The point is that, though a box may be beautiful at handling ethernet connections, you have to be very careful about whether or not the one you get can be configured by a Mac. The best ones (from a platform independence standpoint) use a browser interface, so they are completely platform independent. The next tier has both Mac and PC configuration software. Below that (way below) is the equipment that has only one or the other-usually PC only.

Over the counter routers at BestBuy, etc., are usually aimed at PC users-marketing says that PC folks are more into tinkering, and I do tinker with my PCs...

Anyway, look CAREFULLY at the packaging for Mac support before you buy, and if you have any question about whether or not "Mac support" actually means being able to configure the thing from a Mac, make sure you get authorization (in writing is good) to bring the thing back for a full refund. That will at least get the BestBuy kid to think hard about what he recommends. (In my experience, the sales people at BestBuy are the least informed about their product lines-except the stuff they personnaly think is cool-of any hardware retailer. Don't get me started talking about when I bought a refrigerator from them...)

P.S.: Isn't SMC's stuff OEM'd by the same folks that make hardware for Asante? It's worth checking...