Did you get a N-router? If yes, it is capable of faster speeds and is probably dual-band. But my understanding is that if you use even one device on the network which is not N-compatible, the entire network will slow down to what a G-router supplies. If you bought a G-router there's nothing to worry about except you will never have the faster speeds that N provides.

I was never happy with Linksys. The Netgear N-router I once had was pretty good but now I'm using another G-router provided by my ISP.

I'd follow the advice of your internet provider, they can probably help you with setup too. I presume you know whether you need a router-modem combination unit or just a router?

Linksys is a top brand, though I think all makes are susceptible to having individual units that can be DOA. If you set it up and get it functioning, expect many years of service from it. More than 4 anyway.

Azinoh, most home users rarely have tasks that come anywhere near to bandwidth capacity limits on their routers. Even multiple wifi users sharing one router will find the gating item to be the internet connection itself, not the router. The one thing that could be affected would be when moving VERY LARGE files around a network, again something that few people do. In such cases, a wired connection is a better choice than wifi.

I have use Linksys for several years now and very happy with it. When I set it up it told me it was not secure. I called Linksys and a very nice rep told me how to make it secure.

This post was edited by EmmaR on Fri, May 2, 14 at 15:20

I tend to like Linksys. Just bought a Linksys E2500, I needed a new one and it was on sale at an excellent price. Not hooked up yet so cannot give any comments on it's capabilities.

Ha! I thought this was going to be a Porter Cable vs Craftsman!

For tech stuff my lazy way is to go to Newegg and use their ratings. It is a good tech crowd and they rate well.

I have a Linksys 3500 with the N transmission turned off. It's a few years old and has been solid and reliable.

Egghead's customer base sometimes strikes me as somewhat too geeky and that makes me skeptical about some reviews. Egghead has decent prices but often Amazon's prices are better. Amazon is my go to site for many things and when I find what I want, I stop looking.

Why would I need a dual?

Sorry I missed that question. Depending on the devices connecting to the wifi signal, dual band MAY be needed. Or may not be.

"N" is the newest wifi type using a frequency of 5 (and 2.4) GHz. Before "N" the most popular wifi was "G" using 2.4 GHz frequency (there was also "A" and "B" more years back). If you have any devices with a design more than 3 or 4 years old, they would have G but maybe not N. Newer devices all have N and often G.

In theory, an N router will allow a G device to connect (at G speed, slower than N speed). But some G devices don't perform well on an N router (I have several important G devices that need a strong and constant streaming signal that don't do well with N). My own router has N (5.0 and 2.4) and G (2.4) and you can pick and choose what you use. I use G only with N and 5.0 turned off.

If you're connecting only newer devices, an N only router would be fine. But a dual one would be ok too and you'd have flexibility how to use it. This is like the question "Do I really need electric windows on my car?" The answer is "the better quality model that's worth getting comes with that already."

Others may disagree and are welcome to share their views.