Which DSL modem-router to buy?

N

Neville

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So many choices. So little time. Not really. Just getting baffled by too many choices. My trusty very old Billion 400G finally packed up and now is time to upgrade. I was heading for the Netgear n600 until I read quite a few bad reviews on it, people complaining about it dropping its connection. I'm bit of a brand snob and the only other name I know in this space is Linksys i.e. Cisco. I see TP-Link popping up in the forums here quite often so I'm guessing they're quite popular?
How are the D-Link modem-routers?

I need:
- Dual band wireless
- HD streaming to smart TV so n+ I guess and DLNA?
- 4 Ethernet ports, preferably 1gb for future upgrades although currently all devices are only 100mbps capable.

What's hot? What's not?

Cheers
Neville
 
I've had D-Link most of my ADSL modem life and had no issues. I have heard that certain models suffer with weak wifi signals, but you'd have to read reviews for this to determine the extent.

If my trusty D-Link ever dies, I'll probably go for a TP-Link - they used to be fairly average, but recently are apparently much better - good value for money and decent wifi signals. I would probably go for the TP-Link W8980, purely as it has everything I would need and includes future-proofing to an extent - your needs sound similar. Uniterm used to offer MyBB members a further discount when ordering, but check with them. If you know someone with a reseller account, even better...
 
Tenda < Huawei < TP-Link < Asus

Depends on how much you have to spend. The Asus one's give great coverage on large double story houses but it is more pricey.

PS: I'm yet to use a D-Link or a Netgear. I figured for the price of the Netgear, I rather get the Asus or TP-Link.
 
howardb said:
I've had D-Link most of my ADSL modem life and had no issues. I have heard that certain models suffer with weak wifi signals, but you'd have to read reviews for this to determine the extent.

If my trusty D-Link ever dies, I'll probably go for a TP-Link - they used to be fairly average, but recently are apparently much better - good value for money and decent wifi signals. I would probably go for the TP-Link W8980, purely as it has everything I would need and includes future-proofing to an extent - your needs sound similar. Uniterm used to offer MyBB members a further discount when ordering, but check with them. If you know someone with a reseller account, even better...
Click to expand...

Ok, so D-Link sounds good and TP-Link not bad either... shot!
 
Fox1 said:
Tenda < Huawei < TP-Link < Asus

Depends on how much you have to spend. The Asus one's give great coverage on large double story houses but it is more pricey.

PS: I'm yet to use a D-Link or a Netgear. I figured for the price of the Netgear, I rather get the Asus or TP-Link.
Click to expand...

Budgeting for R2000 max. Here in CPT best price of the Netgear N600 I've seen is R2399 so that's a bit much. Haven't seen TP-Link or Asus in the shops here and too impatient to buy online.
 
Arthur said:
Looked at ZyXEL? P-2812HNU(L). VDSL support for when your exchange can.
Click to expand...

My first little ADSL modem was Zyxel actually! And I still have it in the cupboard as back-up. Also not seeing them in the stores anymore for some odd reason...

What if I revive my little single port ADSL Zyxel modem and just buy a new wifi-router instead of a all-in-one modem-router? Any cons besides extra cabling to having a separate modem and router?
 
Cigano said:
Budgeting for R2000 max. Here in CPT best price of the Netgear N600 I've seen is R2399 so that's a bit much. Haven't seen TP-Link or Asus in the shops here and too impatient to buy online.
Click to expand...

You can get TP-Link from Uniterm Direct and I'm sure myBB members still qualify for a discount.
As far as I can see, they also have a branch in CPT.
 
Cigano said:
Looks cool. Nice spec. Nice price. Love the 3 big antennas. Giving away my age buy just don't trust some of the new space-age designs with built-in antennas. I want to see that antenna reaching for the sky :D
Click to expand...

Buy it.
 
If you're looking for a dual band router + ADSL modem, then I suggest that you buy 2 separate devices.

The reasons for buying 2 separate units is simple:
1) It is cheaper that way
2) Dual band WiFi AP's + ADSL modem units are very scarce
 
Pada said:
If you're looking for a dual band router + ADSL modem, then I suggest that you buy 2 separate devices.

The reasons for buying 2 separate units is simple:
1) It is cheaper that way
2) Dual band WiFi AP's + ADSL modem units are very scarce
Click to expand...

Hey Pada, what do you mean by "Wifi AP's"?
There are many dual-band wifi modem-routers available. Here in CPT, just between Dion Wired and Computer Mania, I can get Cisco, NetGear and Belkin devices with that spec, be it a bit pricey but available though. What am I missing?

I have been thinking about the two separate devices though as my line is too far from the exchange to support more than 4-5mbps, so my old little 10/100mbps modem is ample to get internet connectivity, and it still works! Then just link it up to a nice dual band wifi router for the house and Bob's my uncle, right? So my home server, laptop, tabs, PS3 etc can run on a mix of 1gb cable and dual-band wifi, despite the internet line coming into just a 10/100 modem?
 
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Generally my approach as well but since someone else here previously posted he has bought 10 of these and all still going strong, I thought I'd give it a shot. So far, so good. Let's hope it lasts. Good bang for your buck if it does.
 
I've found recent Netgear devices quite disappointing - they all seem a bit flaky and seem to hang when very busy (last 3 we bought). Granted they were all routers with wifi so not sure if that's a factor. Switched to the Billion BiPac range routers and they're rock solid so far.
 
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