Member Avatar for katioli

Hi, I'm a newbie to this site and also new to wireless router purchasing. Here's my situation:

I recently purchased a refurb Compaq laptop (CQ50-139NR) and need to buy a router that works with this - 802.11 b/g WLAN.

My desktop computer is located in a second story room, and the internet connection is Time Warner Cable. Also, it's running on XP, but the new laptop is Vista. Is that an issue?

Does anyone have some buying tips for me? What I should look for and what to avoid?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by maximus1980

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Brief follow-up that pulls the advice together for and references the earlier replies from , , and without repeating specific model suggestions.

Start with a checklist before buying. Confirm the laptop's wireless adapter type and driver support (look in Device Manager or the adapter properties) so you know whether it only works on older bands or can use newer ones. Match the router to your real needs: one that supports both legacy devices and newer devices (dual-band is a safe bet), has current security (WPA2 or WPA3), and receives firmware updates from the vendor.

Coverage and placement matter as much as the router. With machines on different floors, plan for central placement, higher mounting, or a multi-unit mesh / range-extension solution if signals drop. If you prefer a single router, prioritize models with good antenna/MIMO performance and gigabit Ethernet ports so wired devices get full bandwidth. If your ISP supplies a combined modem/router, consider using bridge/modem-only mode to avoid double NAT when adding your own router.

Security, support, and features to check on the spec sheet: WPA2/WPA3 and AES, an admin password that can be changed, guest network capability, QoS for prioritizing video/games, USB or NAS options only if needed, and reputable firmware support. If you want advanced control later, look for models supported by third-party firmwares—just note flashing risks and warranty issues.

Practical setup tips: test first with a wired connection to the router to isolate problems, update the router firmware before exposing it to the internet, update laptop wireless drivers, and change default SSID/admin password. Buy from a retailer with a reasonable return policy so you can verify coverage in your home.

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Member Avatar for HoustonIT

I prefer the Linksys WRT54GL router. Vista and XP can both connect to a wifi network, they just go about it a little differently.

Member Avatar for cguan_77

Agree with HoustonIT, linksys is one of a good choice..

Member Avatar for maximus1980

I would suggest a netgear wireless router (WGR614), also the MSI RG60SE are excellent.

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