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Wireless router/modem needed

L

Leatherneck

I am so 19th century when it comes to IT, so I'm asking for your help.

My girlfriend just received a Ipad 2, not the one with the 3G, regular one I guess. It's a going away gift from co-workers since her position has been eliminated.

Anyway, now she and I will both need a wireless router/modem at our houses to both plug in desktop computers and support her ipad.

Internet service is through ATT. I called them and was told they offer a Motorola 2-way wireless modem running at 6mb per second that will connect to the desktop plus support 9 other devices. They want $100 plus shipping. the guy couldn't tell me a model name or number.

Are there better routers with better prices out there, or does this sound pretty good?

My ATT internet speed for the computer is the HSI Pro 3.0. Her home connection is slower, can't tell you which, though. Monthly internet fee is $39.00/mo.

Thank-you all
 
tinashubby

tinashubby

I was very new to the wireless age, and I am still computer illiterate. My local internet cable company would rent me one for six bucks a month and 30 bucks to install. I wound up buying my own Belkin N300 from Walmart for $40 or so. Installation was simply plug in, it runs my Roku, netbook, a phone or two all at the same time with no issues. I also have a wireless printer, and it works well with the Belkin unit.
 
Matt_Bloodletter

Matt_Bloodletter

No need to buy anything from the internet provider. Any old wireless router would work well for you - I'd go for a Wireless N router. I'd look for a Netgear, Cisco or Belkin in your price range on Amazon. You can get something for as little as $20 refurb or $30 new. You will likely need to update the firmware on whatever you get. Just follow the instructions. It's fun and it's not rocket science. When you get it, change the name of the router, add WPA2 security and put in a strong password and you'll have pretty darn good security.
 
Kentos

Kentos

B&B's Dr. Doolittle.
Staff member
Apple has the market cornered on getting the computer unsavvy up to speed. It does come at a higher price tho. I have gone through 2 netgears, 1 belkin and 1 dlink. They last a few years and then crap out. They all work well enough, but my next one will be an Apple to see if they last any longer.
 
StillShaving

StillShaving

I assume you already have internet since you have a desktop computer, in which case I would highly recommend going to your favorite local store (bestbuy, walmart, etc) and pick up a 4-port wireless that supports b/g/n. Linksys includes a CD that will walk you through the setup without having any knowledge, or you can access the configuration from any computer through a web browser. Other home routers probably have similar setup wizards.

My expectation is that for $100 you can buy a better product off the shelf than what ATT is offering, or you can spend less to get something that works well enough and pocket the savings. The more expensive routers can be worth it to get faster speeds, better wireless coverage, better quality of service, better firewall, guest network support, etc. But if you just want basic internet connectivity you can spend half what ATT is asking.
 
D

DonN

i've got a motorola "surfboard" cable modem and a Linksys N router - smalltank has provided a link on the thread above that brings you to a router & over on the left you'll see where you can click for modems - i'd go Linksys for both if i were doing it now .
 
Mack The Knife

Mack The Knife

Sure wish they would stop calling hubs, routers.

If its tier two, and uses hexadecimal ID, its not a router (they use tier 3 IP, but you already know that)

For gaming, and security We only used cat 5 hardwire.
 
sbain

sbain

I'd reccomend a Lynksys. They're made by Cisco now, with an easy setup. Pretty user friendly, no weird brand specific terms, so if you have any questions you won't spend hours on google....just a few minutes. Make sure to set up a decent password with whatever you buy! The last thing you want is random people parking in your driveway at 3am using your internet to download child porn...let alone neighbors using your connection and stealing all your bandwidth. It can be something simple but strong like 1234567890abcdef0987654321. You could even go so far as to hide your broadcasted name (ssid) so that you have to know that to connect.
I'm sure you'll find plenty of help here, if not feel free to PM me with any questions :)
[edit]
Looks like you already got a linksys! Great pick bud.
 
B

backinit

I think I paid about $20 for our wireless router from newegg. It's been running constantly for about 4 years now and we run everything through it. The only thing that is "wired" into it is a VOIP adapter. Recently we had to get a desktop computer for my wife's new job so I said screw it and picked up a USB wireless adapter for that as well.

Ours is a trendnet.
 
Toothpick

Toothpick

Needs milk and a bidet!
Looks like you've already found one. I'm sure it will work fine. For gaming, big time movie/video streaming you'd def want a top notch router. for $50 you could get one a lot better than what AT&T offers anyway.

rearviewmirror said:
If you live in an apartment, make sure you name your network 'FBI Surv Van 3108' or 'DEA-WIFI'
Click to expand...
whenever i go someplace new i always like to switch on the wifi on my phone and see the names of wifi in the area. a notable one i can remember is somewhere around my friends house, its called "A1killa" i sometimes turn on the wifi just to see it and crack up. at my old home i named my wifi "comcastsucks".
 
TickTock

TickTock

I love the creative network names--my favorites are the ones to freak out your druggie neighbors "FBI_Surveillance_Van" and the like.
 
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