Gotta say I don't really agree with any of you. Linksys is ****ing garbage. Plain and simple. The suggestions here assume a level of end user knowledge that isn't realistic. Next everyone will be recommending people go for $30,000 Cisco routers, a SAN, fiber switches and their own cabinet with an integrated HVAC unit. :roll: If the OP buys a router and flashes it with the linux firmware it will immediately void the warranty and entitlement to support.
Most people don't even know enough to lock-down the security on their router; if it wasn't integrated to the setup CD's which ship with the router many people still wouldn't be doing it. Anyone with enough technical abilities to flash the Linksys router with a linux OS should just skip right to pfSense or M0n0wall. But then if most people have those abilities they wouldn't be asking for help to begin with. I don't mean any disrespect, just making a point.
If anyone is considering a consumer level router such as an Asus or a D-Link unit they should opt for a unit which has 2+ antennas to help with the signal. A single antenna unit will only offer limited coverage. As much as I like both of those brands, even they need a couple of antennas to be useful.
Also worth noting is that the
N speed wireless sometimes only works as advertised when you're using specific hardware. For example, lets say you buy a D-Link
N router but use the integrated wireless card on your laptop, you'll only get the performance of whatever the laptop is equipped with. In order to get the "full experience" as advertised you would also need to buy a D-Link
N standard wireless card or usb device.
Plus, the full speed of the wireless only matters if you were transferring massive files across between your computer and another laptop or device on the same network. Otherwise the only benefit of using the
N standard is the somewhat improved range. Mixing brands of wireless and trying to achieve the
N performance won't work very well either, so wherever possible try to use the same brand of equipment.
Edit: This also looks like a bit of fun to try, I'd be interested to know what
effect (that's for you Petraeus
) it has on the signal.
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Wi-Fi-Booster-Using-Only-a-Beer-Can
) and it would be on the sticker on the bottom of the router. Also, which netbook do you have and which exact Mac computer does your roommate have? At best we can solve your problem with a firmware flash, a bit of carboard, scotch tape and tinfoil. At worst, we can hit the ballpark of your budget.
