Netgear RP614 vs. Linksys BEFSR41

[floriflee]

I am starting a new job where I will be working from home (yea!). The company I'll be working for is allowing me to choose between the above mentioned Netgear and Linksys routers. As both are priced roughly the same I have been trying to figure out which is "better." The router will be used for a PC, eventually a Unix machine, and will also feed into an Airport Express. From what I've seen from searching the threads, there have been mixed reviews for each.

Does anyone have any feedback on either or both of these routers, especially anyone who has used both?

 

[GreenDice]

Personally, I think all the routers in the market are about the same. They are cheap (after rebates) and pretty much disposable. I owned several routers of various brand for the past 5 years. I believe they all heat-related deaths. I also know co-workers have had heat problems with their routers. I am using a Netgear WGR614 right now and it also runs hot.

You might want to go with a company with better tech support and custmer services, just in case you have problems. My current router is a replacement after I called Netgear to return a problematic unit (keep rebooting due to heat). I did not have any issue with their tech support or the RMA process.

I am starting a new job where I will be working from home (yea!). The company I'll be working for is allowing me to choose between the above mentioned Netgear and Linksys routers. As both are priced roughly the same I have been trying to figure out which is "better." The router will be used for a PC, eventually a Unix machine, and will also feed into an Airport Express. From what I've seen from searching the threads, there have been mixed reviews for each.

Does anyone have any feedback on either or both of these routers, especially anyone who has used both?

 

[GreenDice]

Check this thread also

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/166255/

 

[plinkoman]

go for the netgear, i had that router for years, and it always worked flawlessly. they only reason i replaced it last week was for some gigabit ports and wireless

 

[nbs2]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/166255/ (link to wireless router)

Problem is that that my wife's company has only listed those two as technically acceptable - So I imagine that if we go with something else we won't be getting reimbursed.

 

[ortuno2k]

I'd say go for the Linksys.
I owned that router for 3+ years, and I still do today, but I've replaced for a wireless Linksys WRT54G since I'm buying a PB.
Never had any problems with Linksys.
Linksys all the way, I say.

 

[balamw]

As the other posters have said these are both extremely old barebones routers. I'm surprised that they don't recommend one of the more advanced ones like the BEFVP41 or even the BEFSX41 which include secure VPN functions.

I used a BEFSR41 V 1.0 for about 3 years in my last home. Now I'm using the router built-in to the Verizon provided Westell DSL modem.

B

 

[hcuar]

I've had poor luck with both... My Airport Extreme Basestation has been flawless.

The Netgear had a problem with not being able to multicast at one time. It was around the release of 10.3.8. It was fixed in 10.3.9. It caused some issues with the music store and Safari. I believe it's all better now.

I've had terrible reliability out of Linksys products. Every Linksys router I've owned has degraded and eventually failed completely.

If you had to choose between the two... I'd say go with Netgear out of the principle of poor service with the Linksys support center. Saying a router is incompatible with Macs just to avoid helping a customer is pathetic. A router is a router.

 

[floriflee]

Thank you all for your input! It looks like the information my company gave me doesn't quite apply to the organization I'll be working in. It turns out that they will be supplying me with a router so I don't need to worry about it. It would have been nice to know before doing all the research and asking for suggestions , but oh, well.

 

[evildead]

my experiance

ive used both netgear and Linksys routers. I like the netgear interface better personaly and how it lets you name computers in the mac filtering feature. but..... mine burned out after 6 months and so did my bosses. Ive read others have had the same problem. I got my mom a linksys 5 years ago and its still working. I replaced my netgar with a compact linksys and its working great.

 

[Seasought]

I've had horrible luck with Linksys routers both at work and at home.

I have never had any problems with Netgear routers.