Router Recommendations?

The router I bought probably over five years ago is now dying... at least the wireless, which is what is primarily used in the house.

Anyway I'm hoping to get some router recommendations. I haven't needed to look at them for a good five or so years. I see TP-Link, along with Medialink, have some heafty reviews on Amazon, but these are complete new companies to me. Any thoughts? Their routers are at a decent price.

Price range is around $60-$80. I want something that will be easy to setup on a Mac and last at least a few years.

Thanks in advance.

 

I've never done a whole lot of research about routers but I did a little looking into it for you.

Maybe try going with something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122326 Well reviewed across various websites, within your price range, and will work with your mac.

 

http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DIR-615-Wireless-N-Router-4-Port/dp/B000QD7B6W/

Get this one. Had it for years, no problems at all.

 

my brother works as a network professional, from what ive heard linksys is the way to go atm.

 

I would not recommend a TP-link. I bought one and a couple of friends did too. Mine quit working after about 6 months and my friends' didn't even last a year also.

 

Thank you for the taking a bit of time to research some routers. That was very kind of you!

I actually looked at this router on Amazon. It's more expensive there, so I'll go with Newegg if I decide to get it. There are some pretty negative reviews in regard to this router though (on Amazon at least). :\ But the positives make it sound like an AMAZING router, when it works.

Actually, my current router (that's dying) is a d-link, and I had no problems for like 5 years with it. It was/is a good router. Just can't find a different (newer) d-link with solid reviews. The more I'm researching the more I think I want a dual band router, otherwise I might be tempted to just get the same d-link I have.

Why linksys? I've used one of their routers before and wasn't too impressed. But years ago I heard the same thing... linksys is the router to use. I used it and it died within a year or so. :\

LOL. That's on par with the reviews I've read about it. Thank you for your input! Definitely will not get a TP-link now.

 

You'll generally find that about ANY newegg/amazon product. The people that leave reviews are generally the people who are very satisfied with it, or people that have had a lot of issues. I'd bet that 70% of people that have it and its working fine don't bother to leave reviews. =p

 

That is true.

 

I'd spend the money and get an AC router personally. I have an ASUS RT-AC66U and it works great.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, but that's just way more than I would like to spend on a router.

 

Ah sorry, I didn't read OP well enough. Sadly, I don't have much experience with other routers. I use to have an ASUS RT-N66U which is their wireless N standard premium router. I believe that also is out of your price range. I've always had good experiences with ASUS as a company and I'm sure they have some good mid-range routers.

Actually, the N66U's little brother is in that price range.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320062

Also, just a heads up. The firmware has been greatly improved for ASUS routers, so if you see a review bitching about firmware it's more than likely been patched.

 

I think I'm going to try the NETGEAR router first, if that doesn't work out I'll try the ASUS.

If you don't mind... How long have you had yours for? Do you usually spend that much on your router? I never could convince myself that a $100+ router would be worth it.

 

Well the reason I bought a router that expensive is that my house is pretty big so I needed the range, I have lots of devices connected so I need the optimization, and the new wireless standard just came out so that carried a premium.

I've had my ASUS AC router for around 6 months now and it's working like a charm; speeds are slower than Ethernet but much faster than wireless N. If you want the latest and greatest, have lots of devices connected, or want something a bit more "future proof," I suggest you get it.

 

Thanks for the response. Will keep that in mind.

 

We've always used TP-Link and D-Link, but really cheap routers. After that we just use signal boosters (TP-Link & Huawei) which do the job, and they manage to boost signal all the way around a 10 bedroom house with old fashioned thick walls, so I think that they'll be sufficient for your usage. I'll get the specs for you later and edit them in.

 

Well, as I mentioned in a previous post I went with NETGEAR. I am so frustrated with this router... It's apparently not an uncommon issue, but I was hoping that it would be easily resolved, or nonexistent for me. I was getting multiple disconnects with it, for no reason. The lights on the router and modem are active and on. Internet is still working, it just denies all the computers access throughout the day.

To call customer service would cost $39.99. No thanks.

Not a hard decision to just throw it back in the box to return. So if anyone is looking at getting a NETGEAR WNDR3700, do so with caution. Not a fun time if you plan on bossing, or anything that requires a reliable internet connection.

 

Yeah, like I said, get a D-Link (more the one I linked)

ASUS routers are very good, but yeah they are pricey.

 

Yep, been looking at alternative d-links now. Still thinking about an ASUS.

 

Sitecom routers are doing great these days.