Recommendations for modem/router (with wired gigabit)

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Recommendations for modem/router (with wired gigabit)

jonathan18

7413 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#112154 28-Nov-2012 09:01

jonathan18

7413 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#724004 28-Nov-2012 09:20

Apologies for the empty post - I'm unable to delete or edit it for some reason.

Anyway, my current modem/router is not playing nicely - first it was just not working properly with a new router (set up essentially as a switch, used solely to provide gigabit ethernet) and more recently providing no internet access, despite the ADSL and IP lights occasionally going green.

I therefore need to replace it; I'm somewhat scared that I'll still have problems with trying to get a replacement modem/router to play nicely with the new router, so thought the safest thing is to go with a one-box solution, of a modem/router with gigabit ethernet ports (and sell the newish router).

Now, via Pricespy I've only managed to find three such units, and only one of these is in my price bracket (around $200sh) - the Asus DSL-N55U.

I'm not totally trusting that this is really all that's out there - can anyone advise me of any other wireless modem/routers with gigabit ethernet at around the $200 mark?

Some quick answers would be fantastic - I'm not coping too well without internet at home!

Many thanks
Jonathan

trig42

5810 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#724014 28-Nov-2012 09:58

http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers/networking/cisco/linksys-x3000-n300-w-l-aio-modem-router-sku-28999/

I usually stay away from the cheaper Linksys, but these ones look OK.

Llory

25 posts

Geek

#728073 6-Dec-2012 14:15

Did you find one, in the end

jonathan18

7413 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#728411 7-Dec-2012 10:24

Llory: Did you find one, in the end

Yep, I bought a Netgear DGND3700 - got it for $223 (including shipping) from PB Tech.

I'd read some positive reviews of it (eg http://www.pcauthority.com.au/Review/289486,netgear-dgnd3700-n600-why-it-won-our-latest-wireless-router-test.aspx).

Also, I'd bought a Negear ReadyNAS Duo II a few months back, and found their help desk really helpful.

Thus far I'm a little underwhelmed by the strength of the wireless; I'm getting a weaker signal in the other end of the house than I did under my old Asus G router - though this could be because the room with the modem/router is incredibly full of boxes and a new lounge suite, which is all the equipment etc for the damn HT which isn't built yet... Could this be causing a weaker signal?

That said, it's been reliable - so it wasn't TC and it was the original Asuss router that was buggered...

I'm holding on to the spare gigabit wireless router at the moment, just in case I need to use it as a way of extending the wireless network - it could replace the switch in the lounge...

The other thing I've discovered since is that my current gen i7 Dell laptop only has a 10/100 network card. nor a dual band wireless card - so it's never going to get the big advantages of the new router. Even my old Core Duo Mac Mini has gigabit networking (and it works well); is there anything affordable I can do to speed up transfer -either wired or wirelessly - from the laptop?

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
8476 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#728427 7-Dec-2012 10:51

I've seen tiny USB N-wifi adapters (i.e. only sticking out 3mm or so). Could be the ticket for your Dell.

Llory

25 posts

Geek

#728443 7-Dec-2012 11:23

jonathan18:
Llory: Did you find one, in the end

Yep, I bought a Netgear DGND3700 - got it for $223 (including shipping) from PB Tech.

I'd read some positive reviews of it (eg http://www.pcauthority.com.au/Review/289486,netgear-dgnd3700-n600-why-it-won-our-latest-wireless-router-test.aspx).

Also, I'd bought a Negear ReadyNAS Duo II a few months back, and found their help desk really helpful.

Thus far I'm a little underwhelmed by the strength of the wireless; I'm getting a weaker signal in the other end of the house than I did under my old Asus G router - though this could be because the room with the modem/router is incredibly full of boxes and a new lounge suite, which is all the equipment etc for the damn HT which isn't built yet... Could this be causing a weaker signal?

That said, it's been reliable - so it wasn't TC and it was the original Asuss router that was buggered...

I'm holding on to the spare gigabit wireless router at the moment, just in case I need to use it as a way of extending the wireless network - it could replace the switch in the lounge...

The other thing I've discovered since is that my current gen i7 Dell laptop only has a 10/100 network card. nor a dual band wireless card - so it's never going to get the big advantages of the new router. Even my old Core Duo Mac Mini has gigabit networking (and it works well); is there anything affordable I can do to speed up transfer -either wired or wirelessly - from the laptop?

Just had a quick look at pb-tech and I would say go for this one, I use it in the office alot for testing our wireless,
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=NETTPL3200&name=TP-Link-TL-WDN3200-N600-Wireless-Dual-Band-USB-Ada ,

As for your Wireless being weak at the end of the house, there are alot of factor can come into when dealing with wireless. Distance, other freq, objects, walls etc.

Check if all devices using your WiFi is N capable, Most residential routers tend to downgrade speed if one wifi Client is not N capable,(54meg). If you get the TP-Link USB Dongle, use 5ghz and see if this will improve your signal should give you greater distance and should sync at 300mbs..

dolsen

1476 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#728454 7-Dec-2012 11:40

Don't know if you have a expresscard slot. If you do, you could get a gigabit adapter for it.
Otherwise, you could look at replacing the minipci card in your laptop to support dualband / 5ghz. Not sure what internal aerials you have on your laptop.
If you're not keen, you could look at the other suggestions given so far.