Thoughts on new wireless-n router

[#Michael]

Thinking of getting rid of my airport extreme basestation.

Here are a couple that I am looking at:

http://www.amazon.com/RT-N66U-Dual-Band-Wireless-N900-Gigabit-Router/dp/B006QB1RPY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2FIYW2G6V7FD2&colid=3R6T0GASOC543

http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-EA4500-App-Enabled-Dual-Band-Wireless-N/dp/B007IL7AKM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2VDHSM4VJXYTL&colid=3R6T0GASOC543

http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-Wireless-Gigabit-Router-WNDR4500/dp/B005KG44V0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2YOBK8E92G5QO&colid=3R6T0GASOC543

Any thoughts or opinions?

[AltecXP]

Good topic I'm thinking of adding an N router to take over Wifi from my Verzion G router.

[Detection]

Or you could upgrade further than N

Netgear today announced its first 802.11ac-compatible Wi-Fi router, capable of delivering gigabit speeds up to three times faster than current 802.11n routers. Topping out at 1300 Mbps in 5 Ghz mode and 450 Mbps in 2.4 GHz, Netgear's R6300 router will launch next month at a price of $199.99.

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/04/26/first-gigabit-wi-fi-routers-ready-to-launch/

[Flae_qui]

i say wait 2-3 months if you can NEW stuff is on the way netgear's R6300 is coming out soon no wireless N is now the new G....

[lars77]

Those are all good routers honestly.

Personally I'd favor the Asus b/c you can throw Tomato firmware onto it.. I'm just not a fan of the default firmware for any of these routers. Besides the Asus, the Netgear would be a good pick & supposedly will be able to support Tomato firmware in the future.

The Linksys won't support 3rd party firmware so I'd rule it out IMO, but otherwise should have good performance if you don't care about the firmware stuff. (For what it's worth I have the previous model of that one, the E4200 v1, & it does perform well).

[#Michael]

Or you could upgrade further than N

Netgear today announced its first 802.11ac-compatible Wi-Fi router, capable of delivering gigabit speeds up to three times faster than current 802.11n routers. Topping out at 1300 Mbps in 5 Ghz mode and 450 Mbps in 2.4 GHz, Netgear's R6300 router will launch next month at a price of $199.99.

http://www.macrumors...eady-to-launch/

i say wait 2-3 months if you can NEW stuff is on the way netgear's R6300 is coming out soon no wireless N is now the new G....

Those are all good routers honestly.

Personally I'd favor the Asus b/c you can throw Tomato firmware onto it.. I'm just not a fan of the default firmware for any of these routers. Besides the Asus, the Netgear would be a good pick & supposedly will be able to support Tomato firmware in the future.

The Linksys won't support 3rd party firmware so I'd rule it out IMO, but otherwise should have good performance if you don't care about the firmware stuff. (For what it's worth I have the previous model of that one, the E4200 v1, & it does perform well).

I saw that Netgear has the new router coming out but like a lot of people here...not sure about getting the first generation of new products. I do like the asus one a lot...looks like dd-wrt would work like a charm on it

[Hell-In-A-Handbasket]

I got an AE4500 and replaced my airport week or 2 ago, it's awesome.

[Roger H. Veteran]

I fogt the E4200 v1 also and that thing works like a dream :) I'd say al of them are pretty good at being wireless and routers. I've recommended all of those before. It all depends on whatever extra features you might value - apps or printer suppor or 3rd party firmware.

[remixedcat]

Or you could upgrade further than N

Netgear today announced its first 802.11ac-compatible Wi-Fi router, capable of delivering gigabit speeds up to three times faster than current 802.11n routers. Topping out at 1300 Mbps in 5 Ghz mode and 450 Mbps in 2.4 GHz, Netgear's R6300 router will launch next month at a price of $199.99.

http://www.macrumors...eady-to-launch/

OMG I want that router! That one might very well be my next one... The specs are awesome!

I have a NETGEAR WGR614 that's been awesome for 6 years! NETGEAR makes great stuff.

Thing is that ASUS only has 32MB Flash memory vs 128MB for the new NETGEAR one. DDWRT might not run very well.

If features and the ability to use DDWRT:

NETGEAR

If range is your #1:

have you also looked into the AMPED WIRELESS!!! R10000G??? it's got hardcore range!!!

However it does not support DDWRT and it doesn't have usb sharing, however I reached out to AMPED WIRELESS and they said they are going to release a new router with usb sharing!

[rajputwarrior]

get the asus. i have the last year's model of it. it's unreal fast. stream 1080p to anything wireless without a hitch.

[neo1911]

There were also rumors of Apple releasing Airport Wireless with wifi ac compliance. That would be future proof. You can also try Asus RT-N56U which is as stable as they come.

