Wireless Networking → Re: Which router would you choose?

i have spent more time than I wanted to to add a g router to my LAN. I have the following advice:

1) Technical support is crucial. If you read the boards, you will find totally divergent experiences with most manufacter's products. I take this to mean ther are a lot of "buggy" products out there. You may be lucky and get a unit that works right out of the box, but you will likely need some assistance.
Based on personal experience, and these boards: Linksys tech support poor with difficult to understand techs, poor FAQ web site and a lot of hassels. I haven't used Belkins tech support but their web site FAQ and the manual are much better. i was unable to get their router to work after three hours of trying, however. Read the Belkin board to see what people using the products think about the live support. D-Link and NEtgear seem to be less sucessful than the other three companies.

Based on two weeks of personal experience, Buffalo is the tops. Just like the boards say (you have to search "buffalo" on the other manufactuers or here) the support is first rate:
1) US (Austin Texas ) based
2) knowledgable, friendly and willing to venture opinion sabout your network even if it has other manufactuer's poducts on it. I cannot say enough positive things about their assistance.
As a negative, the manuals and instructions are less than self-explanatory, and take a lot of thinking through.

2) Decide exactly what your priorities are before you buy the equipment...Area covered? stregnth of signal? Router bells and whistles ( VPN, games.. etc) Level of security?

It is probably fair to say that each of the major companies is a little stronger in some area than others. BE vary careful to read all of the reviews and stats you can to determine if the router can do exactly what you want.

3) check on your DSL or cable board to ensure there are not a lot of complaints or problems with your choice and your broadband operator.

4) for the most part, do not let price sway you into a rash decision. Saving 15 or 20 bucks on the hot deal at CompUSA will seem meaningless if you spend three or foour nights on the phone with some person who blames the issue on WXP, your broadband or your mothers hair color. Your time, while free to you, is worth something.

5)Spend enough time to make the right decision.. and look for sales. You can find almost every system cheaper if you wait a week or two and look around. Good luck

Buffalo tech support is 24/7, friendly staff, its basically a call centre but do have some labs for basic testing . Certainly a cut above the others. One of the other better 'free' tech supports IMHO is
ZyXEL tech support is M-F 8-5 out of Anaheim CA, they have full engineering facilities available to assist and are responsive.

Not sure about Belkin but it would be good to get feedback from belkin users as to their experience with Belkin tech support. Concur that the rest just plain suck!