Wireless router advice needed

ewgf · April 2011

My PC is currently connected to my broadband USB modem, and I want to set up another desktop downstairs, using a wireless router, and since I'm doing that I might as well connect my 360 up wirelessly too (so far it's not connected up at all). So I'm looking at wirelessly connecting up the downstairs PC and the 360, and the upstairs PC can be either wireless or wired, whichever's easiest (so probably wired).

So what router is best? What am I looking for, what should I avoid, etc?

rich_chandler · April 2011

ewgf wrote: »

My PC is currently connected to my broadband USB modem, and I want to set up another desktop downstairs, using a wireless router, and since I'm doing that I might as well connect my 360 up wirelessly too (so far it's not connected up at all). So I'm looking at wirelessly connecting up the downstairs PC and the 360, and the upstairs PC can be either wireless or wired, whichever's easiest (so probably wired).

So what router is best? What am I looking for, what should I avoid, etc?

Personally I use Cisco (Linksys), very easy to set up, never drop it's connection and always excellent speeds.

Vampyre · April 2011

My Linksys has been going for the past three years - constantly. I've used Belkin in the past and they've been great too, it only conked out because the power supply went.

I'm sure someone will say different but get a cheap one of those two and you will get value for money. This looks a good deal for less than ?25. N+ and has capacity to attach USB HD's.

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/13804254/Belkin-N%20-Wireless-Hi-performance-300-Mbps-Starter-Kit-N%20-USB-Adapter/Product.html?&P36=TTTNH5&affid=hotukdeals&awc=buyat&_$ja=tsid:11516|prd:hotukdeals

ccowley · April 2011

ewgf wrote: »

So what router is best? What am I looking for, what should I avoid, etc?

Avoid Belkin products like the plague. The firmware is sh*t. When you discover this and try to get hold of firmware that might actually work (or report bugs in the firmware if you already have the latest) you will discover that the support is also sh*t. Have used zyxel, linksys and netgear routers - all of which work well.

EDIT: On reflection, this post seems far more aggressive than it probably should be. However, I just wanted to get across how much I really, really dislike Belkin's products and customer service. I could go into mindless detail about the specific reasons why, but it's not very interesting. :)

SKR · April 2011

Just a word of advice...

As with anything, you get what you pay for, The cheapest is usually not the best, so if (say) PCworld have an "offer" on, check it out first because I have had 2 "special offer" routers which have packed up long before they should have.

I went on to get a netgear, which has outlived them by over 5 years and is still working.

Having said that, it'll probably break tomorrow now :(

rich_chandler · April 2011

SKR wrote: »

Just a word of advice...

As with anything, you get what you pay for, The cheapest is usually not the best, so if (say) PCworld have an "offer" on, check it out first because I have had 2 "special offer" routers which have packed up long before they should have.

I went on to get a netgear, which has outlived them by over 5 years and is still working.

Good advice, you get what you pay for...

1980-20.. · April 2011

SKR wrote: »

Having said that, it'll probably break tomorrow now :(

Never praise technology because it will prove you wrong, never berate technology because it will prove you right.

Wear sunscreen.

SKR · April 2011

ccowley wrote: »

Avoid Belkin products like the plague. The firmware is sh*t. When you discover this and try to get hold of firmware that might actually work (or report bugs in the firmware if you already have the latest) you will discover that the support is also sh*t. Have used zyxel, linksys and netgear routers - all of which work well.

EDIT: On reflection, this post seems far more aggressive than it probably should be. However, I just wanted to get across how much I really, really dislike Belkin's products and customer service. I could go into mindless detail about the specific reasons why, but it's not very interesting. :)

I missed this post earlier, and the two (failed routers) wer indeed Belkin, I agree thet in my experience, they are (to be honest) PISS POOR, however on other forums I have been berated for knocking Belkin because other users have had better experiences than I have.

Maybe I was just unlucky, I dunno.........

The Starglider · April 2011

I had a Belkin before, and although it never packed up, it was a little unforgiving with its interface, and also found out that it deliberately blocked some ports for its own use, which buggered me up for a couple of my online games.

I switched to a Netgear and have been using the same one now for about 6 years with no troubles at all.

zx1 · April 2011

I used to use a Belkin wireless router but it was useless, the connection kept cutting out and in the end i had to use a cable. As my brother's PC was also connected it kept detecting me as a threat and blocked me. I've been using a Netgear router for the past 4 years and had no problems ftom it.

rich_chandler · April 2011

So the advice appears to be get a Linksys or Netgear router and avoid Belkin like the plague...

rich_chandler · April 2011

Further to my 1st post, I bought my Cisco/Linksys router last year (I had an unfortunate accident with the 1st one).
I plugged it in, linked everything up to it (3 laptops, desktop, PS3, phones, TV, blu-ray player), updated firmware and haven't touched it since.

To me that's what a router should be all about, set it up and forget about it, and as a bonus it's got pretty flashy blue LED lights which look great sat in the middle of my media centre unit, blue lights are important, red or green just don't look as good...

Wireless router advice needed

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