Looking for wireless router under $100

[toyopl]

I'm looking for a router under $100, ideal price would be $60-70 but I can pay full houndred if that means getting major upgrade or something that shouldn't be passed.

I have 2 laptops, one with N card and one with G card. The N is always connected to the modem as it's my desktop replacement, ocassionally I will use wireless.
The G is always on wireless and it's my gf's laptop, she doesn't do any heavy tasks, light browsing, youtube, video streaming.
I pay extra for faster internet at 30mb/s for gaming and downloading. So I would like to still keep that speed when connected to the router via cable with the N laptop.
There's too many routers and too many options

 

[philpoe]

If the N laptop is always connected via an ethernet cable to the router, then speed is determined by the wired port, not the wireless radio. In theory, 100Mb/sec ports will be fine if the ISP is providing 30Mb/sec. Some would argue for gigabit ethernet. Many ISPs only ship devices with 10/100 ports. You may want to check your device to be sure. If it's 10/100, a gigabit router won't help your internet speeds.

If the wireless speed for the N laptop isn't important, then you only need a G router. The N laptop will work as a G device when the cable is disconnected.

This solution is very inexpensive, with many, many options below $50 or even $30, especially if you don't mind refurbished devices. People who have switched away from a VOIP carrier like Vonage probably have a wireless G router with an internal switch collecting dust in a closet. Others who have upgraded to N routers probably have their G or draft-N router w/switch collecting dust in a closet as well.

If the wireless speed for the N laptop _is_ important (it didn't sound like it), and you want to get as much speed as possible over wireless, then you need a solution that serves the N laptop separately from the G laptop, otherwise for the G laptop to work at the same time, the N laptop will have to play nice and operate in G mode, slowing it down. That means using 2 separate radios. The G radio will work in the 2.4GHz range, and the N radio can work in the 2.4GHz (more devices around that may cause interference) or 5GHz (higher potential speeds, less conflicting devices) range. If you want 1 router to serve both laptops and get max speeds, you'll need simultaneous dual-band support. I'm not sure you can meet your ideal price point without accepting refurbished equipment, but it may be possible.

I can't make a recommendation since I don't own anything yet, but Netgear, Linksys and D-Link all have popular, suitable models

I'm looking for a router under $100, ideal price would be $60-70 but I can pay full houndred if that means getting major upgrade or something that shouldn't be passed.

I have 2 laptops, one with N card and one with G card. The N is always connected to the modem as it's my desktop replacement, ocassionally I will use wireless.
The G is always on wireless and it's my gf's laptop, she doesn't do any heavy tasks, light browsing, youtube, video streaming.
I pay extra for faster internet at 30mb/s for gaming and downloading. So I would like to still keep that speed when connected to the router via cable with the N laptop.
There's too many routers and too many options

 

[stevech]

Suggest Belkin or Linksys.
Under $75.

 

[toyopl]

I'm guessing I'd rather get something better just in case...

Is this a good router ? Linksys E2000 for Canada that's very good price on it.
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=55436&vpn=E2000-CA&manufacture=Linksys&promoid=1026

 

[philpoe]

That one looks like it's 2.4GHz or 5GHz, but you'll need to run it at 2.4GHz to support the G laptop. In that case, when the N laptop is not wired, it will act as a G device since the G laptop will force that behavior.

The E2000 looks like a fine device, but you can get a 10/100 switched 2.4GHz G router solution for cheaper at the same site (many below $40):
http://www.ncix.com/products/?minorcatid=1051&po=0&ps=2

If the total bandwidth need is in the range of 30Mb/s (your internet feed), and the N wireless performance is not a priority since it's usually wired, and if the N laptops wireless performance is "good enough" in G mode, it appears that almost any current G routers can serve your needs (looking at the router charts on this site for total bandwidth). I'd check a few sites for reviews, and potentially save some money.

It's about another $80-$100 from there to get a simultaneous dual-band router that supports both the N and G laptops at their respective peak speeds at the same time.

I'm guessing I'd rather get something better just in case...

Is this a good router ? Linksys E2000 for Canada that's very good price on it.
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=55436&vpn=E2000-CA&manufacture=Linksys&promoid=1026

 

[stevech]

In general, IMO, people are over-spending on WiFi routers, buying capability not needed or that is incompatible with client PCs/laptops.

 

[keenanj]

for high speeds the 802.11n esr9850 is a very good router for under $70 it has gigabit switchports.

http://www.keenansystems.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_31&products_id=305

for even longer range the under $30 200mW esr-1221 ext is a great router and is still faster than most Internet connections.

http://www.keenansystems.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_31&products_id=272