Wireless choices n/g/?

core-rider · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 531 City: Huntsville, AL

I've done alot of searching so far and have yet come to a decision. I thought I would get more answers in this forum...

I'm about to purchase an iMac (20", 2.66 processor, 4G RAM) and it is capable of the 802.11n wireless format. I'm wanting to use the wireless and need to get a wireless router because I would like to connect my work PC as well when working from home. There a so many different types of Wireless N routers out there... which one do I need?

Basically just a home office (1500 sq ft home) with cable modem. I won't be gaming, just your average internet surfing, downloading/uploading. I want to keep it in the $100 price range if that helps any.

Please don't make this a PC>iMac fight... I'm getting the Mac regardless so just keep it to the wireless router info please.

hco · Posted: Sep 03, 2008 12:50 pm Post subject:

I personally like linksys, and have about 5-6 linksys products in use at my house to create a pretty big wireless network. The linksys stuff I have been using is g.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

AirPorts work quite well. As a bonus, it will match. Colorful

Jensen · Posted: Sep 03, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject:

i just switched from g to n, and now im switching back. im getting 1/3 the download speed using N! that makes no sense to me.

core-rider · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 531 City: Huntsville, AL

I do like the AirPort Extream, but it was a bit more than I wanted to spend, and from what I can tell I can get more from a Linksys or similar than I would get from using the AirPort Express.

Jensen, what brand stuff were you using with both g and n? It looks like Linksys makes some of the better stuff from all my research.

JoeyJojo · Posted: Sep 03, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject:

many things can hurt you speeds like cordless phones, other wifi networks, bluetooth devices and even (sometimes) mix and matching different brands of equipment. to test for cordless phone interference, take the battery out of the handset, otherwise it will endlessly search for the base =)

Jensen · Posted: Sep 03, 2008 6:21 pm Post subject:

i don't have a cordless phone, im using all linksys wireless n devices, and the free STANDARD g dlink router that came with my cable service is out preforming it..... i tried changing frequences, it helped a little, but to have 30% of the performance is ridiculous.

hco · Posted: Sep 03, 2008 6:25 pm Post subject:

Get the wrt54gs from linksys, I think that is the one that I use and I highly reccomend it.

Jensen · Posted: Sep 05, 2008 12:49 pm Post subject:

Speed test done between my linksys wireless N router, and my dlink 54g router.

linksys - download speed - 144.1 kb/sec
upload speed - 430.5 kb/sec

WINNER! dlink - download speed - 1141.4 kb/sec thats right, 1 mb
upload speed - 408.1 kb/sec

the upload is a tiny bit slower but look at the down difference. Shocked

i guess the free router that came with my service is better than the 80 dollars i spent to get a N router. taking that shiz back.

Jensen · Posted: Sep 05, 2008 12:50 pm Post subject:

Speed test done between my linksys wireless N router, and my dlink 54g router.

linksys - download speed - 144.1 kb/sec
upload speed - 430.5 kb/sec

WINNER! dlink - download speed - 1141.4 kb/sec thats right, 1 mb
upload speed - 408.1 kb/sec

the upload is a tiny bit slower but look at the down difference. Shocked

i guess the free router that came with my service is better than the 80 dollars i spent to get a N router. taking that shiz back.

Jensen · Posted: Sep 05, 2008 12:54 pm Post subject:

and then i time out and double post. the irony Laughing

hco · Posted: Sep 05, 2008 2:13 pm Post subject:

Wireless n from linksys sucks, go g.

JRW160 · Soul Rider Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 367 City: Huntsville

I have a g network setup at my house. It uses a dlink di-624 as the router, and I've never had any problems out of it. I also have a linksys wrt54g and a buffalo whr-g125 running dd-wrt that are being used as bridges.

The linksys was awful with the stock firmware, but after installing dd-wrt, it's a great device. I think I picked up the buffalo for $30 at circuit city. If I knew at the time, I would have saved the money I spent on the d-link and linksys and just bought the buffalo router and installed dd-wrt.