Buying a router

[Dunster]

Need a little advice on buying a router. I'm looking for one that is decent quality for a reasonable price. I'm running cable and will be hooking up only two computers. What do you all suggest??? My local computer store has a Ovislink 4 port for $79. Anyone know about that brand?
Thanks!

[Noevo]

I would say for that price range spend an extra $20 and get the Linksys or Netgear. I have heard better things about the Netgear RP114 from people here. But, there are also people here who like the linksys. The netgear seems to be slightly more popular IMHO. IF money is the deciding factor I would say step up to a Nexland ISB SOHO for about $150

as far as the Ovislink 4, I have heard of it before but never anything about it. I would go with a bigger name for a small price difference.

[Dunster]

I also found on pricewatch a D-Link DI-704P print server router for $72 plus $10 shipping and handling. There is also a $20 manufacture mail-in rebate until 3/31/2002. So the total cost after shipping and rebate would be about $62. Is this a better deal?

[Noevo]

sorry, not familiar with the D-Link's. Well, the Linksys and Netgear can probably be had for about $85 including shipping online. Personally I would say stick with Linksys or Netgear vs. D-Link or Ovislink.

Hopefully other people will give ya their opinions too.

[Dakota]

Click on REVIEWS on the menu bar at the top of this page. Also, check out http://www.practicallynetworked.com/ , they also have a nice collection of router reviews there too. For the home user, it's usually the NetGear or LinkSys that's most used.

[burple]

I have a D-Link 704. I haven't had any problems with mine. When I first bought a router, I was looking for the best deal at the time. I got mine at a local store for $59.00 plus tax. I am getting ready to probably get a Nexland due to wanting more speed for gaming on my lan. It depends on what all you plan on doing with your lan. If you just want to share files and internet connection, then something like the D-Link will work fine. I can't say much about the Ovislink, because I haven't heard much on them.

[YeOldeStonecat]

If you want top speed for online gaming, pay a little more and get the Nexland ISB SOHO.

For other use, including gaming, the NetGear routers are the fastest and most stable of all the home market routers I've seen/worked on (which include just about all of them), but not that oddball Ovislink one.

Everyone who's followed the popular suggestion here to get a NetGear has been very happy with them.

Linksys routers are very popular, very easy to use, average performance.

I wouldn't touch any other "home market" routers.

[Dunster]

Anyone know of a site for pricing on the Nexland. I couldn't find it on pricewatch.
The Netgear RP114 looks like it will be $80 plus shipping. Does Netgear make a print server router?

[YeOldeStonecat]

www.nexland.com

As to NetGear making a print server router, dunno, take a poke through their website. I'm not fond on "do it all jack of all trades master of none" devices, such as routers that also do print serving.

[Dunster]

Well, $159 for the Nexland is a little more than I want to spend right now.

Netgear does not make an print server router. The RP114 will be about $80 plus shipping.

So, I guess I'm leaning towards the Netgear RP114. Thanks for all the responses. I'm going to mull it all over.

[YeOldeStonecat]

The NetGear's a good choice, I run our office on the older RT314 model on a 6 meg high speed DSL line, thing flies. Nice 'n stable for hosting servers behind it also.

NetGear makes a print server box, the PS105...I haven't used it, I use HP's print devices for network printing.

The D-Link that you found, if you're needs are average, I'm sure it will do a fine job for you. I'm a bit more demanding, doing routers on larger networks with heavier traffic and needs for hosting servers behind them, so I'm not fond of the smaller "Toys R Us" routers, like DLink, Assante, etc etc. But to be honest with you, you're only sharing to 2 computers, perhaps "gotta have the least ping" online gaming isn't important to you, and it seems a print server is important to you. So look at what your needs are, if they're modest, it opens up a lot more possiblities for you.

[HalfLifer]

Love my Netgear RP114.

2 computers are constantly gaming and browing and downloading and chatting, while 1 runs a server and another chats, browses, email, etc.

Fast and VERY stable.

[Dunster]

That is my plan. Make one of my computers a server. My main computer is a 733 PIII, 384 meg RAM, 20 gig HD, and GF2 Pro. My other computer is Duron 1 gHz, 128 meg RAM, 4 gig HD and a TNT 2. My ideal choice would be to make the Duron my server. BUT, that is the computer I let my kids use. Plus, it has only a 4 gig HD and the cooling fan is LOUD on it. It's nice to shut it down when it's not in use. So, I guess I'll make the PIII my server.

[Alex_Select]

Never have had a problem, I am gaming, downloading and VPN'ing and it has been very reliable!

[zxc47]

If you want the best and the fastest go with the nexland soho If you don't any thing will do

[Dunster]

Too late... Got the Netgear. But, I agree, if I wanted to spend more $$ the SOHO is the way to go.