Need purchase advice from RFD Wireless Experts. Re: Linksys vs D-Link

[dashit]

Dear Wireless Expert,

Please advise me on a suitable wireless router for my family. I need it to be cheap, able to surf, download a lot of crap, share files, strong wireless signal to go from upstairs to basement, 4 ports, and at least 80211G.

My final choices are:

Dlink DI-624 (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dept=20001&sku_id=0926INGFS10030147&catid=21119&newdeptid=21099) $50 AR
Linksys WRT54G-CA (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dept=20001&sku_id=0926INGFS10025695&catid=21119&newdeptid=21099) also $50 AR

Some say linksys has better menu option/interface, others say dlink has better options in extending the wireless range. In general, most prefer linksys. But I went to TD store in markham, and they dont even carry the linksys. Dlink seems like the underdog, but its the brand that most salesppl and stores push.

So, fellow RFDers, which pill would you choose? Or pick something else different altogether?

[felix]

The D-Link DI-524 AirPlus G 2.4GHz Wireless Router is only $30 after rebate at FutureShop. Not sure the difference though or if it's really wireless G.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10045827&catid=19994&logon=&langid=EN&dept=18

[Gee]

If you want to extend the range. Linksys is a better choice. D-Link is just advertised more in Canada, because their North American office is located in Oakville.

Here is a list of extenders for Linksys

http://www.linksys.com/products/group.asp?grid=33&scid=38

The reason I say Linksys is better for extension is because the Antennaes on the Linksys can be removed. All the D-Link ones I have seen have fixed antannaes. So you have to use their extenders.

There are also third party accessories for Linksys. A company called Buffalo makes a really good ones and they claim it will extend the range to 1.9 miles or 3.1 Kms.

http://www.buffalotech.com/products/product-detail.php?productid=39&categoryid=8

They have adapters for the Linksys line of routers and access points.

Best of all. The Linksys G routers can be hacked and you can install Linux based firmware.

[Ojam]

If you want to extend the range. Linksys is a better choice. D-Link is just advertised more in Canada, because their North American office is located in Oakville.

Here is a list of extenders for Linksys

http://www.linksys.com/products/group.asp?grid=33&scid=38

The reason I say Linksys is better for extension is because the Antennaes on the Linksys can be removed. All the D-Link ones I have seen have fixed antannaes. So you have to use their extenders.

There are also third party accessories for Linksys. A company called Buffalo makes a really good ones and they claim it will extend the range to 1.9 miles or 3.1 Kms.

http://www.buffalotech.com/products/product-detail.php?productid=39&categoryid=8

They have adapters for the Linksys line of routers and access points.

Best of all. The Linksys G routers can be hacked and you can install Linux based firmware.

I have a buffalo WBR2-G54 and can vouch for its quality, it has worked great since day one, no drop offs, and was very easy to setup.

[a2vr6]

I have Dlink running my home wireless/wired network at home and it seems to work great. The laptop pcmcia card has excellent range (90%+ from the basement....the router is on the second floor). I highly recommend it...