Buying a new router
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- 3StarLounger
- Posts: 376
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- Location: Cumberland, MD, USA
Buying a new router
My Belkin 300 router, about 5 years old, needs to be replaced for a variety of reasons. Shopping, though, for a new router is like a kid picking out candy in a store that has hundreds of choices. Anyway, after slogging through NUMEROUS reviews and recommendations, I've pretty much decided on one of these two. What thinkest thou?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007KZQM9Q
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Dual-Band-Wi ... S+RT-AC66U
Or, for that matter, has anyone other recommendations?
Thanks, in advance.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007KZQM9Q
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Dual-Band-Wi ... S+RT-AC66U
Or, for that matter, has anyone other recommendations?
Thanks, in advance.
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- gamma jay
- Posts: 25455
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- Location: Cape Town
Re: Buying a new router
I'll throw a spanner in the words and give you a third choice...
The only router I have ever used is TP-Link, so I cannot comment on the two you posted.
Have a look at this one: TP-LINK TL-WDR4300 Wireless N750 Dual Band Router
And the cheaper version: TP-LINK TL-WR1043ND V2 Wireless N300 Gigabit Router
The only router I have ever used is TP-Link, so I cannot comment on the two you posted.
Have a look at this one: TP-LINK TL-WDR4300 Wireless N750 Dual Band Router
And the cheaper version: TP-LINK TL-WR1043ND V2 Wireless N300 Gigabit Router
Regards,
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
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- 3StarLounger
- Posts: 376
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 20:14
- Location: Cumberland, MD, USA
Re: Buying a new router
Good suggestion. I had looked at the first one listed, but I didn't know anything about TP-Link. It has fairly decent reviews. I'm looking for reliability and performance at a moderate price, and that seems to fit. I'll check it out further. Thanks.Rudi wrote:I'll throw a spanner in the words and give you a third choice...
The only router I have ever used is TP-Link, so I cannot comment on the two you posted.
Have a look at this one: TP-LINK TL-WDR4300 Wireless N750 Dual Band Router
And the cheaper version: TP-LINK TL-WR1043ND V2 Wireless N300 Gigabit Router
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- UraniumLounger
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Re: Buying a new router
Some ISP's now offer a device that is a combined cable modem and wifi router. I don't know what the charges might be for the upgraded hardware, but it's another option to consider. Contact your cable modem ISP and ask. No harm asking.
I like the looks of that Western Digital and I've had great experience with their HDDs (unlike other manufacturers' units).
FWIW
I like the looks of that Western Digital and I've had great experience with their HDDs (unlike other manufacturers' units).
FWIW
Bob's yer Uncle
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- SilverLounger
- Posts: 2072
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Re: Buying a new router
If you are considering having the router for another 5 years or so and you use wireless networking and you are considering a new PC you should consider an "AC" router. "AC" is the latest 802.x standard. I don't have any particular recommendations as I've not jumped into that end of the pool yet.
Joe
Joe
Joe
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- 3StarLounger
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Re: Buying a new router
I've checked out the combo but have found mixed, leaning toward negative reviews. I was intending to contact my ISP about a new modem--the one I have is about 12-15 years old. Considering the time I've been with them, I think they owe me a new modem at no charge. They'll probably think otherwise.BobH wrote:Some ISP's now offer a device that is a combined cable modem and wifi router. I don't know what the charges might be for the upgraded hardware, but it's another option to consider. Contact your cable modem ISP and ask. No harm asking.
I like the looks of that Western Digital and I've had great experience with their HDDs (unlike other manufacturers' units).
FWIW
I too like the WD drives. I understand WD is relatively new to the networking line, but reviews seem good.
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- 3StarLounger
- Posts: 376
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 20:14
- Location: Cumberland, MD, USA
Re: Buying a new router
Yes to everything except the new PC--my Lenovo laptop is only 2 years old and has been great. (Having said that, it will probably crash tonight!) I've looked into the AC router but don't network anything but the computer. I understand that the AC router allows you to wirelessly connect a lot of "stuff," so I don't really need it.JoeP wrote:If you are considering having the router for another 5 years or so and you use wireless networking and you are considering a new PC you should consider an "AC" router. "AC" is the latest 802.x standard. I don't have any particular recommendations as I've not jumped into that end of the pool yet.
