Wireless Router -- need a new one -- help, Please, Pretty Please...

Yes you can buy any router but if it's not for you I wonder if it's worth it. N is getting long in the tooth these days but should be fine without spending too much cash. Your guests should be grateful for what you offered free without complaining about download speeds imho.
There are faster ones with dual channel function, but really - don't waste time with these unless you need them for yourself.

 

Research wifi range too. We've got a main router about 5 years old now, and of course I've placed it way off at one end wall of the house. Not that bad, but reception can start to falter at the other extreme of the house. Our moved-back-home son has a router upstairs that seems to have stronger wifi output, my phone always jumps to that one, hee hee.

We're a mix of hard-wired cables and wifi usage, our Apple TV for example I've hardwired, better for Netflix. But it seems like more and more devices need wifi, I use it for getting movies to the tv (via apple tv) with Air Video on my iPhone, for example.

 

You could always get a wifi extender and keep the router where you want it.

We picked up a net gear one on Amazon that works well. The router stays in the wife's office and we plugged the extender into an outlet upstairs. Pretty slick and cuts down on data usage.

 

Share wifi through your windows 10 computer. Cost = nothing.
How to Turn Your Windows PC Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot

 

Personally, I think that the router from Staples is overkill.

Either one of these Asus routers will do the trick for a lot less money:


ASUS RT-N12/D1 Wireless N300 Router RT-N12/D1 - Micro Center


or a little more power for a bit more money


ASUS RT-AC1200 Dual Band 802.11ac Wireless Router RT-AC1200 - Micro Center

 

I went with a WiFi access point on my ethernet network. Access points are typically cheaper than routers and can be placed more centrally in the coverage area as long as a network jack is available.

 

Let me suggest doing a Google search for "cable modem <city>" and giving them a call next week. Ask them their monthly rate for just internet service and 'can provide your own cable modem.' Let them know what you currently have.

There has been a sea change in network access to the home ... not universal ... but pretty wide spread. If 30 megabits per second or higher, you can also replace cable TV. Then there is the ultimate.

Contact T-mobile and ask if they have high-speed, digital available in your area. The reason is a T-mobil hotspot can provide very nice Internet access for less than carrier DSL.

You have options and a few phone calls can figure it out. If still confuse, contact me via 'conversation' with your home address and I'll take a peek.

Bob Wilson

 

I am pleased with this one
Netis WF2780

 

comcast told me i needed a new router to take advantage of all the improvements they had made. so i upgraded to their specs. nothing changed.
then they sent a letter saying they had made more improvements and i needed to shut everything down, unplug and reboot. so i did. nothing changed.
then a service gal was here for something, and i asked her why the speed wasn't improving. she asked what i was doing, downloading movies? gaming? i said no, just 'priuschat'. she wait, 'that's your problem'.

 

What Bob said.
These days your internet provider should also provide a working wireless access point.
If you're off contract and you have more than one provider then you can tell them that you want to start seeing other people, and they'll usually toss you one of the premium router/modem combos for "free" that they charge customers for.

If you have to buy a router, and speed and range are not critical issues then any router will do.
If you regularly have guests that have Publisher Clearinghouse Sweepstakes mail-outs rattling around in their car then you may want to do some research about router security.
The Most Important Security Settings to Change on Your Router
How to secure your router and home network | PCWorld

The router is the front door to all of the internet devices in your home, and most of us have paper-thin interior doors that are unlocked.
If you and hubby just do light browsing and none of you visit some of the seedier neighborhoods in the interwebs, then you're still vulnerable (everybody is) but you're lost in the herd, and statistics are your friend.

Remember also that range works both ways.
You want to know how many wireless routers are really secure?
Right.
NONE OF THEM.
20 Popular Wireless Hacking Tools [updated for 2016]
Top Wi-Fi routers easy to hack, says study - CNET

When I lived in the country this wasn't an issue obviously, since anybody wishing to do a little dumpster-diving on my internet connection was within rifle range.... but in the big city??? ...... My options are more limited.
Still....I use cheap routers and lock them down as best I can, but I'm a "leave the front door unlocked" kinda guy.
You can get one for 35 bucks at WalMart or use an old computer as mentioned above.
If you're a kill-a-watter just remember that the old computer will use much more electricity when it's running than a single purpose router.

Good Luck!

 

T-mobile area?

Bob Wilson

 

I stand by my Asus recommendation. In fact, given your situation, I think an even more powerful router (RT-ACRH13) would be good for your situation, since it has a USB 3.0 port that will let you hook up your own digital storage.

Good

RT-AC1200 | Networking | ASUS USA

ASUS RT-1200 AC1200 Wireless Dual-Band Router RT-AC1200 B&H

Better

RT-ACRH13 | Networking | ASUS USA

ASUS RT-1200 AC1200 Wireless Dual-Band Router RT-AC1200 B&H