Basic router recommendation:

Live in a 500sf apt. in NYC; use a wireless laptop (Dell Latitude), Ipad and Apple TV (very rarely more than 2 of those simultaneously).
Currently using a Linksys wrt160n which I am having alot of problems with.
It is too slow and I fear that I am getting noise from all of the other signals/apartments on my floor.

Also, I would ultimately like to stream 1080p through my Apple TV, if possible. Worth getting a gigabit router?

Recommendations for my environment?

 

Definitely a router that supports 5GHz band (although some of your devices might not support 5GHz).
Netgear WNDR3700 would do the job very well assuming you can use its 5GHz band on your laptop.

 

Another router that might be worth it is a refurb E4200v1, i don't know if you can still find one in the US and at what price, but i often see that router for ~50$ in Canada and at that price it's kind of a steal. Either that router of the WNDR3700 that downloads recommended will serve you very well.

 

I just checked my devices; my laptop has a intel n6200 which supports both, as does my Ipad and Apple TV2.

TIJO-thanks-

Most of the Linksys routers can be bought as refurbs for more than 50% of their retail.
The EA3500 is only $70.

What is the difference between 300+300 and 300+450 (or is it really just as simple as 100mbps speed diff?).
I cant seem to tell what separates these routers, as all (with the exception of the cheapest) appear to be dual band and have at least 300mbps.
Is there such thing as wireless gigabit?

 

300 is two stream, 450 is three stream . For typical user, two stream is adequate, there is not much device that support 3 stream atm.

 

I haven't looked at how the E3500 performs, i doubt it will be as good as the WNDR3700v2. I suggested the E4200 because it has very good range and i saw it for cheap in Canada, i didn't check the US prices. Now that i checked, seems like you won't find one at that price unfortunately.

EDIT: baiii is right, 3 streams isn't necessary, but like i said, i suggested the E4200 for it's good range in quite a few situations and also because owning one, i am quite satisfied with it. That said, my previous router (E3000) was also performing quite well.

 

Admit to not having read the whole thread: from personal experience - I would recommend to stay away from any D-Link routers whatsoever, always had some issues with them - i.e. conflicts on some end with sth, be it NAT or other things.

Just my 2 cents