Need advice on selecting a router

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katz201

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I want to get a wireless network running at home to connect the following devices:
- iBurst modem (might be replaced by ADSL at a later stage)
- PS3
- External HDD (so would like something that does UPnP Media streaming to the PS3
- Laptop x2
- Kindle

So basically I will connect the iBurst to the WAN port, External HDD to the USB port, PS3 through one of the LAN ports and the rest via wireless.

I don't have massive data volumes coming in through the iBurst. Will mostly be browsing the web in the laptop, phone & kindle. Unless I get the ADSL...

I want to do the media through the Media streaming to cater for formats the PS3 can't handle (like MKV)

So far the short list looks like this (in no particular order):
- Netgear N600 WIRELESS DUAL BAND GIGABIT ROUTER
- Linksys E4200 Wireless-N Router
- Asus RT-N56U Diamond N wireless Router

Am I missing any contenders on the list?
Best places to buy?
Other comments & advice welcome!
 
If you have devices that supports 5GHz wireless N, then it might be worth it to go for one of those expensive dual band routers.

Otherwise, stick to the TP-Link WR1043ND, which you can get for R499 (incl VAT, excl shipping) from Uniterm Direct - see http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...-Wireless-AP?p=7151680&viewfull=1#post7151680

It does support video streaming via DLNA - see http://www.tp-link.com/en/article/?id=340

I'm not sure if it will be able to handle 1080p videos though, because that requires quite a strong processor if I'm not mistaken.
 
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I've also been looking for a high end router and have pretty much narrowed it down to the Asus n56u and the Linksys e4200. It seems that the E4200 has slightly better range whereas the n56u has better throughput at close range and better features with 2 USB ports versus the one on the E4200. The n56u also supports printers out of the box whereas the E4200 needs a firmware update but even then results seem mixed.

The cheapest online store I've found for both of these is Wootware:
N56u - R1300
E4200 - R1497

I think I'll probably end up getting the n56u due to the features and the the slight saving.

I looked at the TP-Link WR1043ND and was really tempted as it's unbelievable value for money however there were some bad reports about its range which is very important for me as I can't run a cable to another router to extend the network. If all your devices are 2 or 3 rooms away from each other I would definitely go for the TP-Link as the throughput at close range is easily enough to stream media, If you don't mind running a cable you can get 2 of these to extend the network and still have change compared to having bought the Linksys or Asus.
 
Hmm, I haven't seen those reviews on the TP-Link WR1043ND where people complained about the poor range. Perhaps they were using 802.11b/g instead of 802.11n.

I would've thought that the TP-Link WR1043ND had a better range than the Linksys E4200, just because it has external antennas.

Unfortunately I don't own a WR1043ND/E4200 myself, so I can't comment on the range.
 
So which one is it?

My wag120n went poof yesterday. So looking for an upgrade/replacement for similar requirements as stated by the OP.

Cheapest prices I've seen.

N600 R1700 + R100 delivery = R1800

E4200 R1560 + R0 Delivery = R1560

n56u R1280 + R45 deliver = R1325

According to PC MAG the best router is the E4200 followed closely by the N600. The Asus is however not on the list, but included here on price.
 
Ok. Now I'm seeing that there is a E4200 v1 and an E4200 v2. Why do they not simplify these stupid naming conventions. Morons.
 
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