need advice on new router

[twoodcc]

my old router just died (i had 3 computers on it, and the lights just went out on it, and now no matter where i plug it in, no lights, nothing).

so now i need to get a new one. i have 2 macs and a pc. i network them all together. i don't need wireless, but it's not too expensive, it wouldn't hurt since one of my macs is a powerbook.

so basically what's the cheapest that will do what i want it to do. -> share files and internet

what about this : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833124047
but it does say "windows xp required" or something though

thanks in advance

 

[grapes911]

I haven't used the WRT54GC, but IMO the Linksys WRT54GL is best router on the market. The WRT54G is pretty good too.

 

[twoodcc]

I haven't used the WRT54GC, but IMO the Linksys WRT54GL is best router on the market. The WRT54G is pretty good too.

thanks. so even though it says you need windows, it'll still work fine and all with my macs?

 

[grapes911]

thanks. so even though it says you need windows, it'll still work fine and all with my macs?

The routing part should work fine. I'm not even sure way they say windows is a requirement. Maybe it has some feature I don't know about. I know this one works with Macs though:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833124010

 

[iPhil]

I haven't used the WRT54GC, but IMO the Linksys WRT54GL is best router on the market. The WRT54G is pretty good too.

Linksys routers have been good with pc/macs., the Macs should auto detect the connection into the router, on the PB if doesn't detect the wifi signal then use Airport setup assistant to connect thru wifi.. The pc should use the supplied software to control the router etc. setup should be easy since you already got one installed just re-plug all the connections as before..

 

[twoodcc]

thanks for the replies. i guess i'll get either one of those.

 

[therevolution]

Another recommendation for the WRT54G - mine's been good to me so far. They definitely work with Macs. There's a CD in the box you can use to setup the router in a somewhat more user-friendly way, but it only works for Windows, so that's probably why you're seeing a Windows requirement. You don't need the CD, though. You can set it up through its web interface instead - the manual tells you how to do it that way too.

I also love that you can install third-party firmware on the WRT54G. DD-WRT is awesome. You're not able to do this with the very latest version of the WRT54G, though. If you do happen to get a WRT54G, and you get it in person, I suggest that you avoid getting one with a serial number that starts with "CDFB" (the serial is on the box) as those are the ones you can't install the firmware on. You may not care about third-party firmware now, but it doesn't hurt to have that option later.

 

[grapes911]

Another recommendation for the WRT54G - mine's been good to me so far. They definitely work with Macs. There's a CD in the box you can use to setup the router in a somewhat more user-friendly way, but it only works for Windows, so that's probably why you're seeing a Windows requirement. You don't need the CD, though. You can set it up through its web interface instead - the manual tells you how to do it that way too.

I also love that you can install third-party firmware on the WRT54G. DD-WRT is awesome. You're not able to do this with the very latest version of the WRT54G, though. If you do happen to get a WRT54G, and you get it in person, I suggest that you avoid getting one with a serial number that starts with "CDFB" (the serial is on the box) as those are the ones you can't install the firmware on. You may not care about third-party firmware now, but it doesn't hurt to have that option later.

3rd party firmware no longer works on the WRT54G. The new versions of it must use the Linksys firmware. The new WRT54GL is new version of the old WRT54G and can use the 3rd party firmware. Does that make sense?

 

[ShadyMac]

I haven't used the WRT54GC, but IMO the Linksys WRT54GL is best router on the market. The WRT54G is pretty good too.

I second the WRT54G.

 

[Laser47]

I have the Linksys WRT54G version 5. It sucks really badly. I would only reccomend the WRT54GL or a WRT54G with a version less than 5.
Also you dont need windows for linksys routers, the only reason they ask for one is to use their setup disk. I found it easier though to just use the web interface to configure it.

 

[balamw]

I have the Linksys WRT54G version 5. It sucks really badly. I would only reccomend the WRT54GL or a WRT54G with a version less than 5.
Also you dont need windows for linksys routers, the only reason they ask for one is to use their setup disk. I found it easier though to just use the web interface to configure it.

I too recommed the WRT54G V4 or less or WRT54GL, though I have yet to get OPEN-WRT fully configured for the application I bought it for (client mode to provide centralized access for my living room devices since the builder didn't install Cat5 or even phone lines to the entertainment center). BTW http://www.linksysinfo.org is a great resource for these devices.

Note also that if you can find one, V1-V3 of the WRT54GS have double the RAM (32MB) of all their WRT54G counterparts and thus were a bit more room for custom apps.

B

 

[Macky-Mac]

my experience with linksys is that while their routers will work with Macs, they don't support them for Mac, which means no Mac specific documentation for set-up is included in the box and if you call for tech support they'll say they don't support Macs and you're on your own

 

[grapes911]

my experience with linksys is that while their routers will work with Macs, they don't support them for Mac, which means no Mac specific documentation for set-up is included in the box and if you call for tech support they'll say they don't support Macs and you're on your own

Being that you configure them via a webpage, what Mac specific documentation do you want?

 

[alexstein]

My old D-Link DI-624 crapped out on me after 13 Months of usage. I went out and purchased a NETGEAR Range Max Wireless Router at CompUSA. (Item was on sale and had a mail-in Rebate). It's been working flawlessly so far.

 

[Macky-Mac]

Being that you configure them via a webpage, what Mac specific documentation do you want?

i was pointing out that they don't give you any information that's Mac specific.......whether the user needs that information or not would depend on how experienced the individual user happens to be.......an expert such as yourself may not need that info but less experienced users might wish to have some simple Mac specific start-up information to guide them

 

[twoodcc]

so it seems that the one i picked is a good one. at least according to some of ya'lls responses. i will highly consider getting this one

thanks

 

[ortuno2k]

I'm in the market for a new router since I'm getting a laptop soon, and I've considered the Linksys WRT54G and Apple's Airport Express to add to my current Linksys wired-router.
I have chosen the WRT54G and will purchase soon. If you do get one, try to get one with a version less than 5. I believe the serial number at the bottom reads "CDFA......"
I found this out in Amazon, so I'm not sure if that is very accurate.
Other than that, very nice router, and of course it's a Linksys. My current Linksys router works fine with my PCs and my iMac.

 

[grapes911]

I have chosen the WRT54G and will purchase soon. If you do get one, try to get one with a version less than 5. I believe the serial number at the bottom reads "CDFA......"

Or just get the WRT54GL as stated above.

 

[Apple]

I have a WRT54G and the thing I love about it is that it is compatible with the Airport Express

 

[twoodcc]

thanks for the tips. i'll keep them in mind. i probably will get one later this month hopefully