Spec me a router

Ricki · 30 Jan 2011 at 15:08

I've just moved back home and the current router is no longer upto the task so I'm in need of a new router. Below is a rough list of what will be connected, though never all at the same time.

Wired:
2 No. Desktops (only ever 1 at a time)
1 No. Homeplug (maybe)

Wireless:
3 No. Smartphones
1 No. iPad
2 No. Desktops (different from the above)
2 No. Laptops
1 No. Netbook
1 No. Xbox 360
2 No. TV's (unlikely)

Our needs are pretty simple at the moment (we don't bother with NAS etc.) - just dish out the internet as far and as quick as possible (some of things on the wireless list are in the annex so range is important).

If it makes any difference we are currently with Orange and use one of their Livebox's, though I am looking into alternate ISP's.

I would like to pay less than £100 if possible, but a little bit more isn't an issue.

So please spec me a router.

Schizophonic · 30 Jan 2011 at 15:38

Are all of those wireless devices used at the same time? If so you might need to consider finding a router with MIMO.

lay-z-boy · 30 Jan 2011 at 15:45

Are you looking for an all in one (router+modem) or just a router?

If you are looking for a modem-router combo I would recommend the billion bipac 7800n.
Rock solid system, wireless and dsl. As for range, I live in a house with walls up to 1-2ft thick in certain areas but it still covers far more than any other AP/router I've used so far.

Should you move to fibre or anything that requires a specific modem it also has the option to be a router only or even have failover from one to the other.

Ricki · 30 Jan 2011 at 16:10

Most likely 2 of the phones, the iPad, 1 of the desktop and 1 of the PC's at any given time, The netbook, xbox and tv very rarely.

Just for simplicity sake I'm looking at an all in one.

lay-z-boy · 1 Feb 2011 at 13:00

Then I stand by my recommendation. It really is a plug in, setup and ignore router.