Buying a Cheap Wireless Router for Home Use

I just made an online purchase of the Aztech 802.11b/g Wireless Broadband Router WL830RT4 the other day. At first I wanted to buy the larger AZTECH ADSL Wireless G 4 Port Ethernet USB Combo Router DSL605EW but it was out of stock. Anyway, I did not want to spend so much money on a router system. Nonetheless, given the choice, I would have bought the ADSL modem plus router package.

Do you need more than one ADSL modem?

However, after coming to my senses, I still have an ADSL modem which I use at present so I bought the cheaper wireless router only version. I paid about $45 for the product including shipping by courier within Malaysia & expected to receive the wireless router within three days. It's quite a nifty looking wireless router with its large 5dbi antenna, providing better coverage & further range.

Some features of the Aztech Wireless Broadband Router WL830RT4:

• eXtended Range™ support to boost your wireless network range to up to 3 times.
  Up to 54Mbps fast wireless data rate.
• Enhanced wireless security with 64/128/152 - bit WEP/WPA keys and AES encryption.
• eXtended Range™ feature interoperable with other third party devices.
  Extensive network usage/parental control

Thinking of upgrading the wireless router at your home?

I did take a look at a newer 802.11 n wireless router, the Aztech WL950RT4 Wireless N Router from Aztech but it is priced at about thrice more the cost of the one I bought. I pondered upon the use of the 802.11 n in my home: Its top speed is about 270Mbps provided that all connected devices are of 802.11 n standard too. I do not want the rest of my family to be using more bandwidth than the amount I am currently experiencing on a direct connection which is about 100Mbps. A slow internet speed is horrible! Also, a few questions came to my mind.

Who uses an 802.11 n laptop in my home? Nobody

When will I reckon be using an 802.11 n laptop? In about 2 years

Do I have other devices that are of 802.11 n standard? No

After answering the questions above, I arrived upon the decision that an 802.11 n wireless router will not be of optimal use in my home at the moment. The rest was easy. Do note that you can also download data sheets (detail brochures) of the Aztech products in PDF format over at Aztech.com. I don't know about Aztech sites for other parts of the world but the Malaysian site sure allows for the downloading. Anyway, you may want to try it!

I received my Aztech 802.11b/g Wireless Broadband Router WL830RT4 today via Skynet courier today. Skynet sounds like the robotic corporation that created the Terminator machines in Hollywood movies. Funny! Anyway, I found the device to be much smaller than I expected! My expectations of the device to be 'Plug & Play' was easily shattered when I plugged everything correctly to my computer & ADSL modem but the thing did not play!

Don't you just feel crapped when something does not work as you expected?

So maybe the device is not a real 'Plug & Play' device. I can't be sure but I sure thought that it was supposed to be one of them! I called the TMNET Streamyx help line & as much as the support personnel wanted to help me they could not because routers are not their technical expertise. I was advised to call the Aztech vendor for installation help.

Do you expect fast & efficient customer service?

Soon after, I called the Aztech support in Malaysia. I only had like half an hour before the support ended their office hours at 5.45pm daily. Sad to say that they only had one technician at the Malaysian Aztech office as the other technician was out on field work. I was asked to call again after ten minutes which I did & the technician was still busy. I gave them my contact numbers & told them to call me as soon as possible.

Heck, my wireless network connection cannot wait! Of course, the half an hour soon passed & as I expected, there was no call from the Aztech support technician. Well, no choice for me but to wait for the next day to resolve the situation. I hope the solution is not complicated which is usually the case with new computer devices. It is just that we typical computer users do not know how to go about doing it!