Advice On Buying New Router

Hey people,

I need to get a router but I'm quite sure which one I want to get. The router should have a decent selection of ports. The ethernet ports...obviously. I want it to have a USB port also, as my inspiron does not have a etherent port for some reason. Living in a small house, I don't really think I need a MIMO router. I'm really not bothered about the speed of the router. I also want a router where you could change the firewall settings easily and forward ports easily for using file sharing software.

I also want any recommendations on any adaptors take convert a USB port into an etherent port. I'd want a few suggestions as my local PC World store here in the UK might not stock a wide selection of routers.

Cheers, any feedback would be appreciated.

 

I dont even think they make routers with USB and Ethernet built into them. Sorry, but you might have to get a adapter as stated.

To start out with routers, i would go with Netgear, or Linksys if available in the UK. Check my guide to start with, and let me know if any of those interest you. It was updated, so it has every single Netgear and Linksys router.

 

How about getting a wireless card and router? Then you wouldn't need USB.

 

Good point. Even if the inspiron model doesn't have a card slot available, you can just get a Wireless USB adapter as well. The joys of so many things you can make to get wireless to work.

 

well thanks for your suggestions guys, and I will look at your guide, as I haven't done so yet. You said that there really aren't any routers using USB, but the Belkin Wireless G-Router has. I use to have it, but I gave it back today as it suddenly broke. The wireless on it suddenly stopped working which is a bit odd. I don't really want a wireless connection as I want a stable, reliable connection. I share my laptop with my mum's and I'll probably get my own soon. But until then....I don't think there is much point in buying a wireless PCI network card. I hope I can find the adaptor though.....

 

I'm using a Zyxel, very stable, good wireless distance. It's a Zyxel Prestige 660HW. A newer one would be 662HW w/ antivirus. ohh it comes w/ firewall as well Port forwarding can be done thru PnP via windows easy. I'm surprised your Inspiron doesn't have an ethernet, PCMCIA ethernet card could do the work, very cheap, but then you won't have the "freedom" of moving around, see what suits you best

 

With the router, your best for stability would be Linksys. As, they are truely, great routers. bad thign with them is, is that there setup is very difficult.

 

And the amount of problems with them, according to various threads in various forums, is equal to the amount of problems with the Intel wireless adapters. Come to think about, the most frequent problems are when people use a Linksys router together with an Intel wireless adapter.

 

True Dr

Im also for Netgear, but lil Mayz doesn't have a intel card im sure of. Plus my Intel card and my linksys router work fine. But i have the 2100 card. Yeah, im upgrading soon to the 3945. Then we will know the true test is about to come.