Do I really need a new wireless router?

[Belonging to Abba]

I have a Linksys router from over ten years ago that I am thinking of using when I sign up for home internet. Should I buy a new router because of security concerns? The older Linksys router required an ethernet cable connection and a CD rom drive for installing, neither of which my laptop has, but I can get an external CD rom drive and Ethernet to USB connector. However the Linksys setup was complicated and I had to chat online with Linksys to set it up properly in the past. It has been reset so I would need to set it up again. There is a good deal on Spectrum internet now, so I may want to get the router that is less complicated to set up so I can make sure it is working when the Spectrum installation person comes to my location. Best Buy told me that the newer routers can download all the installation files over the Internet, I think without an installation CD, but I have to ask about this. I don’t have a need for a really great router since I live at an apartment and don’t need to cover a large area or distance and I will be the only person using it. My main purposes are basic web-browsing on a laptop, email, and YouTube streaming, etc. Also if I get a new router which brand would you recommend?

 

[AlexB23]

I have a Linksys router from over ten years ago that I am thinking of using when I sign up for home internet. Should I buy a new router because of security concerns? The older Linksys router required an ethernet cable connection and a CD rom drive for installing, neither of which my laptop has, but I can get an external CD rom drive and Ethernet to USB connector. However the Linksys setup was complicated and I had to chat online with Linksys to set it up properly in the past. It has been reset so I would need to set it up again. There is a good deal on Spectrum internet now, so I may want to get the router that is less complicated to set up so I can make sure it is working when the Spectrum installation person comes to my location. Best Buy told me that the newer routers can download all the installation files over the Internet, I think without an installation CD, but I have to ask about this. I don’t have a need for a really great router since I live at an apartment and don’t need to cover a large area or distance and I will be the only person using it. My main purposes are basic web-browsing on a laptop, email, and YouTube streaming, etc. Also if I get a new router which brand would you recommend?

Good luck. @JesseBassett could help you with this one

 

[JesseRaymondBassett]

So is this a router/modem combo or just a router?

 

[chevyontheriver]

I have a Linksys router from over ten years ago that I am thinking of using when I sign up for home internet. Should I buy a new router because of security concerns? The older Linksys router required an ethernet cable connection and a CD rom drive for installing, neither of which my laptop has, but I can get an external CD rom drive and Ethernet to USB connector. However the Linksys setup was complicated and I had to chat online with Linksys to set it up properly in the past. It has been reset so I would need to set it up again. There is a good deal on Spectrum internet now, so I may want to get the router that is less complicated to set up so I can make sure it is working when the Spectrum installation person comes to my location. Best Buy told me that the newer routers can download all the installation files over the Internet, I think without an installation CD, but I have to ask about this. I don’t have a need for a really great router since I live at an apartment and don’t need to cover a large area or distance and I will be the only person using it. My main purposes are basic web-browsing on a laptop, email, and YouTube streaming, etc. Also if I get a new router which brand would you recommend?

I like discrete pieces of equipment. I liked that approach even back with component stereo. As one thing dies or becomes obsolete you don't have to change everything.

As to a cable modem, your cable company might supply you one and charge you monthly for renting it. SO I went out and bought one. Mine is about 4 years old, an Arris SB6141, now discontinued. All you need, unless you have a crazy fast cable ISP is something that is DOCSIS 3.0 compatible. I would avoid the bleeding edge of modem technology unless you really have a need for it. Just concentrate on DOCSIS compatibility. If your ISP has DOCSIS 4.0 capability and if they specify that you need DOCSIS 4 compatibility then go for that. If they will still support DOCSIS 3 for several years and you don't need screaming speed you might save money with an older modem.

I do recommend a router that you own instead of a cable company supplied router. And that probably means WiFi enabled routers. Most laptops do not have Ethernet ports anymore anyhow. So you either get one of those USB to RJ-45 adapters or use the WiFi. Mine does 2.4 and 5 GHz. I think it is IEEE 802.11n. Works for me. Newer standards are 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, and 802.11bn is coming in maybe four years. Each is faster than the older one, but backward compatibility has so far been maintained. If you don't need blinding speed you might be able to find an older 802.11ac WiFi router for cheap. Then too it depends on what your laptop is capable of. Even semi-old laptops can sometimes have their WiFi upgraded with a simple and cheap USB adapter. I did that on an older laptop.


