Belkin or Linksys Wireless Equipment?

[sechs]

I recently moved to a place with two floors. I've decided to go wireless to get the Internet to the laptop downstairs.

I'm going to spring the extra money to go ahead and get the 802.11g-ish equipment; and, since the prices differences are so marginal, get the routers over the pure APs, for the extra wired flexibility.

After some research, I have narrowed the field of choices down to either getting a Belkin F5D7230 with a matching F5D7010 notebook card, or a Linksys WRT54G with a WPC54G card. The two sets are based upon the same Broadcom chipset and have similar performance in tests.

The Belkin pair is slightly cheaper, looks more attractive, and appear to have easier setup and maintenance, so I lean slightly towards them.

I am curious, however, whether anyone has any opinions one way or the other on either set (Belkin or Linksys), as well as one the choice between the two.

Thanks!

[Ed_S]

sechs, I would have posted this sooner, but I typed out my reply, saved it - a habit I've developed - then hit the submit button only to find the database problem nailed me while I was typing...

Recently (last week) did this myself. I read reviews before shopping, and I wanted to go with 802.11G also, but the prices of 802.11B were just too tempting. The highest rated B equipment I read of was D-Link, and that's what I bought. DI-614+ router and DWL-520+ PCI card. (That "plus" is important! This is the enhanced 802.11B version.)
And I've had D-Link before & trust them.

I installed & configured the router in a matter of minutes & had it up on my existing wired system. Installed the net card in one downstairs, about 35 ft away & down one level. Worked flawlessly on the first try.

As to speed, I can't find or measure any difference between wired & wireless machines, so I don't know what the real-world advantage of G would be. Both connect to the net perfectly, both return the same test results at DSL Reports. BTW, I'm on cable rated @ 768/128. I've got file & print sharing enabled & the wireless machine opens remote files just like they were local, and I can't judge the print speed since it's done before I can climb the stairs to the printer!

Anyway, I'd definately & strongly recommend D-Link !!!!

[pickel]

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=6

The best IMO

[M_Six]

I have a Linksys 802.11B wireless router at home. It's been rock solid for over one year. But the Linksys wireless PCMCIA cards don't get the best reviews. The best are the Orinoco Gold cards. Great reviews everywhere. I have one in my laptop and it works great. I get excellent signal strength one floor up and at the opposite end of my house from the router. The Linksys routers can also use the wireless signal booster if you need it. I have that installed too, although I probably didn't need it.

[Telexen]

If you don't want to go with D-Link...my vote goes to Belkin. They make a lot of quality products.

[sechs]

Per the original post, D-liink was not a choice....

I've already gone with the Belkin. Thanks everyone.

[Darthgary]

They are both pretty good. My favorite is Netgear.