Suggestions for desktop wireless?

[riven0]

Soon, I'm hoping to convert my ethernet home network to wireless, but I'm running into problems trying to find a compatible card. Not that there aren't any compatible card, it's just that everyone is saying something different.

So here is my situation: I already know the wireless card needed for my laptop, but now I need two PCI wireless cards for both my desktops.

Basically, I'll be going for this router (http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-Cisco-WRT54GL-Wireless-G-Broadband-Compatible/dp/B000BTL0OA/sr=1-1/qid=1166903828/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-3073048-9667342?ie=UTF8&s=electronics) by Linksys. But I was also hoping to get my wireless cards by Linksys. I just can't seem to decide what is good.

What wireless PCI cards is everyone else running, and what are your experiences with them?

[Josh1]

Linksys routers are bad even though they make Cisco...

[riven0]

Linksys routers are bad even though they make Cisco...

But it got such good reviews! :cry:

What should I go for then?

[Insomniac20k]

If you already have the wires run, why go wireless?

But, I've had good luck with Lynksys and D-Link routers.

[riven0]

I'm worried about running into configuration problems between wired and wireless. But with all the conflicting info out there, it just may be easier to just make the laptop wireless and keep my wired network.

I already have a D-Link router, so I know their good, but I wanted to go for the Linksys one because it was made specifically with Linux in mind.

[Josh1]

I've tested and used and gone through quite a few routers. I've also set up quite a few networks for people as well, and here is each brand and what I find they are best for:
D-Link: These just work.. plug them in, run the wizard. Cheap, and has alright range for a medium sized house.
Netgear: This was really stable, sometimes people (laptops) could not pickup from a D-Link (the cheapo ones) but always from the Netgear, has really good range though! I picked up all the way across the park from my the people across the park!! :D :D
Linksys: Breaking down, sure they may work alright but everyone I've talked to say their ****, but I have also tested them out, they are pretty popular but I dislike them alot.

[niko7865]

MY Linksys router works great, but it is running dd-wrt.

as for wireless card i'd try to get one with a chipset that plays nice with linux

[Insomniac20k]

I'm worried about running into configuration problems between wired and wireless. But with all the conflicting info out there, it just may be easier to just make the laptop wireless and keep my wired network.

I already have a D-Link router, so I know their good, but I wanted to go for the Linksys one because it was made specifically with Linux in mind.

I cwouldn't worry about configuration problems. My home network has been through Netgear, Linksys and D-link routers and we've never had any problems.

[riven0]

Thanks to everyone, I've decided to take the risk of leaving my desktops wired and just go wireless with my laptop. This NetGear router (http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-802-11b-Wireless-4-Port-Router/dp/B00006HYKM/sr=1-22/qid=1169795749/ref=sr_1_22/002-6004795-5448021?ie=UTF8&s=pc) seems to be the best choice at the moment since it has Linux as a supported OS.

For the wireless card I'm going with the Intel Pro/wireless 3945ABG (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ERK23Y/ref=olp_product_details/002-6004795-5448021?ie=UTF8&seller=). If anyone has any problems with these products, give me a heads up. Otherwise, wish me luck! :D

[Bezmotivnik]

it just may be easier to just make the laptop wireless and keep my wired network.
If you can, this is the smartest possible solution.

[Insomniac20k]

Thanks to everyone, I've decided to take the risk of leaving my desktops wired and just go wireless with my laptop. This NetGear router (http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-802-11b-Wireless-4-Port-Router/dp/B00006HYKM/sr=1-22/qid=1169795749/ref=sr_1_22/002-6004795-5448021?ie=UTF8&s=pc) seems to be the best choice at the moment since it has Linux as a supported OS.

For the wireless card I'm going with the Intel Pro/wireless 3945ABG (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ERK23Y/ref=olp_product_details/002-6004795-5448021?ie=UTF8&seller=). If anyone has any problems with these products, give me a heads up. Otherwise, wish me luck! :D


Yeah, Intel is deffinately the best way to go when it comes to wireless hardware.

[PatrickMay16]

In my experience, wired network is faster and more reliable than wireless. Plus, most wired network cards work in linux; you can't say the same for wireless stuff. So you should only use wireless for stuff that would benefit; like a laptop or a computer that you move around a lot for some reason.

[ButteBlues]

Linksys routers are bad even though they make Cisco...
I have no idea what you're basing this on.

Truth be told, I've never recommended any router to a customer other than a Belkin, D-Link, or Linksys. They are the best, and I personally favor Linksys.

[em007a]

I have been using Linksys hardware for years and find them to be quite reliable.

[mips]

Linksys, Netgear, Billion are all much of a muchness.

[Rydel]

Linksys routers are bad even though they make Cisco...

Could you please elaborate? We use Linksys routers here in the office and they work just as well as any router should.