quot;. And people like me asking for opinions expect the majority of people to say the same thing. Maybe i should start a new thread asking which router is the best out of these 3 and list the three.

 

[Rocksnow]

I have a 3 month old 3Com router(3C510), let me know if you're interested. I sell it for $180 CDN(no tax), and I live in Toronto.
Just send me a PM.

thx