New wireless router

[Fat Bob]

My router seems to have buggered. Either that or the wireless on the PC has gone, replacing the router is a long-term strategy anyhow so seems cheaper to do that first rather than the PC (it's a laptop, so complete replacement in Apr probably).

So, what's the best out there at the moment? Currently have wireless G but will expect to have a PC with Wireless N in a few months time, so gotta keep that in mind.

I know Jedi as issues with Wireless N as it's not a full standard yet, so theoretically the specs could alter significantly between the router I buy now and the PC I buy in 4-6 months time. How likely is this? Or is it better to get a 6 month stop-gap cheap router now and then upgrade to Wireless N when I buy the PC?

[baloo]

I can't recommend the DLINK DIR-655 enough. Brilliant router. Fast, Long Range, never falters. I've got one and installed a couple of others for friends and other than a slight issue with Lenovo laptops, they all are very happy.

[Bender]

I have a 655 as well and it works fine. The new 855 is apparently even better, something to do with simultaneous G & N.

The new Linksys routers have been getting very good reviews in the Oz computer magazines, and the Belkin 'N1 Vision' hasn't.

Although there are no guarantees, my understanding is that it's unlikely the 'N' spec will change much between now and signoff.

[Fat Bob]

Yeah, that looks good, will look into cost next time I'm at Challenger.

The Wireless N is wanted because when I upgrade the laptop then I'll be looking to stream from the laptop to the XBox 360 so I don't have to get off my lazy arse to watch my hooky downloads. Quality. (XBox360 will be hardwired into the router, only the laptop will be wireless, so plenty of bandwidth....I hope!)

Any others for any others?

PS: I might buy the Wireless N card as well for the current laptop and see if the streaming works..... YAY!!!

[Jedi]

Since switching to custom firmware (DD-WRT) I would need serious incentives to switch back to a router that doesn't support it. Linksys firmware is a joke compare to DD-WRT. With that in mind, that just gives me more reasons not to switch to N at the moment. I have the linksys WRT54GS. I'm sure they are dirt cheap now. But if you were considering gettting one for using DD-WRT, you need to make sure that it's supported. The latest versions don't support it.

Edit: perhaps i spoke to soon. Looks like there are some models that support it:
http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=19799

[Fat Bob]

What would custom firmware do that I can't do on the original firmware? Or is this only if you want extra useability out of the router? (Errr.....what extra useability can you get....switch it on, set up security, set up your port forwarding....go!)

[Jedi]

Well one of the most important things it gives you is better wifi performance. For me, one of the other was bluetooth coexistence mode (my bluetooth headset was killing the PS3s wifi connection - that's now resolved with DD-WRT). On top of that, substantial control over your router that normal firmware just doens't give you (example. sheduled reboots - i have mine rebooting once a week). And on top of all that, QOS that actually works.

You get so much more out of your router when using DD-WRT.