Buying a wireless router. Need advice

[shertz]

I am going to be buying a wireless router for playing games on the PS3 and Wii. Need advice on whats a good make/model of a wireless router. I have a cable internet connection, just need to know whats a fast router. Thanks!

[slip81]

the three major brands (D-Link, Netgear, Linksys) all seem to be pretty much the same quality and price. I have a Linksys myself and haven't had any problems.

Make sure you get something that supports 802.11g. Also if you want to spend a little more you can get routers with built in range and spped boosters, which are normall seperate, which might be helpfull if you're using it in a large house.

[norkusa]

I just got a D-Link 'RangeBooster G' wireless router (WBR-2310) a couple weeks ago for $50 at Office Depot. Works smooth for everything I tried with it so far (PSP,DS) and am blown away by how strong the wireless signal is. My old D-Link wireless router would barely stay connected if I went on another level of the house with my DS. With this new one, I can go in my backyard or garage and still keep a strong connection.

I bought a Linksys WRT54G wireless router before I bought the D-Link and didn't like it. The wireless worked great on it but I had problems using it with my bittorrent client. Couldn't get consistent download/upload speeds with it for some reason (even after manually opening the ports on it). I exchanged it for this D-Link and I haven't had any problems since.

[diskoboy]

D-Link does develop a router specifically made for gaming... But it's pretty pricey.

[dcescott]

Not to threadjack....
I have had no luck with a router either. I am a mac user by trade. I might look into the D link. I have an old Linksys wireless b, but my internet drops off even when I plug right into the router. It's always something...
It would help if Linksys had a setup wizard for us feeble minded mac users.
Nintendo Wifi website has a list but I thinks it's old from last year. It would be good to get a list of new versions on the market before playing the buy and return game all day.

[norkusa]

Hey dcescott, I'm a Mac user too and I didn't have any problems setting up that D-Link. Basically plug-and-play. It even has a 'Gaming Mode' option....not sure exactly what it does but I don't have any problems getting online with my 360 or any Mac games when it's enabled. Although, I think most new routers have that feature anyway.

If you need help setting up your router, check out this site. All you do is select your router and the application you want to configure it with, and it'll spit out a complete walk-thru tutorial with pics:

http://portforward.com/

[PapaStu]

I'm also a mac user and our Wii and our DS's have picked up our Airport network with absolutly zero problems. In fact I was making the comment that we needed to go buy a small Cat5 cable for the Wii when my Fiance had already gotten it online and started the updates before I had even remembered that it had WiFi out of the box.

However for the rest of our systems online needs (XBox, PS2, X360) i've just got them plugged into a small 5-port linksys hub that plugs into the Airport Express thats next to our TV. Solves our problems just fine.

[dcescott]

Sweet. Look like I'm gonna get a new router tonight. mmm new gadgets. I have totally overloaded myself last year in new toys, wii, ds, psp, video ipod, new phone...
No airport express yet. I upgraded my computer right before they included the wireless stuff for "free". I am also waiting on CS3 to be fully released befor I take the intel plunge. Photoshop is super slow here at work in emulation. More gadgets to get?? Tax return time!

[meancode]

I am a Mac user too. I have a Linksys 4 port wired router. I use it in conjunction with my AirPort Express. Works great, as it off loads the DHCP routing to the Linksys. You can tell when just using the AirPort that it has to work harder without the Linksys.

My Linksys is about 4 or 5 yrs. old. I might get a new one, which would be a Linksys 4 port A/G Wireless router so I can plug wired into it as well. Of course then I would not need my AirPort Express.

But for now, there is no need to upgrade.

I like Linksys products over the others. They have nice firmware, and their configuration is quite easy. The Linksys Wireless Game Adapter, on the other hand, is a hunk of junk. It does not have a web based config, it is a Windows based application and requires you to first plug it into your router to get it working - unacceptable.

[shertz]

Thanks for the help, guys. I think I am going to go for the D-Link gamelounge router. Its been getting great reviews on various sites.

[Sylentwulf]

Maybe late, but my opinion is Netgear sucks. They're inexpensive for a reason. Mine CONSTANTLY lost connection for no reason. I've never REALLY had a problem with linksys on the other hand.