Should I replace my router WRT54GL?

[manishd]

Hello,

I currently have a Linksys WRT54GL that I bought 4 years ago. I have a 4 MBPS connection at home that falls to 2 MBPS once my monthly data usage is completed.

The following devices currently connect to the router - 3 laptops (1 Mac, 2 PCs), 4 iPhones, 3 iPads.

I am trying to determine if I should look to replace my current router with a faster router. How do I decide? Any suggestions will be appreciated. If I should replace the router, what should I be looking at in my new router?

Many thanks

 

[kanewolf]

You have a minimum of 7 wireless devices. I would recommend a wireless upgrade. A dual band N600 router would be both the minimum I recommend and all you would need with a 4Mbit WAN connection. With an N600 router you would get gigabit wired ports for anything that is directly connected and you could use the 5Ghz band for devices that support it (newer iPhones and iPads).

 

[manishd]

You have a minimum of 7 wireless devices. I would recommend a wireless upgrade. A dual band N600 router would be both the minimum I recommend and all you would need with a 4Mbit WAN connection. With an N600 router you would get gigabit wired ports for anything that is directly connected and you could use the 5Ghz band for devices that support it (newer iPhones and iPads).

Thanks kanewolf, a few follow up questions please - I am fairly new to this so some of this might be very basic.
- I looked up some router models and they seem to be categorised as "802.11ac" or "802.11n". Is N600 different from both of these types? Which of these 2 categories should I be looking at?
- Would you recommend any specific N600 routers that I should get?
- Just as additional info, we don't connect any devices to the router 'directly' (assuming that means through a wire) - all the devices I mentioned connect to the router wirelessly. Does this change your recommendation in any way?

Thanks again

 

[g90814]

Unless you have devices that can use wireless AC (newest fastest type of wireless) then you really don't need to get a router with AC. All 'AC' routers are also dual band, so 'more is better' in this case.

What is your budget? You can find many AC routers that are quite affordable, so you'd be 'future proof' a bit. Then we could recommend specific items. Where you are located would be helpful too, so we could send links to relevant sites.

Check out this link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100010076%20%2050001015%20%2050001233%20%2050012120%20%2050001413%2050001315%2050001646&IsNodeId=1&srchInDesc=dual%20band&page=1&bop=And&Order=RATING&PageSize=90
All are dual band routers (aka N600) including those that are AC, all recommended brands, sorted by ratings. This will give you a start. You can sort by price/etc if you like.

 

[manishd]

Unless you have devices that can use wireless AC (newest fastest type of wireless) then you really don't need to get a router with AC. All 'AC' routers are also dual band, so 'more is better' in this case.

What is your budget? You can find many AC routers that are quite affordable, so you'd be 'future proof' a bit. Then we could recommend specific items. Where you are located would be helpful too, so we could send links to relevant sites.

Check out this link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100010076%20%2050001015%20%2050001233%20%2050012120%20%2050001413%2050001315%2050001646&IsNodeId=1&srchInDesc=dual%20band&page=1&bop=And&Order=RATING&PageSize=90
All are dual band routers (aka N600) including those that are AC, all recommended brands, sorted by ratings. This will give you a start. You can sort by price/etc if you like.

Thank you g90814
I have the following devices: (1) a Macbook pro with retina display (2) a DELL PC, (3) a Sony Vaio PC. Both the Dell and Sony Vaio PCs are 2013 models. (4) Iphone 5s (5) Iphone 5s (6) Iphone 4s (7) Ipad mini 2

thank you for the suggestion, but I am still trying to get my head around the difference between "AC" and the 'N' in N600 that kanewolf mentioned.

I dont have a specific budget in mind, but if I have to put a number, then possibly $100. I am located in India, and here is a link that I googled that gives me a recommended list of routers. ($1 = INR 63) http://www.lifehacker.co.in/others/Five-Best-Home-Wi-Fi-Routers/articleshow/31744014.cms

 

[g90814]

Ok here's the way to explain AC vs N

N600 = wireless N, on both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequencies, at 300Mbps per frequency ( N+300+300 = N600 ). Most newer devices can use this. Your iPhone 4s can only use 2.4Ghz, not sure about the laptops. The iPhone 5s and ipad mini should be able to use 5Ghz.

AC is just a way of extending 5Ghz above 300Mbps. Most devices do not use this yet, but they will in the future. If you want to use this now on a laptop, you'd probably have to buy a new wireless adapter. If you can buy a router with this now, you'll be 'future proofed' a bit for any new devices you may get that might support wireless AC connections.

Any of the routers in the link you gave me would probably work fine for you. The list is almost 1 year old so prices are a bit less for those items now.

I'll do a bit more research based on your budget and update this post.

 

[kanewolf]

I use the Asus RT-N56U (I have 3 -- two used as access points). You would be well served by any of the routers listed. It is my go-to recommendation unless you have very high ISP bandwidth.