[rajputwarrior]

There were also rumors of Apple releasing Airport Wireless with wifi ac compliance. That would be future proof. You can also try Asus RT-N56U which is as stable as they come.

that's the one i have, great router (Y). and i recommend not jumping on the bandwagon of a new wifi spec early... i got burned by that with N.

[#Michael]

OMG I want that router! That one might very well be my next one... The specs are awesome!

I have a NETGEAR WGR614 that's been awesome for 6 years! NETGEAR makes great stuff.

Thing is that ASUS only has 32MB Flash memory vs 128MB for the new NETGEAR one. DDWRT might not run very well.

If features and the ability to use DDWRT:

NETGEAR

If range is your #1:

have you also looked into the AMPED WIRELESS!!! R10000G??? it's got hardcore range!!!

However it does not support DDWRT and it doesn't have usb sharing, however I reached out to AMPED WIRELESS and they said they are going to release a new router with usb sharing!

What is it with you and amped wireless?!?!? Every single thread lately with you in it has some reply with it. I don't care one single bit about amped wireless.

[remixedcat]

What is it with you and amped wireless?!?!? Every single thread lately with you in it has some reply with it. I don't care one single bit about amped wireless.

y u no care about them?

THEY HAVE 10,000 SQ FT COVERAGE!!!!!

which router are you gonna get?

[Miuku.]

I have a NETGEAR WGR614 that's been awesome for 6 years! NETGEAR makes great stuff.

Must've been one of a kind - back when I used to work in IT Netgear was one of those words that made us laugh ourselves to death whenever we heard someone actually wanted to buy one.

Can't remember how many of them we RMA'd, more than any other brand by _far_.

[THolman Veteran]

I've never had any luck with Netgears. As MiukuMac says, each one I owned died a sudden death not long after I got it, and they seemed to be all around 'cheap junk.' I know that some people are going to disagree with me onnthisnone, and maybe they do make some good products, but I'd stay away, just from prior experience. I'm quite happy with my AirPort Extreme, which works just great with my 3 Windows devices and countless gaming systems as well.

[remixedcat]

Must've been one of a kind - back when I used to work in IT Netgear was one of those words that made us laugh ourselves to death whenever we heard someone actually wanted to buy one.

Can't remember how many of them we RMA'd, more than any other brand by _far_.

oh wow... where did you work IT for???

[rajputwarrior]

just stay far far away from netgear... miuku is right. when i worked retail IT we sent tons of those things back.

[remixedcat]

well dlink couldnt even make and ethernet card right... my sister about lost it... this was back when pcs didnt have built in cards... she wanted to throw it out her dorm window. I think she prolly did and ended up getting a netgear or a 3com one... it worked fine. that damn dlink just refused to work at all. windows never detected it right even useing official drivers and even drivers for other OS... Belkin is a joke never never never get a belkin the admin panel didn't even keep the time properly and locked up all the time... my sister had to use IE to configure it becuase firefox wouldn't work with it. the admin panel made IE crash all the time too. the router lasted like 3 days I think as well... that was the worst router ive ever seen. I had a linksys that lasted a week... first the wireless went out, then the wired lan wouldnt work at all. My parents have a netgear and it works just fine as well. I guess netgear likes me more LOL...

[#Michael]

I am really thinking about that asus one. I shall see come pay day. Plus, I will sell my airport on craigslist and basically pay for it that way.

[neo1911]

I am talking about this one.

ASUS RT-N56U

I have it and it rocks. It's reviews on Amazon say the same thing too.

Negatives:

1. No IPv6 support

2. Wifi is 300 Mbps and not 450 Mbps like some ultra costly modems (But it won't make much difference in terms of speeds)

[watchthisspace]

If I was to choose from that list, it would be the Asus, Netgear then Linksys. If your wireless enabled devices are capable with 802.11ac then wait and get one of those. If not, I'd personally get the Asus, and when 802.11ac routers and chips have matured to a point where they're great and your new wireless devices are 802.11ac capable, I'd upgrade then.

[Ghost5525]

So would a netgear or the Asus RT-N12 be better for a tri-level home... im hoping to stream HD movies and i have an aging WRT350N. Coverage downstairs is only about 30-40% but i think it doesn't have as many antennas as the newer ones as well as its slower clocked and older. Any ideas guys?

[remixedcat]

this AMPED WIRELESS!!!! one has hardcore coverage!!!!! Give it a try for your large home!

It has USB sharing and dual band

I am torn between that and that new netgear one... the netgear has GB wireless, however no external antennas so coverage might not be so good... I want better coverage downstairs myself... my router's on the 2nd floor....

both that and the netgear one have about the same feature set... the netgear one is a little more pricey though...

[Crisp]

AMPED WIRELESS!!!!!!!!! is too hardcore for me.

Is 802.11ac worth it at the moment? Not any device that comes to mind has it, so you'll just be running N speeds still.