Router recommendation needed

stay away from the "combo boxes" as the firmware is crap, not to mention you can't upgrade it. Go with a linux based router and install the tomato firmware.

I wouldn't suggest this for someone that just wants something that works. The linux firmwares in general won't benefit someone unless they want to do fancy stuff with the router, like VLANs or make it do more than just be a router.

Any of the below should work:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...E&PageSize=100

Try to get one that is gigabit LAN if you can, avoid brands like TP-Link, Rosewill. I have always had very good luck with Linksys, Dlink, Buffalo and Netgear. 802.11n is what you are looking for, this is the fastest current wireless standard but make sure it is 802.11g compatible since not all laptops do 802.11n yet but 802.11g is years old.

So to summarize, get something that is at least 802.11n with dual-band and gigabit LAN being a bonus.

my WAG120n linksys drops my adsl2 connection sometimes a dozen times in a single day (billion was fine, netgear was fine)

Theres literally hundreds of posts about random disconnection issues with various linksys routers on the Cisco linksys forums (and yes swapping to a different branded router eliminates the issue for all peeps Ive seen that have had another branded router to test this - I would say its the most complained about issue with linksys actually)


If your considering a Linksys I suggest researching the widespread disconnection issues plastered all over their user forums for certain models before spending a cent on anything with a linksys badge - Cisco dont make them they are a subsidery company so if your leaning to a linksys cause it also says "Cisco" on the front, dont bother

What sort of range will you be needing for your daughters? If it's going to be something like other side of the house or passing through walls you may want to get one w/ a know strong radio. Since you're not going to be using much wifi this probably won't matter, but it's also nice to go w/ a dual band/radio router so you can run you wiresless N & A at 5ghz and G & B at 2.4ghz if you're in a situation that you're not running N on everything. You also might as well get one w/ gigabit LAN. I currently use a Netgear WNDR-3700 because it fits all of the above and I can load custom firmwares but it's a pretty pricey unit(for the most part prices match how good the routers are) and may be more than you need.

You may not need it, but it can be nice if you're using both G & N so you can run your N at 5ghz, it helps w/ other 2.4ghz traffic (neighbors, phones, microwave, etc). So it might not be any help for you at all. 5ghz tends to get less range than 2.4ghz but has less problems w/ interference, at 70' range might be more of a factor than interference so dual band simultaneous(models w/ dual radios) could be a waste of money as the single radio(could be dual band-but not simultaneous) model would work just as well. At this point Netflix streaming doesn't require much bandwidth so you really don't even need gigabit LAN for that, but it may need later or something else you end up doing over your network and it doesn't cost much more. We also don't know if your daughters' laptops are even wireless N so you might need that either but you can get a router w/ gigbit LAN and a strong wireless N radio for around $80.00. You could also try your providers router that if it's free and if it works good enough it cost you nothing, if doesn't then add a better router, that's why I got my WNDR-3700, my FIOS router didn't have gigabit LAN or wireless N (the wireless G also didn't work very well) but I use my network for a lot more than just streaming Netflix, it was actually fine for that and the wireless did work just not that great.

Geez guys, you're suggesting $150 routers for a guy that just wants to run Netflix to a couple of rooms and spend as little as possible.

My advice, get one of these, or a similar one from name brands (netgear, linksys, Delkin, etc.) from a local store. Set it up and see if you get a steady wireless signal at all spots. If not, take it back and then start looking at some of the "range extending options."

FWIW, this router (and other low spec ones like it) have the throughput to handle many more Netflix streams than your internet connection can handle.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/NETGEAR+...r614&cp=1&lp=1

-Suntan

Ive tried them all. The Apple Airport Extreme is worth the money. Dont waste your time or money with anything else. Just my opinion..........as im sure others will disagree.

I'm not sure if the radio on the WGR614 is the same as or gives better range than my WGT624, but the WGT624 is supposed to be a better router (better firewall and turbo mode) and it's worthless at over 30' on the wireless, in fact my FIOS router had much better wireless range. I'd only recommend something like it for same room wireless, it would be just fine for the wired Netflix streaming or even wireless if your range is close enough.

I still say give your provider's router a try first if it's free. If not I'd go w/ a wireless N gigbit LAN router since it would give you room to grow, since we've been talking netgear WNR3500L is supposed to have a pretty strong radio at $80.00 isn't that bad. A wireless G T10/100 router will also do what you're looking for and would cost less (like the one Suntan posted) just make sure you go w/ one that has good ratings on range or at least buy it from a place w/ good return policies (preferably locally so you won't have to pay return shipping) just in case it doesn't perform well enough for you.

