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I thought it might be good to start a thread for those interested in setting-up a wireless network to see what other people are using and what they think of their products. The only reason is because I just spent the last 2 months trying 3 different wireless routers with varying results.
Computers Used:
Mac mini with Airport Extreme
HP Laptop with built-in Wireless Network Card
D-Link DSL-904
I started with D-Link's DSL-904 ADSL wireless router. Set-up was simple and I was able to connect rather quickly. The only downside was that there was no documentation on wireless security settings for the router and it took a bit of time to get everything sorted. After about 3 weeks of almost no interuptions I began to experience frequent connection drops, sometimes only 1 minute apart. I waited it out for about a week, and afterwards it went back to the store for an exchange of another product.
Final Verdict: 2.5/5 Cheap casing. Ok connection stability. Low-cost. Suitable for user on a budget or someone who is a light Internet user.
Belkin F5D7632
Next was the Belkin F5D7632 ADSL wireless router. As with the D-Link, this one was simple to set-up and connect, but I had problems almost immediately. For some reason my PC would not connect to the router wirelessly if I had any security-enabled measures. While it could have been a faulty router I seriously doubt it because the mini connected fine. The connection, however, was very inconsistent like the D-Link. I returned it after 2 weeks of trying to troubleshoot the problem and went for yet another product.
Final Verdict: 1/5 Good looking design but no ability to stand router on its side. Terrible security. Poor connection stability. Low-Cost. Just rubbish, not suitable for any users except those that plan on using it with ethernet cables.
Netgear DG834G v2
The final one was the Netgear DG834G v2. I first have to say that the design of it is very simplistic but very good looking, matching with Macs better than any other routers out there. So, again, I found the set-up to be a breeze, but this could be due to using 2 other roters, and very simple. Out of all 3 this was the only one that offered to automatically check to see what type of Internet connection you have (great for beginners who don't know what things like PPoA are). I was able to get both computers connected rather easily and didn't run into any snags or problems. Another nice thing to see was that there was no need to remotely reboot the router after every setting change, which was required with the D-Link. The connection so far has been very stable and I've had no drops or interuptions yet.
Final Verdict: 4/5 Great looking and sturdy case. Very good connection stability. A bit overpriced. Perfect for intermediate users who aren't quite ready to fork over the extra $$$'s on the new MIMO routers.
Computers Used:
Mac mini with Airport Extreme
HP Laptop with built-in Wireless Network Card
D-Link DSL-904
I started with D-Link's DSL-904 ADSL wireless router. Set-up was simple and I was able to connect rather quickly. The only downside was that there was no documentation on wireless security settings for the router and it took a bit of time to get everything sorted. After about 3 weeks of almost no interuptions I began to experience frequent connection drops, sometimes only 1 minute apart. I waited it out for about a week, and afterwards it went back to the store for an exchange of another product.
Final Verdict: 2.5/5 Cheap casing. Ok connection stability. Low-cost. Suitable for user on a budget or someone who is a light Internet user.
Belkin F5D7632
Next was the Belkin F5D7632 ADSL wireless router. As with the D-Link, this one was simple to set-up and connect, but I had problems almost immediately. For some reason my PC would not connect to the router wirelessly if I had any security-enabled measures. While it could have been a faulty router I seriously doubt it because the mini connected fine. The connection, however, was very inconsistent like the D-Link. I returned it after 2 weeks of trying to troubleshoot the problem and went for yet another product.
Final Verdict: 1/5 Good looking design but no ability to stand router on its side. Terrible security. Poor connection stability. Low-Cost. Just rubbish, not suitable for any users except those that plan on using it with ethernet cables.
Netgear DG834G v2
The final one was the Netgear DG834G v2. I first have to say that the design of it is very simplistic but very good looking, matching with Macs better than any other routers out there. So, again, I found the set-up to be a breeze, but this could be due to using 2 other roters, and very simple. Out of all 3 this was the only one that offered to automatically check to see what type of Internet connection you have (great for beginners who don't know what things like PPoA are). I was able to get both computers connected rather easily and didn't run into any snags or problems. Another nice thing to see was that there was no need to remotely reboot the router after every setting change, which was required with the D-Link. The connection so far has been very stable and I've had no drops or interuptions yet.
Final Verdict: 4/5 Great looking and sturdy case. Very good connection stability. A bit overpriced. Perfect for intermediate users who aren't quite ready to fork over the extra $$$'s on the new MIMO routers.
