Completely lost about routers?

I'll be getting a laptop in the near future, and I've only had desktops before. I'm looking for a router that has wifi, but thats about as far as my knowledge goes.

I have a DSL modem connected to my desktop right now.


I have no idea what I need to buy at all. As far as budget, I'm not really sure, but definitely not over $200 if possible. (I could go past, but it would really cut into my college money)

 

Sticky: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=30162

Guide: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2347539,00.asp

HowStuffWorks: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network.htm

 

While reading is very good. I can assure you OP that it's nothing to difficult. You already have a DSL Modem, so all you need to get Wireless conectivity now is a Wireless Router.

You will connect whichever Wireless Router you choose to get via ethernet cable (which should come with the Router) to the "WAN/Internet" port of the DSL Modem and then log into the Wireless Router and configure it. Which shouldn't be too difficult with good instructions from the manual and help from this forum.

And you also don't need to spend tons of money on a good Wireless Router either. If the G standard would be fine for you. The WRT54G2, which I own is a decent Router. You can take your pick.

 

I wouldn't recommend WRT54G2- I'm glad it works fine for you makaveli72 but it has only 8MB of RAM and 2MB flash memory so it's not the best choice.
Reasonable standard seems to be twice that and it's going up as you need better routers to handle faster connections (by that I mean multiple connections used by VoIP, P2P, online gaming etc)

 

For the avg. user the WRT54G2 would be just fine. All depends on what the OP will be doing.

 

I don’t think so. Keep in mind that what you have is probably not what is in stock right now.
Version 1 was 16MB RAM and that would be OK for average user, version 1.2 was 8MB RAM (both Broadcom based) where as version 1.5 is based on atheros (don't know about RAM but probably also 8MB).
What's OK is WRT54GL or anything above it. If you have version 1 of WRT54G2 you may be very pleased with it but that's not the case with later revisions.

EDIT: I've checked that WRT54G2 v1.2 is in fact WRT54G v8.2 with new box so all things that can be said about WRT54G v5 and newer apply here too.

 

I'm pretty sure I have the 8MB ver. and it's been working fine for me, torrent downloads, online PS3 gaming etc...Well I tweaked it with dd-wrt firmware so maybe that's why I never had any real issues with it.

But I understand what you're saying downloads; don't get me wrong, I know what happens when too many connections start to load up on the Router...it will either hang or disconnect/drop it's connection. (I think even the Orig. WRT54G that I have has 16MB mem.) but I honestly feel the OP wouldn't have any issues with it, or I wouldn't have mentioned it. But as you said the GL might be a better choice, and maybe even the Orig. G.

Just trying to show the OP that he doesn't needs to spend $ loads of money for a decent Router.

 

I agree completely. Linksys is well known and produces good routers but there are also good routers available from less known companies like Buffalo or TP-Link that are cheaper and sometimes even better.
The problem remains though- you gotta know a good deal about routers to buy TP-Link because you know it's good.
One very important thing you mentioned is DD-WRT. That's how I would start buying. Be sure that you buy sth that is supported by DD-WRT or other third party firmware. Even if you think it is sth you don't need at least you get alternative firmware in case official one gives you trouble. And if in time your needs for advanced features grow- you just upgrade firmware for free instead of buying a new router.

 

^^^ I hear you. I never even knew about TP-Link til' just now. Their products don't look too bad at all.

 

TP-Links are solid. Don't expect hardware like in Asus RT-N16 but nothing to be ashamed of either. They have good support in terms of new firmware releases and great prices.
One of the companies one can recommend to someone looking for a good router for little money. No DD-WRT though...