looking for a router in a small apartment

looking to spend no more than $40 if possible. I was looking at a refurb e2500 on the cisco refurb site for $35. I don't see the point of 5GHz since none of my devices support it and I stream everything just fine with 2.4GHz N as it is at home. 5ghz might have its benefits if i'm in an apartment though with a lot of neighbors, so i'm not sure. any advice is great, i don't need usb or anything, but wouldn't mind it

dd-wrt support is nice, tomato is much preferred

I think that Asus RT-N16 seems to be a good choice but I like the Linksys E2000 which is what I have, rates as one of the best in the 2.4 GHz range, and has gigabit ports. The E2500 does not have gigabit so I'm not sure if you want that for your wired LAN currently or in the future.

Quote from menace33 : I think that Asus RT-N16 seems to be a good choice but I like the Linksys E2000 which is what I have, rates as one of the best in the 2.4 GHz range, and has gigabit ports. The E2500 does not have gigabit so I'm not sure if you want that for your wired LAN currently or in the future.

I'm not really sure if I need gigabit. I don't transfer files over network, I am really just getting this to get internet access on multiple devices. My xbox and ps3 would be the only devices connected via lan, and afaik, neither support gigabit.

The Asus is ~$85, so it is definitely not in my price range

Belkin N600 for $29.99 from Buy.com (sold by 1saleaday) tomato supported.
http://slickdeals.net/f/5024050-B...-Supported

or do keyword search and you'll see more than 5 similar deals within the past 30 days.

Quote from Lkr : I'm not really sure if I need gigabit. I don't transfer files over network, I am really just getting this to get internet access on multiple devices. My xbox and ps3 would be the only devices connected via lan, and afaik, neither support gigabit. The Asus is ~$85, so it is definitely not in my price range

The PS3 supports Gigabit or at least Cat 5e. The older Xbox doesn't and the Xbox 360 doesn't either.

What is your budget by the way?

No need for gigabit if you are not transfering files. Your internet speed will not benefit at all. For what its worth, im runing an e2000 in my apartment on standard firmware and its been solid for about a year and a half. I set one one up at a friends house as well, but the range is not that great for a large house, perfect for apartment though. You should be just fine with the e2500.

http://slickdeals.net/f/5027460-B...st52326740

$11?! Only single stream, no dd-wrt either, but for the basics, in a small space, might be good enough. And for another $11 each, you can add more as WDS repeaters.

Quote from menace33 : The PS3 supports Gigabit or at least Cat 5e. The older Xbox doesn't and the Xbox 360 doesn't either. What is your budget by the way?

trying for no more than $40 since that puts the $35 E2500 refurb in my budget

Quote from fenderman : No need for gigabit if you are not transfering files. Your internet speed will not benefit at all. For what its worth, im runing an e2000 in my apartment on standard firmware and its been solid for about a year and a half. I set one one up at a friends house as well, but the range is not that great for a large house, perfect for apartment though. You should be just fine with the e2500.

That is what I was thinking. It also has dual band if I ever want to get a usb adapter for my laptop for whatever reason

Quote from eibgrad : http://slickdeals.net/f/5027460-B...st52326740 $11?! Only single stream, no dd-wrt either, but for the basics, in a small space, might be good enough. And for another $11 each, you can add more as WDS repeaters.

would definitely hop on this if it supported a custom firmware

get the n600

Quote from fyu : get the n600

I was about to pull the trigger and then saw some bad things abou its performance. It is definitely still an option though

Quote from Lkr : I was about to pull the trigger and then saw some bad things abou its performance. It is definitely still an option though

I purchased N300 (not N600) at the time I read a lot of bad reviews about the mfg firmware. I still bought it since it was so cheap for a gigabit router. You can always root it with tomato, or like me to update it with the latest mfg firmware. I don't find any significant issue since I have been using it for 3+ months.

Quote from Lkr : trying for no more than $40 since that puts the $35 E2500 refurb in my budget

Honestly the E2500 won't serve you wrong, a good router for what you're trying to do.

Quote from menace33 : Honestly the E2500 won't serve you wrong, a good router for what you're trying to do.

and dd-wrt should be stable on it soon enough. i'm just a bit apprehensive about buying refurb because of the warranty, but i had never had a bad router that didn't last at least 4 years *knocks on wood*

Quote from Lkr : and dd-wrt should be stable on it soon enough. i'm just a bit apprehensive about buying refurb because of the warranty, but i had never had a bad router that didn't last at least 4 years *knocks on wood*

Well think of it like this. If it can last you a year, maybe two, there will be an even stronger model out on the market that is cheaper than this E2500. If it goes longer, then hey...big bonus.