cheapest place to get a router from?

appleblossom

Just bought a new laptop and we need a router to enable wireless and also to link with our main pc. Ideally, would want to be able to print from both too, The laptop is the PB EasyR 4650 and is wireless enabled/wifi. There are so many routers about, I'm just not sure what I am looking for- any advice please? Also.... downloaded a video clip from my D500 to pc, but it's downloaded on 3gp and I can't view it on Powercinema, only in the phone software, any ideas of a simple way to convert to mpeg? Thanks

rrwfotr

HI what you need to decide is the requirements. Basically is the main PC conected to your printer? Is youe main pc near your asdl port? What do you want wireless? I suggest that if you want to reduce the cost of your wireless setup you should:

Connect your main desktop pc to your printer, get a wiress router that also has rj45 cale out so you can get your adsl traffic from a wire coonection to your desktop and then you can connect wireless to your router.

I have a belkin wireless router and that's what I've done/ Basically you can spend loads on a setup just depends what you want and need really. To save on cost I got my desktop wired into my router so when I want to use my desktop I can. I didnt want to buy for a wireless link from my desktop so I used the provided rj45 lan cable to connect it up. The best think it as the router is a modem and router I dont have to power up the pc to route the traffic. The modem provides the router all in one so basically you can just have the router going on it's own and connect via the desktop or laptop when ever. If you want your pronter to be wireless then you would need a iprint router for your printer and that will cost you extra.

I suggest you go to http://www.belkin.co.uk and decide what you want an then go and buy be it belkin or another make the kit you want.

I like belkin because they offer free 0800 support number and also a lifetime warrenty on their routers so if they ever go wrong you can just send it back and you get a new one. Also the offer firmwire upgardes for the router(s) so you can always upgrade to the lastest router software when and if required so you don't need to go out and buy another bit of kit etc. Also the price of the kit is not that expensive considering it'sgot a lifetime warrenty.

appleblossom

Thanks for your reply, basically the set up I want is what you seem to have. The main pc is all connected to the current adsl modem and the printer. I would want the laptop to be complety wire free so I can take it upstairs, in the garden etc. I'll have a look at the Belkin ones - they were the ones I saw on ebay but there seemed to be a fair few to choose from.

peter_the_piper

I've only used the Belkin wireless cards and found them good. The software set it all up for me without help. The extra cost was worth it.
Peter.

rrwfotr

I might be worth looking at the range of belkin routers at argos in the high steet. I know by looking at http://www.argos.co.uk that there is one there. You could set it up and try it out if you don't like the setup you could always return it within 16 days in the same condition you got it in. The good thenk with using the open standard of 802.11g is that you can connect loads of devices wireless and they will all will work no matter what the make.

kevinyork

Just stepped into the world of routers and wireless and after much research bought a D-LINK DSL-904 from PC World. Dont normally buy from them as they are pricey but if you reserve it online it brings the price down to £58.10 from £79.99 and the pack includes an ADSL Modem Router AND a USB wireless adaptor. Price in the end is cheaper than Ebuyer who are usually the best value. This would allow the set up as described earlier that you preferred. You could use a cable to connect the main PC and use the USB adaptor for the laptop.

Set mine up yesterday and have found it to be ok.

Hope this helps.


Kev

padzster

I can recommend the LinkSys 4-port router. Was one of the cheapest when I was looking.

MoneyWastingMe

find using the PC-World collect at store good value. You get web prices instore. usually makes it cheaper then ebuyer/dabs etc as you save on delivery.

meclive

I would avoid belkin routers as most have major bugs. The Indian/Philipines out-sourced, belkin customer support are also about as useful as a chocolate fireguard.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=belkin+router+bugs&meta=
http://reviews.cnet.com/4864-3319_7-30993672.html?messageSiteID=7&messageID=1222192&cval=1222192&ctype=msgid
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=465135

bigup

Lots of free trial programs or sharware available on the web to convert 3gp files to mpeg and vice versa.

just did a quick search and found a free trial one: (im sure theres other freeware programs available)

http://www.shareup.com/3GP_Video_Converter-download-25710.html

appleblossom

thanks to you all for your replies, I think I will go with Kevins recommendation as that does seem to do what I want it to - thanks to bigup - I will be converting tonight!!