Joe
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- Administrator
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- Location: London, Europe
Re: Buying a new router
The big advantage of an -AC router is intelligent use of the 5GHz frequency, which is much less crowded than the 2.4GHz you are probably using now. 2.4GHz is used by WiFi, Bluetooth, DECT phones, and some proprietary devices (remote doorbells for example) and it is emitted by microwave ovens. It gets very crowded.
StuartR
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- PlatinumLounger
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Re: Buying a new router
I don't know who your ISP is but I have my old "friend" Verizon providing DSL service. After a few discussions they finally DID provide a new combo DSL modem\router replacement at no charge. It seems to work well for me, It's a GT 784 WMV model. ( V stands for of all things, Verizon ) Short specs listed below.DenGar wrote:I've checked out the combo but have found mixed, leaning toward negative reviews. I was intending to contact my ISP about a new modem--the one I have is about 12-15 years old. Considering the time I've been with them, I think they owe me a new modem at no charge. They'll probably think otherwise.BobH wrote:Some ISP's now offer a device that is a combined cable modem and wifi router. I don't know what the charges might be for the upgraded hardware, but it's another option to consider. Contact your cable modem ISP and ask. No harm asking.
I like the looks of that Western Digital and I've had great experience with their HDDs (unlike other manufacturers' units).
FWIW
I too like the WD drives. I understand WD is relatively new to the networking line, but reviews seem good.
The full featured GT784WN Wireless N DSL modem router reduces the technology clutter. By integrating a DSL modem, wireless N networking, and full routing capability in one box, the GT784WN lets you solve all of your customer's connection and networking needs. The modem has been tested for maximum performance on all major DSL providers and supports ADSL2+ with speeds up to 24 Mbps downstream to support IPTV services.
BOB
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If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.
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If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.
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- Administrator
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Re: Buying a new router
"speeds up to 24 Mbps downstream" - that's not very fast these days...
Best wishes,
Hans
Hans
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- 3StarLounger
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Re: Buying a new router
[/quote]I don't know who your ISP is but I have my old "friend" Verizon providing DSL service. After a few discussions they finally DID provide a new combo DSL modem\router replacement at no charge. It seems to work well for me, It's a GT 784 WMV model. ( V stands for of all things, Verizon ) Short specs listed below.
The full featured GT784WN Wireless N DSL modem router reduces the technology clutter. By integrating a DSL modem, wireless N networking, and full routing capability in one box, the GT784WN lets you solve all of your customer's connection and networking needs. The modem has been tested for maximum performance on all major DSL providers and supports ADSL2+ with speeds up to 24 Mbps downstream to support IPTV services.[/quote]
Bob,
Interesting--Verizon is also my ISP. I decided to try the modem-router, so I called Verizon, explained the situation, and they're sending a free modem-router. It's an Actiontec (new to me) and has the same model number as yours. If I have problems, at least it was free. And I was pleasantly surprised when they credited me with 15 days of service. I've been with Verizon for decades, so it was the least they could do. (This is the Amazon link to the model: http://www.amazon.com/Actiontec-Verizon ... tech+modem.
Thanks for your advice.
The full featured GT784WN Wireless N DSL modem router reduces the technology clutter. By integrating a DSL modem, wireless N networking, and full routing capability in one box, the GT784WN lets you solve all of your customer's connection and networking needs. The modem has been tested for maximum performance on all major DSL providers and supports ADSL2+ with speeds up to 24 Mbps downstream to support IPTV services.[/quote]
Bob,
Interesting--Verizon is also my ISP. I decided to try the modem-router, so I called Verizon, explained the situation, and they're sending a free modem-router. It's an Actiontec (new to me) and has the same model number as yours. If I have problems, at least it was free. And I was pleasantly surprised when they credited me with 15 days of service. I've been with Verizon for decades, so it was the least they could do. (This is the Amazon link to the model: http://www.amazon.com/Actiontec-Verizon ... tech+modem.
