Which linksy works best in 2 story house where router is on second floor and laptop is on first

[rfjinx]

I am having problems with getting a good connection on my laptop and was wondering which Linksey wireless routerN would be best since my router and modem are on second floor and it has to go thru walls and my laptop is always down here with me on the first floor. Keep losing signal with my old router so going to replace and don't know which one to get except my friend said to get a N one. I only use my laptop for Netflicks, emails, printing, going to coupon sites, etc. I was looking between the Linksys E1700 IEEE 802.11n Ethernet Wireless Router or the Linksys® E1200 Wireless-N Router?THANKS

 

[kanewolf]

Your best option would be to run an ethernet cable. If you are unable or unwilling to do that, your next best option is a pair of AV2 MIMO powerline network adapters. Either way add a WIFI access point on the first floor. That will provide the best WIFI.

 

[boosted1g]

I am going to bet that your Linksys router is an old old WRT54g (blue with black trim) that has 2 antennas on the back. These where the golden years of Linksys and they have taken a step drop off the quality/performance map since then.
Technology changes quickly, so choosing a brand based off of what was good 10 years ago is not the best strategy.

Getting reliable wifi signal in a multi-story house can be difficult to do, even more so if the walls are not just un-insulated 1/2" drywall.

Not sure if by phone line you mean an Ethernet cable (8 pin cable whose plug is wider then a phone) or you mean you get your internet via DSL over phone line and was talking about relocating the router/modem to the 1st story.

You have 2 options at this point:
1) accept that you need 2 medium-end routers like the TP-Link WDR3600 and connect the two of them together with what is called a powerline adapter (this sends data over your AC power wires). The router one not hooked up to the modem will have to be configured as an "Access Point". While this is not that complicated, if you don't understand anything about networking you will need someone to help you set this up.
2) Buy a $150 router like the Asus AC68u and hope it can penetrate your walls/ceilings.

 

[USAFRet]

Some powerline devices also do WiFi at the far end device.
http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Powerline-N300-Starter-XWNB5201/dp/B009WG6K66

No idea how well it works, but there it is.

 

[kanewolf]

Of those two choices the E1700 (with the antennas) will probably be best. You may want to try angling the antennas at a 45 degree angle toward where you usually use the laptop. That will help direct the signal downward.

Having a handyman (or college student) come in and run a network cable downstairs for you then putting a second WIFI source like this -- http://www.linksys.com/us/p/P-WAP300N/ on the first floor will work the best. You wouldn't replace any of your equipment on the second floor that way, you would just plug the new cable into it.

 

[rfjinx]

Your best option would be to run an ethernet cable. If you are unable or unwilling to do that, your next best option is a pair of AV2 MIMO powerline network adapters. Either way add a WIFI access point on the first floor. That will provide the best WIFI.

I am going to bet that your Linksys router is an old old WRT54g (blue with black trim) that has 2 antennas on the back. These where the golden years of Linksys and they have taken a step drop off the quality/performance map since then.
Technology changes quickly, so choosing a brand based off of what was good 10 years ago is not the best strategy.

Getting reliable wifi signal in a multi-story house can be difficult to do, even more so if the walls are not just un-insulated 1/2" drywall.

Not sure if by phone line you mean an Ethernet cable (8 pin cable whose plug is wider then a phone) or you mean you get your internet via DSL over phone line and was talking about relocating the router/modem to the 1st story.

You have 2 options at this point:
1) accept that you need 2 medium-end routers like the TP-Link WDR3600 and connect the two of them together with what is called a powerline adapter (this sends data over your AC power wires). The router one not hooked up to the modem will have to be configured as an "Access Point". While this is not that complicated, if you don't understand anything about networking you will need someone to help you set this up.
2) Buy a $150 router like the Asus AC68u and hope it can penetrate your walls/ceilings.

Some powerline devices also do WiFi at the far end device.
http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Powerline-N300-Starter-XWNB5201/dp/B009WG6K66

No idea how well it works, but there it is.