Recommended Router/Access Point Manufacturers
These are just a few manufacturers of routers/access points that Techpro recommends. I generally find, and personally prefer, the Apple Routers. Apple Routers and Access Points have shown themselves to be the most reliable, in my experience. And they do work VERY well on PC platforms.
Here are links to these popular manufacturer’s of
Routers and Access Points websites.
* indicates Techpro preferred manufacturers.
Buying Tips
When buying a wireless router or access point, you should be aware of a few basics so you can buy with confidence the router that will work best for you.
And, spend the money for better performance every chance you get. In this category, it has a very fast return on investment. Even when the rest of your current equipment is not performing to the new hardware standards, they are backward compatible, so they will still work. And, you'll replace that older, slower hardware soon enough. With these devices the price differences are usually far less than $100.
Many New wired and wireless routers on the market are adding Ethernet ports for access to non-wireless devices. In the past those ports were 10/100 Mbps. Now they are increasing the speed to 10/100/1000 Mbps. Make sure you are getting the fastest you can afford. And also make sure the devices you are connecting to these fast new ports are also 10/100/1000 Mbps compatible.
Wireless routers and access points are currently available in 3 different speeds. And, of course, FASTER is BETTER.
11 Mbps: (802.11b) Coverage generally up to 150 ft. Radio frequency is 2.4 GHz which sometimes has conflicts with other 2.4 GHz devices and is generally a more crowded band.
54 Mbps: (802.11g) Has a lot of the same qualities of 802.11b in terms of coverage and radio coverage. But performance is 5 times faster. Fully compatible with 802.11b devices. Wikipedia.org says,
300 Mbps: (802.11n) [RECOMMENDED PURCHASE] In most situations, I would recommend "N" technology over those performing at 802.11g standards.
"N" technology provides performance nearly 5 times the speed of "G" and nearly 2 times the coverage area that "G" provides. It is backward compatible to "B" and "G". Wikipedia.org says this about "N" performance, "54 Mbps to a maximum of 600 Mbps. Most devices today support a PHY rate of 300 Mbps, with the use of 2 Spatial Streams at 40 MHz. Depending on the environment, this may translate into a user throughput (TCP/IP) of 100 Mbps".
Also, be aware that wireless routers may have ethernet ports for up to 4 computers and those ports can be capable of 10/100 Mbps or 10/100/1000 Mbps.
One Last Note Wireless devices are currently either 2.4GHz or 5GHz, at this time. 2.4GHz has become a very crowded bandwidth. Where as 5GHz, at this time, is far less so.
