Help buying a router

[Betty]

I am interested in getting a router but I need some help. I will be using it for a laptop. I want a good one but I don't want to pay an arm and a leg for it. Any suggestions would be helpful.

[kcredden]

Well I know almost nothing about networking, but here's my $.03

$.01 A hub may do the trick. A hub is basically a splitter. Takes one connection, and turns it into two. Good for the occasional connections. Cheap, and works fine.

$.02 Wired hubs or routers are safer. Someone can come up to your house as far away as 100' or more and tap into your wireless connection. Even if the security is turned on, that doesn't stop someone who knows what to do, from breaking into it. No wireless connections is fully safe.

$.03 I've got a Cisco hub, I got ... gosh, 10 years ago? 4 connections from it, worked ever since and it wasn't around $30 I think from Wal-Mart.

I'd add a $.04, but I can't recall anything else :).

- Kc

[mistersinister]

Linksys, makes a good wireless router right around the 59-69 dollar range. I'd stick with wireless G unless you have a newer laptop that may have a wireless N card installed. If you are just doing basic websurfing, G is all you need IMHO. I would highly recommend locking down the wireless signal using WPA versus WEP once again IMHO.

[Flame]

I have used Belkin and Linksys and had success with both. Both around 60 bucks. I have always used the G.

[wmjsmallwood]

belkin ,is the better ,i had a linksys and it only lasted a year ,,

[Betty]

Thanks so much for the help. I wound up getting the wireless G. I ordered it from Windstream. And got a good deal to boot. They charge a $100 and you get a $50 rebate. Hopefully I'll be able to lock down the signal so I won't be furnishing the whole neighborhood with internet. Thanks Again.

[RonnieF]

Netgear is good. Got one at best buy. around 45 dollars, and have had no problems whatsoever.

[RichP]

I been using the Belkin for over a year now without a problem .......:)