Which DSL modem-router to buy?

N

Neville

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2006
Messages
239
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
 
howardb

howardb

Expert Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2003
Messages
3,654
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...
 
Fox1

Fox1

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2009
Messages
5,408
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.
 
A

Arthur

Honorary Master
Joined
Aug 7, 2003
Messages
26,882
Looked at ZyXEL? P-2812HNU(L). VDSL support for when your exchange can.
 
N

Neville

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2006
Messages
239
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!
 
N

Neville

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2006
Messages
239
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.
 
N

Neville

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2006
Messages
239
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?
 
Dan C

Dan C

Honorary Master
Joined
Nov 21, 2005
Messages
36,690
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.
 
Rickster

Rickster

EVGA Fanatic
Joined
Jul 31, 2012
Messages
20,458
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.
 
P

Pada

Executive Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2009
Messages
8,189
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
 
N

Neville

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2006
Messages
239
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?
 
Last edited:
N

Neville

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2006
Messages
239
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.
 
M

MrGray

Executive Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
9,397
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top