Wow! All of them? There's at least 130 wireless routers just at Newegg, but you've tried them all!

Seriously, it's no wonder that people get tired of listening to the grandiose claims that apple-folk put out.

-Suntan

I am guessing but probably none of those are gigabit connections for the wired aspect of those routers so what you probably want is the fastest wired connection so either just get one of those to go wireless and then add a cheap switch which is probably double your cost or specifically buy a router that has gigabit as well.

If you are looking to save a buck and they charge you for renting the modem then buy one. I got a motorola docsis 3 modem for like $99. That should be future proof for some time and probably still save you money.

Also I dont know why the first poster seems to think putting an alternate firmware on a router is so challenging or difficult. I know many people install 3rd party because the interface (GUI) is actually easier to use than the default firmware that comes with many routers. I know my linksys routers have an awful default interface whereas tomato and WW-DRT or whatever its called are pretty easy to use.

Just so happens that I replaced our router today. The 5+ year old Netgear that we had gave up the ghost last night. The Mrs. insisted that I get the internet back on line in the house today (no time for Newegg to ship something) so I took a trip to the store, Target had a Belkin N150 for $29.

Set it up a bit ago, I get a strong signal throughout the house (router is in the basement of a 2 story house) and the draft n speed on the laptop shows a real world transfer rate of about 70 Mbps up one level and across the house while 11g devices are also on the WAN. For reference, the highest quality Netflix HD streams max at 3.8 Mbps.

It's your money, but I recommend getting the cheapest router you can find at a local store (with an acceptable return policy) and start from there. Nothing in the usage pattern that you have described would suggest that you need anything more.

-Suntan

I thought he was saying he was going wired though? "I'm looking for a router to stream Netflix HD with a WIRED connection"

Sorry so tired. Worked like 2 weeks straight and was on straight overtime yesterday mornign then worked 14 hours yesterday and like 8 today.

Router: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-023-_-Product (can usually grab it on sale for $30 or less)
Firmware: http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato (https://sourceforge.net/projects/tom...D.zip/download)

The asus hardware is very good, flash it with tomato firmware and you'll be set, I've bought 6 of these total, 2 of which for my house and have been working without an issue.

If you need gigabit wired, buy this switch: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2&Tpk=DGS-2208

Take Care

If you are going wired and want the absolute best connection then either use a gigabit router or just add a switch to the existing one. If you need to worry about how far the wireless can go then thats a separate issue.

I still didnt catch if you were paying to rent your modem so I am assuming you are not and either way its probably best to just keep these separate as well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124386

Thats wireless N and has 4 gigabit ports. Might not be able to do a 3rd party firmware. If you want to shop 3rd party firmware routers last time I checked its limited as to what still works.

Or super cheap and dont know if this works but:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124386

or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156242

which is probably nicer

and then either of those with a switch like:

and like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156250

Doesnt make sense how you can have 2 components probably with more features than a single one but they limit the gigabit ports on most routers to force you to upgrade or to buy a switch. Those should work good though any of the stuff above.

By the way, the DLINK 655 you posted about earlier for $79 is a 4-port gigabit router with wireless N also. I just picked one up today while out looking for a new bluray drive for my computer. I saw the price ($69) and saw the specs (gigabit router with wireless N) and I just added it to my shopping cart because I couldn't pass up that deal. Especially since I was upgrading from an almost 8 year old Microsoft wireless router . . .

Turns out I got a bigger deal than I should of because the actual price was supposed to be $89, but the sticker on the shelf said $69. I got my price, but the wrong sticker came off the shelf after I bought it.

Anyway, I would have bought it for $79 too. I have only had it up and running for less than a day now, but I recommend it so far. Plus it really is a good price for what you get. Just my two cents.

I think the best bang for the buck is the dlink 655. It has giga ports, USB port for storage or print server and good range. The linksys e1000 had poor range in my house.

I had a DIR-655 before my WNDR3700 and it worked quite well w/ the stock firmware, range on the the wifi was quite good. It however wouldn't connect to my wireless B remote unless I had a custom firmware loaded (all the newer Dlink and Netgear gave me the same problem) but w/ the custom firmware (DD-WRT) the wifi performance dropped and my wired WAN d/l speeds dropped to something like .8 mbps from >40mbps. Since you don't plan on doing anything like I did it should work great for you and I don't see any reason why it shouldn't work for your daughters MAC books (although I don't see why I had issues w/ my wifi remote, but I think it had to do w/ the older windows CE 4.X OS on the device).