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EvanV · Sep 26, 2003, 07:05 PM

I was going to get the AirPort Extreme Base station but didnt want to shell out 350 CDN for it, so I went to Future Shop (Canada's equivalent to a place like Best Buy) and found a Linksys for 149.99 CDN. Anyone got any other suggestions? I was thiking D-Link might be good too, but I have never used wireless internet before.

Aluminum · Sep 26, 2003, 07:17 PM

nor have I, however I did buy a wireless router after reading some reviews. DO NOT buy the Linksys, cnet gave it horrible reviews as well as users. I personally saw the best feedback for the Netgear WGR614, thats the g router I went with, no if only airborne would deliver my damn computer I would be able to see how good it is. Hope this helps. Check out Cnet for some reviews.

kennedy · Sep 26, 2003, 09:42 PM

I got a great deal on an SMC g router. Setup was easy and it worked great with my PowerBook. I've setup a second one as a wireless access point... slightly non-intuitive, but easy enough. Overall, I am pleased with the coverage... but I don't really have anything to compare against.

Dougmc · Sep 27, 2003, 09:49 AM

Personally, having used the Linksys 54g wireless router for about 6 months now, I've not had a single issue with using it. It set-up easily and is easy to manage. Besides using my 17" PowerBook wirelessly, I have a Linksys wireless bridge that I have an older Mac hooked to in another part of the house. I'm getting great throughput for the usage that I need. I hope that helps.

Clarkey · Sep 27, 2003, 10:19 AM

My local Staples store has the D-Link DI 624 (wireless "g" router) for $179.95 CDN plus a $60 CDN mail in rebate. The rebate isn't mentioned on their website, and as far as I know the deal ends (you have to purchase before) September 30th.

TheBum · Sep 27, 2003, 05:29 PM

I can attest that the Netgear WGR614 works well. I have no problems connecting to it from my 12" PowerBook (using 802.11g) and my clamshell iBook (using 802.11b). I got mine for $68 US after a $25 rebate.

Phat Bastard · Sep 27, 2003, 06:20 PM

I have been using the Netgear WGR614 802.11g router for about a month now and it's pretty good. Setup was a breeze, and it has some great features.

Now I'm not sure if the following has to with this specific router or if it's a general characteristic of 802.11g networks, but I find my Powerbook loses its IP address occasionally when I'm the furthest away from the router in my house as I can get. I still have to play around with the channel settings though, as the router could be interfering with my 2.4 GHz telephone.

Other than that, I think it's a great product.

Russian Mac fan · Sep 27, 2003, 07:04 PM

I am using DI-624 and the range is one of the best. I can even go outside and surf from the far back of the backyard. So can my neighbors, I guess

Haven't set up the encryption thing yet

Can they get into my computer though?

Loopydude · Sep 27, 2003, 08:56 PM

Get the Airport Extreme, you'll be happy you did. Pay the extra money. Myself and a guy I know at work both use Ti Powerbooks (667 and 500Mhz, respectively, both with regular Airport cards). I got the Airport Extreme Base Station, a refurb. from Smalldog (paid less, obviously, than new), and he got a Linksys router for about 1/3 what I paid for the AEBS.

I am using my PB to type this right now, on my bed. Later, I can print out a letter I was composing from right here, using the printer in the other room, which is connected to the USB port on the Airport, and works just like I'm plugged right into it.

It took me about ten minutes to set up the Airport, rougly the time it took plug it in, hook up the ethernet cable, and then have my PB dump the updated firmware onto it (which I downloaded at work prior to installation), all without a hitch. Then I surfed, end of story.

My friend, from work, asks me about every other day what I did to set up my Airport. I say, "Dude, I plugged it in and ran the setup assistant.". He says, "yeah, but then what?" I say, "Dude, there is no, 'and then what', that's all I did." So, he says "so after that you could connect?" And I say "YES! For crying out loud, there was nothing else". He says "oh." So I say, "why, how's your's working?" He doesn't answer, he just grumbles something.

