Which Wireless Router Is Best?

Wireless routers are manufactured by many tech firms and are available in a wide range of prices. The best wireless router depends in part on the user's equipMent.

For Macs and Apple equipMent, most reviewers recomMend Apple Airport Extreme. The router supports external hard drives but it also supports print sharing which most routers do not. Airport has excellent range and coverage and is known for its reliability. It may not support PCs with Windows operating systems as well as other routers, but it performs well with Mac/mixed networks.

For older PCs and equipMent, the Linksys WRTG54GL is an inexpensive router with great performance. It is simple to set up, reliable and easy to hack. Although it lacks the speed of newer routers, it doesn't require users to upgrade their equipment to wireless-N. Wireless-N technology is needed for streaming video and it offers better range and speed. At about Dollars, this router is rated the best value.

The Linksys WRT400N is the best wireless router in the mid price range. It has easy set up procedure, good speed and range and simultaneous dual-band. It does not have Gigabit Ethernet or USB hard drive sharing. It is about less than the top rated Linksys WRT610N and reviewers like the features and reliability of the 400N combined with the mid range price.

The top rated wireless router is the Linksys WRT610N. Like Apple Airport Extreme, it is compatible with Windows and Mac although Mac users prefer Airport and Windows users prefer the 610N. The Linksys 610N doesn't have printing sharing and guest networking features like airport but it does have 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports. It has simultaneous dual-band, dual-radio Wireless-N technology and allows wireless hard drive sharing. It is priced at about 5.

Both Apple Airport Extreme and Linksys WRT610N are rated as the best wireless router in different publications and the determining factor for first or second place seems to be whether the reviewer is a Mac or a PC user. If you are looking for the best wireless router, both the Apple Airport and the Linksys 610N are excellent choices. They were consistently rated as the top two routers in reviews by users on Amazon.com and Newegg.com. The question is "Are you a Mac or a PC?"

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