Router help

[Ace]

I need to buy a router and all the conflicting data, reports and reviews are making my head spin. For every review that sings one brand's or model's praises another proclaims it a dud or too complicated to set up.

I don't need the new N speed and am looking middle of the G road. I don't need anything with a big range (better it doesn't have one as concerns range -- less piggybackers) but rather something with a signal that doesn't chop in or out of degrade. Wireless is preferred to just ethernet unless one's more stable than the other. Belkin, Linkys, D-Link, Netgear seem to be the main options.

I could even get a modem/router that D-Link sells to replace a Verizon DSL modem - but I'm not sure if it's any more stable than just adding a router.

So any suggestions? How do you feel about your own router?

[bsddomi]

I had a D-Link and don't recommend them at all. I never had a Netgear router but I have a Netgear switch that works fine. My choice would be one of the Draytek series, they are more expensive but very reliable. I had mine for several years. I'd always buy a modem/router combo.

[Yuliya]

For a variety of reasons in the last few years we went through a few routers. I askedmy husband, who mostly deals with our home network, but unfortunately, he didn't say anything you don't know yet.

To summarize - all wireless network gear is equally unstable and unreliable. The only way to somewhat increase stability and reliability is to make sure all the hardware (router, switch, wireless card...) is by the same manufacturer. They work better together. All of the above refers to wireless only; "landlines" work fine.

[Ace]

Thanks for your advice. I actually bit the bullet and bought one last night.

I decided to go with the reliability of wired, especially since I don't really need wireless in my apt -- it's not that big and I'd rather have the hassle of another cable than what comes with wireless. And of all things, I bought the D-Link since this model had good reviews. (and it had a rebate which made it $20 - so what the heck)