Time For Router Upgrade?

[roadman]

We have a Linksys WRT54G2 v1.5 in the basement and we just updated the firmware to hook up with our new Chrome Cast.

We have 2 college kids with smartphones, the college kids have laptops, I have a smartphone, a wireless desktop, my wife has a tablet, a work desktop, chrome cast and our youngest uses the family laptop. Also, xbox is hard wired to the router. There is only three people at home on a full-time basis, if that matters.

Before the firmware update, over the last couple of years, several times people have requested to, "Unplug the router" because their particular electronic device was dropped.

I have a new smartphone and am able to use WI-FI calling.(free for T-Mobile and we live in a 2G area) For a few of the days, the voices on the other end have been breaking up, hard to hear.

1. Do we need to upgrade the router? Probably bought it 4-5 yrs ago.
2. If the answer is yes, any suggestions on a stronger router that will keep the electronic devices on more often and make a better connection for my upstairs WI-FI calls? (work at home during the day)

I'm all ears, like to stay with Linksys if the solution is to upgrade.

Thanks!!!!!!

[fishepa]

Re: Time For Router Upgrade?

If I were you I would upgrade the router and see if it fixes your problems. If it doesn't, take back the new one. Also before you do that, might want to try changing the wireless channel to 1 or 11. Could help clear things up if there is WIFI around you.

[Bruins]

Re: Time For Router Upgrade?

Give these articles a look when you're looking to decide which router to get:

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-cheap-router-is-the-linksys-ea2700/

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/asus-rt-n56u/

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wi-fi-router-asus-rt-n66u/

[slickdtc]

Re: Time For Router Upgrade?

There is not much more annoying then when your devices don't get the signal they always have gotten, seemingly completely random.

Fought that battle for years when I lived at home. Since I've moved into this apartment complex, no problems whatsoever. It's nice to read this and not take it for granted for a bit. But I know now that it's on my mind, my router is gonna start giving me trouble any day now...

[ODogg]

Re: Time For Router Upgrade?

Here's what I got, works great, it's cheap ($45) plus allows you to connect up a USB hard disk to stream media...very very easy to setup too...a wizard walks you through it.....you can also manually change anything later as well if you like..

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1