wireless routers?

[Greco101]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833162134

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190

Which one should I get? I'm definitely leaning towards the BUFFALO...

Also, would this allow me to be directly connected to my desktop still? I've never seen how a router is set up so can anyone give me some tips/experience they've had?

[Spawn-Inc]

i would go linksys there the best (from what i gather).
Also, would this allow me to be directly connected to my desktop still?

not sure what you mean by that? i assume you mean how it connect to your pc so you can get either a pci card (better) or usb adaptor. here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124115) is the linksys pci adaptor and here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833162111) is the bufflo one.

[Zephik]

I've owned that linksys router before. Its a good router, if not semi-cheaply made/put together. It doesn't have that good solid feeling is what I mean. But other than that, its a fairly good router.

As far as specs go, I like the Buffalo more than the Linksys. As far as support goes, Linksys is like what newegg is to us with support. They're pretty good in that area. But, I've never had a reason to use their support to be honest, other than to download drivers of course. I have an unfortunate habit of losing cd's quite easily.

Really, I think you will be fine with either router. The Buffalo has the better specs, since it also seems to be a fairly popular product, that particular model alone should have decent support. I doubt Buffalo would ignore good support for one of their good products. Then again, if it has good reviews, then you can probably safely assume that support is there.

Hmmm. No wonder you are asking which is the better. Well, I like the Buffalo, if only for the better specs. Do you have an adapter card that can match the buffalo specs? If you don't have 125Mbps transfer speeds with your adapter, then you won't be able to get the full 125Mbps. Unless you have a card that is higher than 125Mbps. Well, you get my point I'm sure.

The Buffalo product is slightly cheaper too, looks better built in my opinion as well.

Yep, you really can't go wrong with either product. lol

[simon275]

At home we have gone through Linksys, Netgear, Dlink. We now use a NetComm NB9W and it is the best wireless router we have used it also has a ADSL 2+ modem in it and also to phone jacks so we can use two normal phones. It is the best device we have ever used. It also can be used as a wireless bridge so it can connect to other wifi routers and rebroadcast it.

[Greco101]

i would go linksys there the best (from what i gather).

not sure what you mean by that? i assume you mean how it connect to your pc so you can get either a pci card (better) or usb adaptor. here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124115) is the linksys pci adaptor and here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833162111) is the bufflo one.

I meant can I still run my desktop through the NIC and from the pictures, I'm assuming I can connect up to 4. Would the router slow down my internet speeds at all?

Basically... my setup will be keeping my desktop directly connected and the laptop wireless just for in my room (so my gf can do her stuff while laying down on the bed or w/e)

The speeds confuse the hell out of me... 100mb/s speed? huh? How does this work when I download at 2.3mb/s give or take. I don't understand what these specs mean lol.

I was also looking at this router (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833162018) It has up to 300mb/s (whatever that means...can someone explain this to me?)

[Spawn-Inc]

those speeds refer to how fast they send information to each other, when you want to transfer files from one pc to another thats what speed it will travel, i think.

[Bopher]

I currently own that router and have not had any issues with it. On the wireless side of things I have 2 desktops, 1 laptop, my Palm pilot and my Wii. On the wired side I just have my PS2 wired to it. I haven't noticed any speed drops with it being that the desktops and the laptop are always online most of the time at the same time.

[Luke122]

The router will slow down your internet but it will hardly be noticeable.. around 1-5%.

You'll be able to connect up to 254 computers behind the router (using more switches and wireless of course), so there's no problem with running your desktop and laptop at once.

Not only do you get the benefit of sharing internet to all your computers, but you also get the added security of the NAT on the router, which is essentially a hardware firewall.

I've owned that linksys router before, and it was really solid. Linksys is owned by Cisco too, so there's some heavy R&D behind their products. :)

My opinion is the Linksys, and I've honestly seen that exact model for muuuuch less. If price is a big issue, how about this? (http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=506421&CatId=373)

[Greco101]

There will most likely be tons of transferring files from desktop to laptop so should I got with the model with the highest transfer?

lastly, do routers replace the modem? Doesn't seem like they would. Damn I'm going to re-organize... I have 2 shelf speakers where my modem and externals go so I guess I'll just HAVE the buy those z5300's :o)

....or 5500's if they have a more friendly tag on the 3rd.

[Luke122]

If you are doing loads of transfer between the desktop and the laptop, then the faster router is a good idea. HOWEVER.. you must make sure that your wireless on the laptop will support it, or you are stuck at 54mbps, regardless of the router.

Router does not replace the modem, it "routes" traffic from the modem to different computers.

[Crazy Buddhist]

There will most likely be tons of transferring files from desktop to laptop so should I got with the model with the highest transfer?

I wouldn't let that dictate your choice. Both routers have four ethernet wired ports for connecting up to 4 computers simultaneously. Keep an extra cable plugged in and wire the laptop when you are doing lots of big file transfers it will always be quicker. If its files often but not in bulk you wont notice a significant difference.

Linksys are known to make solidly functioning equipment (if plasticy in casing as noted above) that works out of the box.

The Buffalo one sounds great if you upgrade it to the non-oem firmware mentioned in the Newegg reviews. I'm unsure if Buffalo then give tech support once you have done so but as they allow you to do that then maybe they do.

They are probably on a par for your purposes because its unlikely your lappy will make the most of the Buffalo.

Neither of those replaces the modem. You just plug the modem ethernet into the WAN (wide area network) ethernet port of the Wireless Router.

You can buy all in one modem/wireless routers but whether or not your internet service provider will function with them or support them is something you would need to check - if they gave you the modem.

[Outlaw]

I have a WRT54G, didn't read hat the L was for, but I have not had any issues with mine. Plus if you need a small switch to add more pc's, they have cool stackables for those.Like this (http://www.penmachine.com/techie/images_pb1400/linksys_stack.jpg) It was the best I could find quickly.

[SgtM]

I've used and installed netgear, linksys, zoom, 2wire, and dlink routers. My preference is Linksys (maybe I'm just biased to Cisco products though). You'll be able to use your desktop (wireless or wired) with either router. They both have switches buit-in. Setup is a breeze. I'll help you out with it if you want (no matter which one you buy).