I have an old d link DI524 and its always kicking me off or my laptop just doesnt connect to it sometimes so I gotta reset the router. Anyway, Im looking for a new one. Dont wanna pay too much for one I dont need. I only use devices in my home to browse internet and download movies and songs and watch them. That said, I see the new ones have 802.11ac but read that its too new and doesnt work good yet. I want one thatll last a long while with the technology but do I need AC? Does my current old router make my computer slower? I notice somedays my computer is REALLY slow and barely plays movie clips. 

I have an old d link DI524 and its always kicking me off or my laptop just doesnt connect to it sometimes so I gotta reset the router. Anyway, Im looking for a new one. Dont wanna pay too much for one I dont need. I only use devices in my home to browse internet and download movies and songs and watch them. That said, I see the new ones have 802.11ac but read that its too new and doesnt work good yet. I want one thatll last a long while with the technology but do I need AC? Does my current old router make my computer slower? I notice somedays my computer is REALLY slow and barely plays movie clips. 

 

How new is you laptop? Newer than the router? The Di 524 is an 802.11g standard, which is max of 54Mbps.  You might want to step it up to an 802.11n router which can use several channels to bump the speed up to a theoretical 600Mbps. Each channel being 160Mbps.  I think that will be around for a bit.

 

802.11ac seems a bit "bleeding edge" to rely on just yet. I'd give that one some time and let them iron out the kinks to it first.

My laptop is old and runs b/g. I will be upgrading soon but it just works so good. 

802.11ac is far from bleeding edge at this point.  If you have an iPhone or iPad or most other equipment made in the last couple of years it can benefit from the N spec and higher speeds.  I got a great deal about six months ago on a Netgear 6300 v2.  Its an AC1750 with bandwidths of 450 + 1300 mbps.  That means you can have a total output of 450 mbps on the older 2.4ghz band and 1300 mbps on the newer 5 ghz band.  While the 5 ghz does not have the range of the 2.5 it is way faster.  If you computer does not support it you can buy a USB network adapter that will let your old machine work on it.  The other nice thing this unit has is what they call Beamforming technology.  I am not an electrical engineer, but my understanding is that it sends its signals out to where it sees devices.  While older units just broadcast a beam that goes out equally in all directions this reduces the output where it does not see a receiver and strengthens it where it sees a device.  No clue how it does it, but it works very well.  You can also hook up a USB3 hard-drive and create your own cloud off the router.  I have been very happy with it.

802.11ac is far from bleeding edge at this point.  If you have an iPhone or iPad or most other equipment made in the last couple of years it can benefit from the N spec and higher speeds.  I got a great deal about six months ago on a Netgear 6300 v2.  Its an AC1750 with bandwidths of 450 + 1300 mbps.  That means you can have a total output of 450 mbps on the older 2.4ghz band and 1300 mbps on the newer 5 ghz band.  While the 5 ghz does not have the range of the 2.5 it is way faster.  If you computer does not support it you can buy a USB network adapter that will let your old machine work on it.  The other nice thing this unit has is what they call Beamforming technology.  I am not an electrical engineer, but my understanding is that it sends its signals out to where it sees devices.  While older units just broadcast a beam that goes out equally in all directions this reduces the output where it does not see a receiver and strengthens it where it sees a device.  No clue how it does it, but it works very well.  You can also hook up a USB3 hard-drive and create your own cloud off the router.  I have been very happy with it.

It's a matter of risk tolerance, then. For something used in the home, it might be OK, as long as there isn't much interference that hinders the directional/"beamforming" signals. But I wouldn't rely on it in a commercial/business context, just yet. It needs to be more proven, reliability wise.

It's a matter of risk tolerance, then. For something used in the home, it might be OK, as long as there isn't much interference that hinders the directional/"beamforming" signals. But I wouldn't rely on it in a commercial/business context, just yet. It needs to be more proven, reliability wise.

Uh, maybe....BUT the OP was looking for something to use in his home. 

If he has a BG laptop then at the most he should get an N router some come with a thumbdrive N network card. I bought a netgear with one when N first came out and its ok.

I had a similair problem with my current and really old router, I updated the firmware on the router and I have not had a problem since.

Keep an eye on this site for deals.  http://slickdeals.net/

You don't need an AC router.

 

Buy an Asus RT-N66U or if you don't like the price, a RT-N65U.

 

These days, buy anything cheapo and you're going to get cheapo results.  These are both rock solid routers that will manage your data needs well into the future.

Uh, maybe....BUT the OP was looking for something to use in his home. 

 

All the more reason to get an "N" router. That way, there won't be any "directional/interference" issues, which might be harder to diagnose or resolve in a home setting (i.e. without proper diagnostic gear). 

You should do a search, there was another thread not that long ago here with detailed info on routers the last time this question was asked.

 

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php/topic/64674-need-a-new-wireless-home-router/?hl=router

 

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php/topic/59502-help-i-need-a-new-router/?hl=router

Any non enterprise level wireless equipment typically starts to fail within 3-5 years. The circuitry is just  not as robust as a a $500 dollar router or ap. I agree with the above poster that said ac is not required. You will only get higher throughput with ac if you have supported clients but is a good way to future proof for the next few years. Also mentioned above if you have an android device install the wifi analyzer app and see what other channels access points in your area are using and set yours in between available frequencies. If money is tight just buy a router that supports 802.11n the current standard for home wireless.

Hope this helps.

You don't need an AC router.

 

Buy an Asus RT-N66U or if you don't like the price, a RT-N65U.

 

These days, buy anything cheapo and you're going to get cheapo results.  These are both rock solid routers that will manage your data needs well into the future.

^^^^^^^

THIS. Go with Asus. IMO, best advice here. I suffered with lots of cheapos like DLink, Netgear, Zyxel etc - no comparison with Asus at all

 

I'd even say go with RT-N16 if you want to save a bit. It is quite old, but proven and VERY reliable. I have one at my parents' place for several years already. I just put it somewhere, set it up and forgot where it was. When I needed to hook it up with a wireless USB data stick it was also extremely easy, especially with a custom (not original) firmware. 3 PCs, 3 laptops, dozen of other devices (iPods, tablets, VoIP adapters, network printer, NAS etc) - all work just great with very high upload/download speeds between devices.

Just curious about the hate for Netgear, why? I have been very happy with mine as are all the people I know that have the. I get great throughput with about 8 devices hooked to mine.

Just curious about the hate for Netgear, why? I have been very happy with mine as are all the people I know that have the. I get great throughput with about 8 devices hooked to mine.

 

I've had issues with some Netgear devices, particularly their storage (more precisely, their zSAN boxes). They refused to create 64-bit drivers for them. I ended up going to D-Link for NAS, as well as  my 24 port auto managed GigE switch (I still have some smaller 5 & 8 port Netgear GigE switches).

 

I do still use Netgear Wired Routers... one of the few that have "Dual WAN" (repeat.. WAN).  Can be used for fail over and load balancing, and are reasonably priced for "non-enterprise" routers.