Internets ( Blue Montains)

[Beer Baron]

this is the billion one I'm looking at:

http://au.billion.com/product/wireless/bipac7300n.php

this is the linksys (looks ok, but I'm a bit sceptical of internal antena)

http://www-au.linksys.com/servlet/Satellit...d=8505069027B02

this is the netgear offering. looks pretty decent.

http://www.netgear.com.au/Products/Routers...ys/DGN2000.aspx

[Blitz]

Netgear has lifted their game a lot over the past few years.

What 'config' of yours was the Linksys not handling BB?

Tell me you are actually going to secure your shit this time

[JAS-25T]

non secured wireless ftw!

(when Im using it , not when I own it)

[Beer Baron]

Netgear has lifted their game a lot over the past few years.

What 'config' of yours was the Linksys not handling BB?

Tell me you are actually going to secure your shit this time

lol, yeah being in an apartment buidling I may secure this network. hehe I figure I spend a lot of time stealing unsecured wireless, so why not share the wealth at home with my neigbours!

the config problem was something to do with having a static IP and one other setting I had (can't remember which) basically it wouldn't let me have both a static IP and this other setting at the same time. the belkin was the same too, so I guess that particular account set-up I had was a bit unique. but the netgear let me do it.

[Beer Baron]

also, where's the good place in sydney to buy this gear cheap?

[Sl!m]

i find harris technology on epping road usually has pretty good prices for some of the stuff I get there.. but havent really been buying stuff for a few years other than little bits and pieces I need when some thing breaks.

[JAS-25T]

Personally I think you can get it cheaper on the interwebz..............but wait - without a modem you can't order..........wait........how are you posting

[Beer Baron]

hmm, any suggestions of internet stores gratefully recieved too.

Sam, yeah I've been fairly happy with HHT.

as for how I post I just hop in the car and drve around till I get a good unsecured signal.

and I right in saying that the http://au.billion.com/product/wireless/bipac5200n.php would be just as good for my purposes as the http://au.billion.com/product/wireless/bipac7300n.php ?

It seems like the 7300 just has more features that I wont use. All I want is an ADSL2+ model and a wireless router all in one, that is good enough for me to use 2 pcs and a PS3 with decent speeds.

[JAS-25T]

if you have the specific model you want go to shopferret.com.au and put it in - then it will find the best online shop price.

[Beer Baron]

cheers that site is good. I think I might go tight and can the N idea and go with G. My PS3 is G anyway and I don't know if I can be farked upgrading the card in my PC to a N card, and the laptop has built in G so no way I want to buy an N card for it either. given all that is seems an N router is a waste of time. just need to find a decent G one.

[Blitz]

Richo, if you want to price compare I would be checking out http://staticice.com.au/

[Beer Baron]

thanks muffin.

[GoldZilla]

cheers that site is good. I think I might go tight and can the N idea and go with G. My PS3 is G anyway and I don't know if I can be farked upgrading the card in my PC to a N card, and the laptop has built in G so no way I want to buy an N card for it either. given all that is seems an N router is a waste of time. just need to find a decent G one.

Shouldn't N be backwards compatible with 11B and G?

also, where's the good place in sydney to buy this gear cheap?

Richo, if you want to price compare I would be checking out http://staticice.com.au/

I'd suggest the same - StaticIce is good. Unfortunately not every store uses it, though, so some extra running/calling around might still be worth it.

Oh, and Australian PC User states in the current (September) issue that the best ADSL2+ Modem/Routers available at the moment are the Dynalink RTA1025W (for roughly $120) or the Netgear DG834G (for roughly $105).

[Beer Baron]

Shouldn't N be backwards compatible with 11B and G?

yeah it's 100% backwards compatible, but my point is if my PCs card is G, and my PS3 is G and my laptops built in card is G then what's the point of an N router as I'll be limited by the other hardware. or will I still get some benefit with the N router even though I'm using all G gear? maybe increased bandwidth or something?

thanks for the other advice too. you too primordial.

[JAS-25T]

The benefit is when you go to buy new hardware you wont have to spend money on a new modem as well

[Primordial]

I'd be hesitant to spend extra bucks on a Wireless N router at the moment. The spec for the protocol hasnt been finalised (expected March '09). And while they be morons to finalise a spec that isnt compatible with all of the Wireless N gear thats been sold already - keep in mind that hardware you buy now might not be fully compatible with all future stuff.

Also, be warned if you're buying a new home phone to stop the interference with 2.4GHz cordless phones (same frequency as Wireless A/B/G) - the Wireless N will be on a 5Ghz and/or 2.4ghz frequency range, which may clash with the flashy new 5.8Ghz cordless stuff thats out now. Stick with 1.8Ghz phones as they suffer from the least interference from Wireless networks, Microwaves, etc etc... They have better range and comparable voice quality in most cases anyway.

If the wireless N stuff is only a few bucks more, future proofing might be a way to go. But i wouldnt spend heaps on it at the moment.

[JAS-25T]

you can change channels to avoid the intereference.

[Beer Baron]

I'd be hesitant to spend extra bucks on a Wireless N router at the moment. The spec for the protocol hasnt been finalised (expected March '09). And while they be morons to finalise a spec that isnt compatible with all of the Wireless N gear thats been sold already - keep in mind that hardware you buy now might not be fully compatible with all future stuff.

Also, be warned if you're buying a new home phone to stop the interference with 2.4GHz cordless phones (same frequency as Wireless A/B/G) - the Wireless N will be on a 5Ghz and/or 2.4ghz frequency range, which may clash with the flashy new 5.8Ghz cordless stuff thats out now. Stick with 1.8Ghz phones as they suffer from the least interference from Wireless networks, Microwaves, etc etc... They have better range and comparable voice quality in most cases anyway.

If the wireless N stuff is only a few bucks more, future proofing might be a way to go. But i wouldnt spend heaps on it at the moment.

yeah this is pretty much what I've been thinking. a decent N router and modem is almost double a comparable G router and modem. and like you say they are all built to the draft standard. and again, I don't have any other hardware to take advantage of the increased speed. home phone is not a big problem, I don't bother with a cordless in the apartment, just have 1 plugged in telstra POS.

there seem to be some decent ADSL2+ modems/ wireless G routers now for around $100 which is peanuts really so I think I'll grab one of those and see how we go.

[GoldZilla]

yeah it's 100% backwards compatible, but my point is if my PCs card is G, and my PS3 is G and my laptops built in card is G then what's the point of an N router as I'll be limited by the other hardware. or will I still get some benefit with the N router even though I'm using all G gear? maybe increased bandwidth or something?

thanks for the other advice too. you too primordial.

The benefit is when you go to buy new hardware you wont have to spend money on a new modem as well

I was gonna mention that in my original post, but forgot...

But yeah, considering 11N still isn't settled, then it might be better to wait. Prices will only come down anyway.

Oh, just as I mentioned that PC User's current issue was the September one, I see that the October issue has just been released, and it has a big comparison of ADSL2+ modems and modem/routers in there. Might be worth checking out...

[Beer Baron]

well after spending a bit of time researching on staticice etc. I've discovered most of the G modem/routers I was interested in are between $85 and $100 and the N ones are between $120 and $130. so considering there is not really much difference in price I think I'll grab an N and give it a go.