Thanks for your advice.
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- Microsoft MVP
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Re: Buying a new router
It's not too bad for DSL.HansV wrote:"speeds up to 24 Mbps downstream" - that's not very fast these days...
Verizon's upper-level broadband offering, FiOS® fiber-optic cable, is available in a half dozen tiers from 25 Mbps to 500 Mbps; I now use 75 Mbps. The higher speeds are considerably more expensive. Also, the FiOS infrastructure isn't yet available in many parts of the USA.
According to Wikipedia, "100 Mbit/s services are the average standard in urban South Korean homes and the country is rapidly rolling out 1Gbit/s connections or 1,000 Mbit/s, at $20 per month." <jealous/>
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- gamma jay
- Posts: 25455
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Re: Buying a new router
Just out of interest, are you guys talking about download speeds that are typically measured by the below types of speed tests...as in the case with Ookla?
If this is so, in my case 24 Mbs speed would be heaven!!! Let alone Jay's 75 Mbs or 100 Mbs.
If 1 Gig per sec is on the cards...Ookla had better change their speedometer charts...
If this is so, in my case 24 Mbs speed would be heaven!!! Let alone Jay's 75 Mbs or 100 Mbs.
If 1 Gig per sec is on the cards...Ookla had better change their speedometer charts...
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Regards,
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
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- Administrator
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Re: Buying a new router
Yes, indeed. They changed the speedometer chart some years ago, when ADSL2 and cable internet became popular. I assume they will change it again when 1 GB becomes widely available.
The servers they use will have to be upgraded too - most of them currently aren't able to deliver such download speeds even if your connection supports it...
The servers they use will have to be upgraded too - most of them currently aren't able to deliver such download speeds even if your connection supports it...
Best wishes,
Hans
Hans
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- PlatinumLounger
- Posts: 5685
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Re: Buying a new router
I get along with DSL, since Verizon FIOS is not available here on the Cape. Verizon decided that FIOS was not economically feasible out here and fiber optic cable was only for Central Office trunk lines.Jay Freedman wrote:It's not too bad for DSL.HansV wrote:"speeds up to 24 Mbps downstream" - that's not very fast these days...
Verizon's upper-level broadband offering, FiOS® fiber-optic cable, is available in a half dozen tiers from 25 Mbps to 500 Mbps; I now use 75 Mbps. The higher speeds are considerably more expensive. Also, the FiOS infrastructure isn't yet available in many parts of the USA.
According to Wikipedia, "100 Mbit/s services are the average standard in urban South Korean homes and the country is rapidly rolling out 1Gbit/s connections or 1,000 Mbit/s, at $20 per month." <jealous/>
Other choices might be Satellite or Comcast cable. Satellite is a little "iffy" out here and since we have 100% of our utilities buried underground, I really don't care to get our property trenched to get cable service. So......we take what we can get.
BOB
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If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.
______________________________________
If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.
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- Microsoft MVP
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Re: Buying a new router
Indeed.Rudi wrote:Just out of interest, are you guys talking about download speeds that are typically measured by the below types of speed tests...as in the case with Ookla?
If this is so, in my case 24 Mbs speed would be heaven!!! Let alone Jay's 75 Mbs or 100 Mbs.
If 1 Gig per sec is on the cards...Ookla had better change their speedometer charts...
I get speeds like this only over fairly short distances (this one is 50 miles, ~80 km), and I'm usually limited by the speed of the server I'm connecting to. But it's great for downloading things like 3 GB ISO images from MSDN.
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- gamma jay
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Re: Buying a new router
Thats ridiculous.
Down here, bandwidth is more valuable than gold. I'd be paying through my teeth to get speeds even half of that pace. :jealous:
Down here, bandwidth is more valuable than gold. I'd be paying through my teeth to get speeds even half of that pace. :jealous:
Regards,
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.