Wireless Router Advice

lisae03

Hi,

I need to buy a Wireless router for my brother so he can access the net around the house on his laptop. However my OH has just pointed out that the router needs run of the a pc the operate in the first place. He only has a laptop so does it run of a Pc or not? I'm not sure he knows what he's talking about but thought before I spend his hard earned cash that I sould check for sure?

Also can anyone receommend a good router that is easy to set up? I was thinking of a netgear one. I don't want to be paying more than £40.

Thanks

Lisa

dehaani

lisae03 wrote: »

However my OH has just pointed out that the router needs run of the a pc the operate in the first place. He only has a laptop so does it run of a Pc or not?

A laptop is a PC (unless it's a mac, then it's debatable)

Anyway. You do not require a PC, the router is independent. It may need configured first with the PC (or laptop ) but then it just takes care of itself.

Nobody can recommend a router without knowing if it's a Virgin or BT connection. I'd say Netgear products are usually a good choice anyway.

lisae03

Wow that was quick thanks!

They have Bt line.

dehaani

As I said, I'd generally go with Netgear. I have a DG834PN, have had DG834GT and DG834G in the past.

Any other makes I've had didn't sync as fast and/or lacked features or stability.

BTW, you need a modem/router combined like the ones I mentioned. A standalone router is generally just for Virgin connections.

JasX

the best (value) wireless routers are ones you get for free from your ISP -always worth asking.

Your OH is talking rubbish, routers are perfectly capable of sitting in the corner of the room once setup (initially via a laptop or PC) with nothing else turned on happily networking any laptops, pc's mobile phones etc that happen to wander into range.

you need to be sure which type you need:

if you have internet available through an existing non-wireless modem either ADSL type (phone line) or Cable (virgin media type) modem then you just need a plain router that will take the internet via an ethernet cable and wirelessly distribute it.

if get your internet down the phone line and want to plug your phoneline into your new device you need a slightly more expensive combined "router and ADSL modem" often sold as "ADSL router"s.

i think you can get a combined device if you get your internet via a virgin media type cable company but these are different again.

dehaani

JasX wrote: »

if you have internet available through an existing non-wireless modem/router either ADSL type (phone line) or Cable (virgin type) modem then you just need a plain router that will take the internet via an ethernet cable and wirelessly distribute it.

Most ADSL providers do not supply an ethernet modem (they're usually USB). You would normally need a modem/router for ADSL.

JasX wrote: »

if get your internet down the phone line and want to plug your phoneline into your new device you need a slightly more expensive combined "router and ADSL modem" often sold as "ADSL router"s.

Yep, so why did the above contradict this?

lisae03

I think what I'm gonna do is ring my provider (virgin) as my contract is nearly up and ask them for a free wireless router with my Xl package. I can then give my brother my netgear one I currently use. Failing that I think I'll just buy this http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/351016/NETGEAR-54G-WIRELESS-CABLE-ROUTER?cm_sp=FeatureEnd-_--_-position

JasX

dehaani wrote: »

Most ADSL providers do not supply an ethernet modem (they're usually USB). You would normally need a modem/router for ADSL.

News to me, I've only ever had wireless ADSL or non-wireless ADSL routers supplied free from an ISP.

Anyways if OP has worked out they need the second type I indicated could consider one of these from ebuyer for around £30 and include wireless N capability (latest/fastest standard)

I have no direct experience of the brand but they seem to be getting good user reviews.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/165245
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/155638

or they could switch ISP to one that gives them a free woreless router (eg O2) and claim some cashback from a cashback site at the same time

Marty_J

dehaani wrote: »

Most ADSL providers do not supply an ethernet modem (they're usually USB). You would normally need a modem/router for ADSL.

Maybe ten years ago; the major ISPs supply router/modems with ethernet now.

kwikbreaks

JasX wrote: »

News to me, I've only ever had wireless ADSL or non-wireless ADSL routers supplied free from an ISP.

In the early days of ADSL if the ISP supplied any kit at all free it would be the Speedtouch 330 USB ADSL modem known universally as the frog. That's why the routerstats page on the Kitz website is named frogstats - http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/frogstats.php where the top picture is one. I think these days any free ADSL kit is likely to be a wireless router (with inbuilt modem) though.

lisae03

I've just rang and ordered myself a FREE Netgear wireless Router! Thanks for the idea JasX really pleased with myself now as I can give him that and he'll think I bought it! Cheers for all the advice everyone :-)