Opinions on wireless router & notebook card (Linksys & D-Link)

[Cosmos75]

Am planning on buying a wireless router and wire notebook card. In no particular order, here are the two combinations that I am thinking of getting:

Linksys
Linksys SpeedBooster 802.11g Wireless Broadband Router (Model: WRT54GS (http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1148435315453&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=1545339789B12))
Linksys SpeedBooster 802.11g Wireless Notebook Card (Model: WPC54GS (http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1115416827132&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=2713215453B01))

D-Link
D-Link RangeBooster N Wireless-N Router (Model: DIR-625 (http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=1&pid=501))
D-Link Platinum RangeBooster N Wireless-N Notebook Card (Model: DWA-642 (http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=1&pid=503))

Any opinions? Or suggestions on others that might fit the bill?
:confused:

[Cosmos75]

Been reading more about it, and it seems that the D-Link router is a new draft 802.11n standard router that is also backwards compatible with 802.11g and 802.11b devices. Anandtech.com has a review of the D-Link router here (http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=2836). Also found a blog entry about the D-Link router (http://www.greghughes.net/rant/DLinkDIR625RangeBoosterWirelessRouter.aspx).

Found a PC Mag review of the Linksys router here (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1649775,00.asp), but it was written in 2004!!

User reviews aren't terrible helpful since there are both complaints and praises. And people are more likely to review a product that they have problems with.

The D-Link router may be compatible with the final 802.11n standard which is supposed to be out this year, which is something in its favor. I am a little wary of a router built on a draft standard, even if it is backwards compatible with the current standards but the fact that it could be better once they finalize the standard and if it will be compatible then I could get better performance. I also think that the D-Link router has more functionality but since I am not very well versed in this kinda thing, I could very well be wrong.

In the end, it probably doesn't matter what standard I use as all I really want is to network my personal and work computer, while allowing my wife to use her laptop with a wireless card.

[PrntRhd]

What works for you depends on personal preference and the application you want to use it for. (Gaming/File sharing/Internet access) Linksys & Netgear are my usual recommendations.
You should not need to use "draft-N" equipment since the standards have been finalized, but the new N-compliant equipment might not have cleared the supply pipeline.
From a security standpoint NAT routers with SPI (packet inspection) will go a long way to protect your home network from many issues.

Whatever router you choose, secure the wireless, use your own naming for the router, change the default password for Admin to a hard one to break, and use WPA-Pre K encryption.

[Cosmos75]

PrntRhd,

Thanks for your reply!

I will definitely change the network ID, Admin ID and password. Don't really know much about all the rest - SPI and so on. So, I will probably find myself back here once I make a choice if the setup is too far above my own head and I need help after trying on my own.
:D

Both routers and laptop cards are almost the same price, only $10 difference @ Best Buy. So I am torn between spending a little bit more for something that MAY be compatible with the final 802.11n standard or something that might be a little more proven since its been around longer.

One thing that I am confused about is whether or not the D-Link router supports WEP. D-Link's website says it does but Anandtech's review says it doesn't. The manual I downloaded off of D-Link's website shows how to use WEP. But when I log into the the DIR-625 emulator, the security screen is different and doesn't show WEP as an option, only WPA, which might be a good thing!
:confused:

I'm not one to spend money to upgrade to the latest and greatest. Usually stick with something until it doesn't work or it can't do what I need it so.

[PrntRhd]

SPI is "Stateful Packet Inspection" which a router either is equipped with or not, it does not get added later.

WEP is better than nothing, but WPA is much better. (A linux laptop with a sniffer program has been demonstrated to break WEP in 10 minutes)

[Cosmos75]

PrntRhd,

Once again, I thank you for your reply. Looks like I'm covered for security with either router.

Looks like I don't really need the draft-n standard router. The only thing that the D-Link router has that the Linksys router doesn't is a QoS engine, which I understand to be helpful to gamers.

My personal computer and work computer will be connected via cables. I'll be online gaming on my personal computer but only a laptop will connected wirelessly. But I'm not a HUGE gamer (only play 1 online game) so I may not need a QoS engine. At least until I start lagging during my gaming!