Maximum PC

Looking for a new router because my Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH has finally pushed me over the edge with its crappiness. I'm considering getting either the Cisco E4200 because its out now but the WNDR3700 is Maximum PCs best of best so thinking of waiting for the 3800. I need the NAS functionality and DLNA media server capability. I play a few online games and I connect my Blu ray player to watch netflix. I'm looking for a good router that isn't going to crash every few days and the wireless works reliably. Wireless reliability is the main reason why I want to get rid of the Buffalo because frequently the router won't let my iPhone connect by saying the WPA key is wrong, it does similar thing for the laptop. The router also has issues with the NAS disconnecting or show up empty. Is the E4200 and good router? Should I wait for WNDR3800? Is there something better out or coming out soon?

Thanks

While you wait for the best of the best, update the firmware on your present router, I'll bet it will work much better, I had to flash my Linksys router right out of the box to make it stable. It has worked flawlessly ever since.

Nasty

Already donethat. It actuall works better with older firmware.

Hope you saved the older firmware, if you did, reflash it back if it worked better.

Nasty

Benchmarkman,

If you don't mind, what did you end up going with and why. I'm considering the same two routers and the ASUS RT-N56U. Thanks.

What about the Netgear WNDR4500 router that was reviewed in the Holiday 2011 issue of MaximumPC? That router is the first wireless-N router that I have ever seen the Maximum PC reviewers excited about.

With these models being discussed, I'd just be careful with having only one source for reviews. I saw MPC ding the E4200 in the end scores, but if you read the article and look at the bench charts you really don't see why. I bought the E4200 and haven't had one hiccup one way or the other.

I've been leaning on the wireless side mostly as a support system until I get off my butt and finish the house LAN, but the two most used computers are hardwired. Both sides have been the most stable and powerful router I've used. It's not mounted in the most awesome spot either, but I have to walk a few houses down to start getting low actual throughput. Since it's couple of hours of tweaking, booting, and other day-1 stuff I've just rebooted it once...and that was on request of my ISP as they go through their checklist.

I'd just Google around a bit more for reviews on all these routers. I think it was a bit rough in the pages of MPC while others (even more network oriented sources) placed the E4200 on higher pillars as it should be. It's stable, it's pretty stinking fast off the wire, and has an awesome range...I'm not sure what to wait for. Again, I just mildly suggest to read the reviews in the mag again and come to your own conclusion. I felt it was much more clear after doing that myself.