Clarkey · Sep 27, 2003, 10:37 PM

Let me guess.

You and your friend work for Dell...

superfula · Sep 27, 2003, 10:54 PM

Originally posted by Loopydude:
Get the Airport Extreme, you'll be happy you did. Pay the extra money. Myself and a guy I know at work both use Ti Powerbooks (667 and 500Mhz, respectively, both with regular Airport cards). I got the Airport Extreme Base Station, a refurb. from Smalldog (paid less, obviously, than new), and he got a Linksys router for about 1/3 what I paid for the AEBS.

I am using my PB to type this right now, on my bed. Later, I can print out a letter I was composing from right here, using the printer in the other room, which is connected to the USB port on the Airport, and works just like I'm plugged right into it.

It took me about ten minutes to set up the Airport, rougly the time it took plug it in, hook up the ethernet cable, and then have my PB dump the updated firmware onto it (which I downloaded at work prior to installation), all without a hitch. Then I surfed, end of story.

My friend, from work, asks me about every other day what I did to set up my Airport. I say, "Dude, I plugged it in and ran the setup assistant.". He says, "yeah, but then what?" I say, "Dude, there is no, 'and then what', that's all I did." So, he says "so after that you could connect?" And I say "YES! For crying out loud, there was nothing else". He says "oh." So I say, "why, how's your's working?" He doesn't answer, he just grumbles something.

Sounds like your friend doesn't know what he's doing. I had a Linksys 8011G router for a couple weeks. I did nothing to set it up. Plugged it in, turned the airport connection on, and BAM, it was rolling. Decided I can't stand wireless internet so went back to wired

Linksys has the longest range of ANY G wireless router out now, made for consumers. And for pete's sake, DO NOT buy the AE base station. It was overpriced, and has one of the worst ranges of the wireless routers. Check out practicallynetworked.com for a rundown. Linksys is easily the best out there. It may be a bit more expensive than the dlink, but it's worth it

Soprano · Sep 28, 2003, 09:18 AM

I've had the Linksys WRT54g for over 6 months, and it works excellent. The only downside is Linksys doesn't officially support Macs.

I found a command/hack for this router that actually boosts the range. Inside the Linksys router is a Linux OS. Follow this link:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/rema...p,16~mode=flat

Russian Mac fan · Sep 28, 2003, 02:41 PM

wo what's wrong with wireless internet?? I am loving it. I don't notice any speed difference. The only time my signal drops is when I am within a few feet from a microwave (say, in the kitchen) and I have to use the microwave. Other than that, the signal is always at its strongest anywhere in the house (I am in the basement right now and the base unit is on the second floor), I am using the DI-624. It was $120 at BestBuy and I have a $2o rebate coming.

Loopydude · Sep 29, 2003, 09:50 PM

Uh, dude, no, I don't, like, work for Dell.

But, like dewd, the Extreme Base, like, it TOTALLY RAWKS! Wooooot! Dewd, like the Linksis, like suxors. Dewwwd.

Seriously, all I can say is that an AEBS refub. isn't hard to get, doesn't cost that much, and works without a hitch. I have no experience with other routers, and only know what I do second-hand. Having said that, my bud from work is not a moron, knows both PCs and Macs pretty well, and seems to be having some serious issues getting a Linksys router working at home. Granted, he's trying to get it up and running for both a PC notebook and a Mac, and I'm not sure if that has something to do with it. The issue seems to be on the Mac end, though.

As for range: I live in a townhouse that's rather virtical and linear. It's long, narrow, and tall, in other words. Right now I have maximum speed and I'm approx. 40 feet, linear distance, from the Airport Extreme Base, and two floors down from it...as far as I can get, basically, from it and still be inside of my home. Half of the signal is being radiated into the air above my house. What more range does a guy need? I mean, I don't want to be broadcasting 801.11g to the whole developement now, do I? I know I've got security and a firewall and all, but still. Frankly, I've looked at the antenna option and wondered "What on Earth for? My own radio station?"