As to the range of a router, a good design will allow you to customize the power. Since you don't need coverage for a mansion but a few rooms you can turn down signal power. ALSO, check to see what channels all the other WiFi are broadcasting on and pick a channel that's relatively quiet. My son's dormitory was absolutely overwhelmed with competing WiFi signals to the point where none of them were usable. Use just enough power and pick a quieter channel.

As to brands, for a WiFi router an Asus would be an OK brand. Probably also LinkSys. If I had lots of money I would get a Turris Omnia 2020, but I'm just a poor boy looking to get by avoiding the bleeding edge of technology.

 

[JesseRaymondBassett]

I use T-Mobile Home Internet so I do not have external routers/modems. But to the original poster, if they still need assistance I can provide guidance.

 

[Wookiee]

I have a Linksys router from over ten years ago that I am thinking of using when I sign up for home internet. Should I buy a new router because of security concerns?

Yes.

The older Linksys router required an ethernet cable connection and a CD rom drive for installing, neither of which my laptop has, but I can get an external CD rom drive and Ethernet to USB connector.

Most new ones do it over wireless.

However the Linksys setup was complicated and I had to chat online with Linksys to set it up properly in the past. It has been reset so I would need to set it up again. There is a good deal on Spectrum internet now, so I may want to get the router that is less complicated to set up so I can make sure it is working when the Spectrum installation person comes to my location.

If you don't really know what you're doing, I would recommend just going with whatever your ISP is providing (unless the equipment cost is prohibitive; in Australia it's usually a nominal one-off fee or free with the contract).

Best Buy told me that the newer routers can download all the installation files over the Internet, I think without an installation CD, but I have to ask about this.

Sort of. Routers come with their own firmware, and a lot of user friendly ones have a wizard that asks who your ISP is and guide through that. Generally there's no additional installation other than firmware updates, and usually that's manufacturer specific, not ISP specific. Either way, the inclusion of a CD is increasingly rare these days as most people are using devices that don't have disc readers anymore.

I don’t have a need for a really great router since I live at an apartment and don’t need to cover a large area or distance and I will be the only person using it. My main purposes are basic web-browsing on a laptop, email, and YouTube streaming, etc. Also if I get a new router which brand would you recommend?

TP-Link is reasonably cheap, decent and provide firmware (read: security and stability) updates for the reasonable lifetime of the router (which is generally about 5 years). You don't need anything overly expensive.

 

[Belonging to Abba]

Thanks for your advice. I bought a Linksys router today. However, I discovered that my cell phone company lets me use mobile hotspot from my phone for Internet so I am not sure I need to get home Internet for just a laptop. I got an advertisement from Spectrum claiming $30 a month for Internet for 2 years so the price may be low enough that I may still get home Internet and this way save some on my cellular data use.

 

[Diamond72]

I have a Linksys router from over ten years ago that I am thinking of using when I sign up for home internet. Should I buy a new router because of security concerns? The older Linksys router required an ethernet cable connection and a CD rom drive for installing, neither of which my laptop has, but I can get an external CD rom drive and Ethernet to USB connector. However the Linksys setup was complicated and I had to chat online with Linksys to set it up properly in the past. It has been reset so I would need to set it up again. There is a good deal on Spectrum internet now, so I may want to get the router that is less complicated to set up so I can make sure it is working when the Spectrum installation person comes to my location. Best Buy told me that the newer routers can download all the installation files over the Internet, I think without an installation CD, but I have to ask about this. I don’t have a need for a really great router since I live at an apartment and don’t need to cover a large area or distance and I will be the only person using it. My main purposes are basic web-browsing on a laptop, email, and YouTube streaming, etc. Also if I get a new router which brand would you recommend?

What is the speed on the older one. Some of the older door bells and stuff requires the older speed. I have enough trouble getting something brand new to work. I would not want to mess around with something old and outdated. That could be slower than the new ones. Spectrum requires passwords for everything so it is a big problem to set up. I have some lights and stuff like that on the wifi and my furnace even my tv there is a lot of stuff you have to use the password to try to get it to hook up so you can use it.