Need help picking out new router.

[inflames988]

right now i have basic 802.11b router and cards in 5 computers. the signal works OK on three. the other two are in the basement, one works bearably and the other is terrible cuz its a built in laptop card. i want to replace the one in that laptop with an external, and get a router that will provide better signal--would an 802.11g router only help cards that are 802.11g? even if it isnt, i could still get a new router and one card for the slow laptop, slowly replace the rest if needed. i want something cheap in terms of router, what confuses me is each brand has several different g-type routers but some are like extreme, super, whatever. i want something say, under 70ish for the router, 40ish for the card...the card i am replacing in a LAPTOP.

the link i posted ot the comparison doesnt work. its
http://community.webshots.com/user/muskie88
anywho it was just showing how much better the 9600pro is than the one i was lookin at bfor

[inflames988]

would the new router make everything FASTER or have a STRONGER signal around the whole house? i picked out a d-link extreme G one thats 55 after mail in rebate for the card and router together. either way it'd be better but i might keep the old router/get new card.

[glc]

Spend your money on a high gain antenna instead of a new router. A new router will probably not increase your range and signal strength. The antenna by itself may make the laptop usable.

[inflames988]

ok--ill just get the new card then. the problem is its a crappy internal card made by DELL. i havent seen a dell wirless card that works well in my life. the internal card really slows it down--i installed the card from another laptop in it once and it got 100% signal where the built in card only got around 40. as for a bigger antenna, the kind on my router cant be screwed on and off so im stuck there.

[glc]

If you want raw power, get a Linksys WRT54GX - and hold on to your wallet! I think that sucker can power a whole neighborhood.

[GRP]

How many of your computers are laptops? The best and easiest solution is to use wired cards for non portables. Wired cards are very cheap, have the highest security and reliability. Computers in the basement are but a drilled hole away. You just need one wire to the basement and a cheap switch to get the other computer or computers on the network.

[inflames988]

Originally Posted by GRP How many of your computers are laptops? The best and easiest solution is to use wired cards for non portables. Wired cards are very cheap, have the highest security and reliability. Computers in the basement are but a drilled hole away. You just need one wire to the basement and a cheap switch to get the other computer or computers on the network.

ya but i dont kno how to get thru the walls.
router: family room, left side of house, middle floor
pc 1: top floor, middle of house
pc 2: second floor, rigth side of house as far from router as possible
laptop 1: second floor right
laptop 2: left side of basement
laptop 3: right side of basemnt