[Siefer]

I've been having a headache searching for a wireless router the last couple of days, and before anyone asks, I DID use the search forum for related topics on this AND other forums.

I'll list my needs:

-Wireless router will first connect to my PC running Windows XP Home Edition, this will NOT be done wirelessly. I will have 2 iBooks on this network, one with an Airport 802.11b card and the other with a 802.11g card, the wireless router must work without problems in this setup. (I do not care if my home LAN speed is slowed down because of the 802.11b).

-It must be relatively easy to set up, maintain, and be reliable.

I've narrowed it down to four companies:

-Linksys
-Netgear
-Buffalo
-Dlink

I've heard that best things from Netgear, and it's low price point does appeal to me, but the problems I've heard from it's 802.11g routers has been less than appealing (in its defence though, it doesn't matter to me if the router is 802.11g and I've heard similar bad things about most 802.11g routers, at least in the past).

Dlink allows port forwarding, but I haven't heard much else about them.

I've heard the least from Buffalo, but the little that I've heard has usually been good news from disgruntled Netgear/Linksys/Dlink users.

I honestly haven't been paying much attention to Linksys, unless someone can convince me otherwise.

Price is a factor, but it's not so important that I'm willing to toss out something that is clearly superior to the side for something cheaper.

Thank you all for any/all help that you're able to provide me with, I truly appreciate it.

~Siefer

[si_lance]

I'll put in a vote for a "b" Netgear MR814v2. It's cheap and works flawlessly after a firmware upgrade to stop dropping my Centrino work notebook. If you need complex port forwarding, it already was beat to death by another thread that this is NOT the model for you, but for flawlessly networking computers and sharing the internet connection without interruption, look no further.

p.s. I think Staples has a good rebate at the moment, and they do rebate tracking over the net so it's painless.

[John Strung]

I bought several DLink 614+ wireless routers on sale cheap a few weeks ago to set up a wireless LAN at our office and also at home. They have all worked flawlessly and I have been impressed by their software.

[siegzdad]

I've been using the Linksys BEFW11S4 v1 for quite some time and am very pleased with it. I have also used the g version (don't remember the model number) with quite good results.

[ghporter]

Go with the Netgear 814 for the following reasons:
It's CHEAP-much less expensive than the competition.
It's easy to set up-nice little browser-based configuration that's easy to navigate.
It's got both wired and wireless in the same box for simplicity.
Did I mention it's very inexpensive?

Overall the best reason is the price-you can get your feet wet, so to speak, with a wireless router for about $35, and not have any regrets. If it's not for you, you're only out $35...