Looking to upgrade broadband router

[Rhyso]

Currently have the Thomson built standard router provided by Plusnet which is now approaching 2 years old

In that time our household has added 2 iPhones, iPad, along with smart TV, Xbox, cloud storage, printer etc etc and I think its time its upgraded to something that can handle all the extra equipment 

The biggest problem I have is the front of my house is solid stone wall so reception can be patchy at best ( already run wireless detection software and swapped channels on my router to ensure im not clashing) so looking for something with good signal strength.  My router is located at the back of the house in the dining room next to the master socket

Saw this on the Gadget Show the other week
http://www.dabs.com/products/asus-rt-ac56u--wireless-ac1200-dual-band-usb3-0-gigabit-router-8TM9.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc%20product%20search&utm_content=Q200&utm_campaign=Networking%20-%20Routers%20and%20Switches%20-%20Routers&origin=pla

Or is there something out there that will better suit my needs 

[andy_k]

If you have solid walls just run a repeater or look at one of the ring main LAN systems with wi-fi adaptors.

For the most part wi-fi is not great if you live in old houses - we live in an Edwardian house, the router is located on the second floor and we get better reception in the garden than in the next room

[Rhyso]

Yeah i already have a couple of the Powerlink adaptors for behind the TV

Might look into one with wifi then 

[stealthwolf]

You need to work out at what speed the wireless devices are rated. EG if some are n and some are g, then you're better off getting a router that allows two wireless networks - one on g and one on n. Otherwise the whole network gets downrated to g speed. Dual band routers will help.

If everything runs at n-speed, just get an n-router and think about those powerline gadgets.

[Jay]

Only get a new router if the current one really isn't up to the job not just because you have all those new devices connected. Does the internet work better with less devices connected? I'd start by talking to PlusNet, they may be able to give you a new router FOC, hopefully they've moved away from the Thompson routers now.

Anything I'd recommend wouldn't be a home user based system/consumer priced.

[Rhyso]

Its just that in certain parts the signal drops a fair bit. Linzi's laptop has the most problems despite driver updates etc

I have also noticed my phone switching from wifi to 3G more often than normal    it used to be rock solid 

[Rhyso]

Ok the router runs on the G band

It would appear that the iPhone, iPad and my laptop run on the N band....that should explain the slowness then 

Need to check Linzi's but I suspect it might be N but its a year older than mine.

So any suggestions for a router? 

EDIT - Linzi's is a B/G wireless card    updated it to the latest drivers (went from 2007-2009!)

I have ordered another homeplug with wireless built in in the meantime so Im hopeful that will improve things but more speed out of my current devices might not be a bad thing....

[Jay]

I'd recommend a dual band router, I can't recommend any makes other than to stay away from Netgear. We've had so much hassle with Netgear products for our smaller customers who don't want to fork out for the expensive kit.

[Rhyso]

Thanks Jay

Ive got the TP Link Homeplugs so was thinking maybe this might compliment everything

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-WDR4300-Wireless-Gigabit-Router/dp/B00810P80S/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

[Shady Pioneer]

Being an Apple whore I have an AirPort Extreme which is piss easy to set up using an iPad or iPhone, uses dual networks and can set up a guest network for when friends/family come over (let's them have internet access without actually accessing your main network).

Very good signal in the flat I live in but my friend lives in an old cottage and uses the same router, he says it's much better using that.

It's not for everyone but just gives you another option.