XWrench3
Daemon Poster
- Messages
- 820
- Location
- W. MICHIGAN
my kids have tablets, i pads, a Wi, and a phone that connect to the web, plus our laptops. so we use the internet a lot. but it has always concerned me that we have to run our router unsecure in order for the kids toys to connect. i am not sure if that is because of an antiquated router, or if that is just the way the toys are. anyway, the kids are now complaining of getting poor reception (well, they are complaining more actually) while they are in different areas of the house. and outside reception is a joke. i am certain part of that is because our intenet base is in the basement of our home. we have a tri level, and my computer is there, and my wifes is directly above me. so this is the most conveinent spot. i am sure the one saving grace is the fact that there is a decent amount of space between neighbors here. because of the kids constant whining, and me not wanting to listen to it anymore, not to mention i really would like to run a secure wi-fi, i want to replace this old hand me down router. obviously, i have some questions. i see different types of routers in the stores, and i have no idea what the differences are between them. what is a dual band router? i do not know what a "N" router is, or what the number after it means (300, 600, 750), and is there one brand better than the others. easy to set up is a BIG factor for me also, as obviously, i am NOT a tech genious. i really prefer to not buy a $200.00 and up router, as that would be rough on the budget, especially since we just had to replace a car. but i am not locked in to a super economy one either. one other consideration is we will soon be changing isp. Charter cable internet is great, but their cost keep going up, up, up, and i have had it. you can only get so much blood from a rock, and mine has been gone for a while. so we will be downgrading to what ever comes in a direct tv, or dish network package. so whatever we switch to will require setting up a new connection, and i can not think of a better time to replace the router. i think i have given you all the info needed, but if you have more questions, i will be happy to answer them to try to get the best router value.