My linksys router is dying and I need advise on a new one.

[sadrobot]

First off this is my router

As stated it seems that my router is dying. (not to surprised it is about 4-5 years old and to be honest I haven't been taking very good care of it) Regretably I never really learned much networking (always prefered hardware and thats why I got my A+ instead of cisco or anything else) But when I went to my local Fry's all they were selling is 802.11g. Now all I know in the difference between a,b,g, or even ag is speed

My question is if anyone can recomend a new wireless/wired (we have 2 computers using wired and a wireless laptop) router. Linksys is the top of line brand from what I know and see (in prices) but also I was looking at Netgear and D-link which were noticably cheaper.

Also would anything have to be changed to use a G router instead? On a side note what is the advantage to a G over B?

 

[mikesgroovin]

Let me answer your questions in reverse.

If you have a 802.11b or 802.11g card you will be able to get a 802.11b or 802.11g router....doesn't matter. They both work off of 2.4GHz so the frequency doesn't change. Only the maximum speed. I only recommend getting a G card if you are getting a G router because I'm picky like that. But a G router will be backwards compatable with a B card (at a max of 11mbps of course). A G card with a G router will grant a max up to 54mbps (unless you get a "SuperG" or "DoubleG" card/router that claim up to 108mbps). At any rate, my personal recommendation would be the following because I really like the fixes they made in v5:

LINKSYS WRT54GL

LINKSYS WMP54G

 

[sadrobot]

Alright thanks. I will look around locally to see what places sell that pair.