Thread

Best Wireless Router for Least Money

Best Wireless Router for Least Money Networking 9 posts Aug 6, 2002 — Aug 10, 2002

#1 Tue, 6 Aug 2002 - 10:57

I am heading back to school and I want a wirelss internet router for my and my roomates computers. We are cross platform and everything will work for the PCs but I need to make sure I have AppleTalk. I also want the capapbility of dialing with a built in modem as well as etherenet Routing capapbility, but I do not want the range that an Airport Base Station offers as I have a TiBook. So I am trying to find a decent priced one as soon as possible, so if anyone has a good recommendation I would love it! I also want to use this to let PCs print over DAVE to a LaserWriter Select 300 (Using Apple Serial Share Software).

THanks,
Nick

#2 Tue, 6 Aug 2002 - 12:07

Netgear MR314

#3 Tue, 6 Aug 2002 - 12:09

I'm curious about this as well... currently I'm looking at the SMC SMC7004AWBR router. I have the SMC7004ABR (same router minus the wireless ability) and it has been flawless... also has a print server that PC's can use (unfortunately I couldn't figure out how to use it with my Mac... our home is a mixed bag of PCs and Macs). The router sells for around $130 depending on where you buy it from... I'm pretty sure it handles AppleTalk. Anyone who has one of these care to comment?

Cheers!
Chris

#4 Tue, 6 Aug 2002 - 12:46

Just got the Netgear MR314 for $117.95 after rebeat, hopefully I can lock unwanted users on campus out? It seemed to be the best buy, almost went for one from ZOOM with a modem port, but then I remembered in another year DSL/Cable will probably overtake dialup...hopefully. Is it easy to set up?

Nick

#5 Tue, 6 Aug 2002 - 23:42

I too am looking to buy a new wireless router; however, I need one with an easy "web-interface" to configure or even better, one that will work with Aiport Admin Utility....most important thing to me is range.

Any ideas?

#6 Wed, 7 Aug 2002 - 20:15

Look at this possiblility:
Get a "regular" router and then a Wireless Access Point and plug it in to the router. Advantages:
You can put the router in a more convenient place for landlines while putting the Access point high up on the wall in the best position to maximize your range. Also, SMC's Wireless Access Point claims 1000 ft range which beats most of the combo router/wireless things mentioned in this thread.

#7 Thu, 8 Aug 2002 - 19:17

SMC SMC7004VWBR which is the successor to the SMC SMC7004AWBR which is a very good router; always rated near/at the top, or at least back when I was researching mine on practicallynetworked.com

#8 Fri, 9 Aug 2002 - 00:21

Actually ended up getting the D-Link DWL-1000AP wireless access point from TigerDirect.com... $59.99 after rebate (normally I don't like tigerdirect, I've had RMA problems with them in the past, but I couldn't pass on the price). After a little tinkering around I have everything up and running (definitely need a PC to configure everything... firmware updates too)... so happy with my purchase.

Chris

#9 Sat, 10 Aug 2002 - 02:51

Quote:

Originally posted by Krusty:
Look at this possiblility:
Get a "regular" router and then a Wireless Access Point and plug it in to the router. Advantages:
You can put the router in a more convenient place for landlines while putting the Access point high up on the wall in the best position to maximize your range. Also, SMC's Wireless Access Point claims 1000 ft range which beats most of the combo router/wireless things mentioned in this thread.

I wouldn't agree with that. I'd say get a combo and only if you find your signal strength is not enough then do you start with playing with the location etc. It is also easy enough to hack any router to broadcast their signal further if needed (google for something like wireless router hack Pringle.