Hello everyone. I'm in the market for a new router. However, I am somewhat limited by my choices. I have a $75 dollar Staples Gift Card that I plan to use, so I am limited to the choices available at Staples. Also, due to my desktop configuration space/set up, I can only get a vertical standing router. So this essentially eliminates most all of the Linksys models. The items that I use wireless for, are a laptop, an HTC smartphone, and a HP Touchpad.
Gigabit ports aren't really necessary as I do not have a Gigabit adapter/card on my desktop or pre-historic Xbox 1 (which I use as a media center.)
Dual Band would be nice to have as I live in an apartment with 3 cordless handsets and a microwave, but I don't know if its really a necessity considering not many devices are capable of utilizing the 5GHz spectrum. I've had problems maintaining a connection and playing YouTube videos on my HP Touchpad with my current Linksys WRT54GX4 (SRX400) router. So hopefully, one of these newer routers will help solve that problem. I narrowed my choices down to:
1) Belkin N750 Wireless Dual-Band N+ Router (Model F9K1103)
2) NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N300 Gigabit Router (Model WNR3500L)
3) NETGEAR N600 Wireless Dual Band Router (Model WNDR3400)
The Belkin N750 is Dual Band and rated #2 overall on the WAN to LAN Throughput Router Chart and seems to have great range. However, its firmware seems to have very limited configuration options and DD-WRT or Tomato isn't available for it. I also understand that it wont allow me the option to set Static IP's for my devices. I currently have a wireless printer, that is hardwired via Cat5E cable to my existing router using a Static IP. (I was having trouble getting it to connect wirelessly thats why I connected it using the cable.) So that is somewhat a concern.
The Netgear N300 WNR3500L does not have Dual Band but does have Gigabit connections. It is also more outdated compared to the other 2 routers , but seems to be solid nevertheless. What's enticing is that it is an Open Source router so I can put DD-WRT or Tomato on it.
The Netgear N600 Dual Band WNDR3400 has Dual Band but does not have Gigabit ports. I think DD-WT maybe available for it, but am not positive. It also has a Lifetime Warranty which is great, considering Netgear routers seem to die out quickly. The other 2 routers have only a 2 year and 1 year warranty, respectively.
The prices for all these are in my range. I live in an apartment complex. So with all this in mind, which router would you guys recommend for me? I have also included a screenshot of the spec comparison on Staples.com, for these 3 routers, below. Thanks and I apologize for the lengthy post.
Gigabit ports aren't really necessary as I do not have a Gigabit adapter/card on my desktop or pre-historic Xbox 1 (which I use as a media center.)
Dual Band would be nice to have as I live in an apartment with 3 cordless handsets and a microwave, but I don't know if its really a necessity considering not many devices are capable of utilizing the 5GHz spectrum. I've had problems maintaining a connection and playing YouTube videos on my HP Touchpad with my current Linksys WRT54GX4 (SRX400) router. So hopefully, one of these newer routers will help solve that problem. I narrowed my choices down to:
1) Belkin N750 Wireless Dual-Band N+ Router (Model F9K1103)
2) NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N300 Gigabit Router (Model WNR3500L)
3) NETGEAR N600 Wireless Dual Band Router (Model WNDR3400)
The Belkin N750 is Dual Band and rated #2 overall on the WAN to LAN Throughput Router Chart and seems to have great range. However, its firmware seems to have very limited configuration options and DD-WRT or Tomato isn't available for it. I also understand that it wont allow me the option to set Static IP's for my devices. I currently have a wireless printer, that is hardwired via Cat5E cable to my existing router using a Static IP. (I was having trouble getting it to connect wirelessly thats why I connected it using the cable.) So that is somewhat a concern.
The Netgear N300 WNR3500L does not have Dual Band but does have Gigabit connections. It is also more outdated compared to the other 2 routers , but seems to be solid nevertheless. What's enticing is that it is an Open Source router so I can put DD-WRT or Tomato on it.
The Netgear N600 Dual Band WNDR3400 has Dual Band but does not have Gigabit ports. I think DD-WT maybe available for it, but am not positive. It also has a Lifetime Warranty which is great, considering Netgear routers seem to die out quickly. The other 2 routers have only a 2 year and 1 year warranty, respectively.
The prices for all these are in my range. I live in an apartment complex. So with all this in mind, which router would you guys recommend for me? I have also included a screenshot of the spec comparison on Staples.com, for these 3 routers, below. Thanks and I apologize for the lengthy post.
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