Which modem router to get?

[Tbag]

I have a "up to 8mb" connection that comes through the phone line but dont know which router to get. I did a speed test using http://www.broadband.co.uk/broadband-speed-test.jsp to find what I really get and it came up with

Download 2608Kbps
Upload 350Kbps
the maximum theoretical speed achievable on your line via ADSL Max is 4.88Mb

I see routers with 54mbps, 108mbps or 300mbps and with the letter G, G+ MIMO or N.
From the connection speed I have is a router with 300mbps too fast for the connection so I wont benifit from it?

I was like the look of these
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/102721

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0503706894.121234...&category_oid=

My brother has a 2mb cable connection and has a Netgear 108mbps router and says the speed are sometimes faster than when it wired.

Will I be able to choose wether I want WEP/WPA security because ive been told to go with WPA?

thanks

[redwudz]

Wireless 'G' is the most common format these days. Most laptops are using that. More than fast enough for your internet connection. Wireless 'N' is newer and faster, but can be difficult to set up and the adapters for the computer are quite a bit more expensive.

Most any wireless router these days will be a 'G' and can also use the slower formats. 'N' routers can usually use them also.

I am using a Linksys at present and I find it fairly easy to configure. The Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router WRT54GL seems to be popular.
http://www.ciao.co.uk/Linksys_Wireless_G_Broadband_Router_WRT54GL__6465285

WPA should be available on most any modern wireless router.

I'm also assuming your ADSL modem has a ethernet output. USB output modems are very limited for use with routers.

Wired ethernet will always be faster than a wireless connection from the same source.

[Tbag]

Wireless 'G' is the most common format these days. Most laptops are using that. More than fast enough for your internet connection. Wireless 'N' is newer and faster, but can be difficult to set up and the adapters for the computer are quite a bit more expensive.

Most any wireless router these days will be a 'G' and can also use the slower formats. 'N' routers can usually use them also.

I am using a Linksys at present and I find it fairly easy to configure. The Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router WRT54GL seems to be popular.

WPA should be available on most any modern wireless router.

I'm also assuming your ADSL modem has a ethernet output. USB output modems are very limited for use with routers.

Wired ethernet will always be faster than a wireless connection from the same source.

I have a USB modem that the broadband company has provided which only connects via USB, the only other port is the RJ11 (i think) cable which goes into my telephone socket.

Can I still get a router? What is ethernet?

btw im thinking of getting the Netgear router

[redwudz]

I would first contact your ADSL company and see if they have Ethernet output modems available. That will make everything much simpler. They may also have a modem available that has a built in wireless router. This may be more common.

Routers that have USB connectors are usually just USB out, not for a input from a modem. I don't know of any routers that use USB inputs offhand, but I believe there may be a few.

Ethernet is the common connection for networking. It uses a connector similar to a telephone, a RJ45 with eight wires. Wikipedia explanation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet (Probably more info than you really want to know. )