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Category: General Discussion
Wireless Internet Connection...

I am thinking of getting all set up with a wireless setup for my home computer, what does everyone suggest for a wireless router and card (I have a tower and a laptop, so I would need something for the tower as well that would be able to read the wireless connection).

also, if you can mention specific favored brands, and if you know a good place to buy them online that would be cool too.

Jdbaker

It's amazing how inexpensive the wireless stuff has gotten these days. You can find a good router (802.11b) for well under $100. I even seem them as cheep as $25, but remember you get what you pay for. I just checked and Amazon has a Netgear 802.11b for $40 after rebate. I hear this one is quite good.

Neo.

Neo, I'll have to check that out. Does anyone else have any suggestions? Is Amazon.com the best place to get these sorts of things? Is Netgear 802.11b any good, or has anyone heard anything bad about them? Thanks for your help.

Netgear or Linksys make good wireless networking hardware.

You might want to check this out, too: www.pricegrabber.com. That site is the best place I've found for pricing things, especially computer stuff.

Thanks Dromed, does everyone else agree that Netgear and Linksys is the way to go?

I have the Linksys Wireless Router and a Linksys Wireless USB adapter. I also have a Netgear PCCard Wireless adapter. I've been quite happy with all of them. I only wish the adapters had jacks to plug in an external antenna so I could get a better range. We spliced the Linksys adapter to put on a bigger antenna and that made a HUGE difference but it was overkill for a home network setup.

you're speaking chinese blender. I guess the important thing to take away from your post is that Linksys is a good brand?

Ok, JD, I'll translate. He said: "I have both Linksys and Netgear equipment. I like them both. However, companies don't make cool enough networking equipement, so I took it upon myself to make them much, much cooler."

Blender, please don't take offense, it really wasn't my intention. :D

no problem Dromed, I thought that is what I said, at least someone understood me. On a side note I've also heard that Dell's wireless stuff is pretty good too.

Yo JD, wassamatta? u no speeka ma languich? rofl

I get it now :)

Remember one thing, as with anything else you do get what you pay for.

(From experience) Cheaper Linksys hardware tends to last about a year or 2 for the more demanding users. The good news is that they will RMA the defective hardware, but I have seen a lot of mixed results with refurb RMA on the low end. On the higher end stuff, you are pretty safe because some of you may recall of a merger with cisco systems. Some of that goodness is in there. :)

Netgear is pretty simple to sort out. Most of their better stuff takes a price jump and stops coming in grey plastic and appears in blue metal. I have found their stuff to be pretty decent on both ends.

SMC is another good over looked brand that I have used and sold in the past. Excellent range in their wireless, and if you are looking for a killer gigabit switch for your wired LAN, check out their 5 port and 8 port models. The only switches in their price range with jumbo packet support.

I hope some of this is somewhat helpful, though a bit late.










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