subject: Getting The Best Wireless Router [print this page] Scouting around for the best wireless router for your PC setup can be challenging and daunting. For most people, any item beyond the standard PC is totally alien for them and they can't link which part goes where. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the best wireless router:
Are you a seasoned user or newbie?
It's not a question of what you know but rather what is the workload that you have. There are the light user, the average users and the heavy users. People who are new to networking fall under the light user category. They may know something about it but not really dabble into it. These people use computers for simple everyday tasks like reading emails, typing some document and sending it to their fellow colleagues within the office. Average users are those that have been using the system for a quite sometime, a re more familiar with it but not that technical about it. People like accountants and clerks fall under this classification. Heavy users are those who have been using computers everyday for downloading information or those whoa re heavily into playing online games.
What features will you need?
Once you have identified what level of user you are, you need to decide on the features that the router can offer you. The crucial things you should look for are speed, range, reliability and easy to operate.
Light users can just but ready made kits that are simple to use and don't have so much cables or things with them. Most products come with the base unit, perhaps an antenna or two and some power cables. Most home networks use the basic setup and the basic model. It's small enough to handle the needs of a typical family. This type is the cheapest one if price is a major concern.
For averages users, they need to rely more on reliability than speed. Why? It is crucial that the connections are not easily cut. Most routers on this level are slightly more expensive than the home type and are a bit more complex o set up. You may have to run compatibility tests to see if will work fine on your system.
Heavy users need both speed and reliability. Online games get especially upset when disconnections happen. Large companies also need the stability and speed that these routers can offer. These routers need to be configured or programmed from the start to make it perform to the users need. Security is also an issue here since confidential information can be lifted easily if the connection is not secure.
In a nutshell, you should look at your needs and what they might entail in the near future.
