Got a question about technology? Ask it here. Discussion of hardware, software, TiVos, multi-region DVDs, Windows, Macs, LINUX, hand-helds, iPods, anything tech related. Better than any helpdesk!
Why do routers fail so often, anyway? Isn't the entire thing solid state? Shouldn't they last longer than, say, your television?
Well, I've had this one for at least 4 years (possibly longer), and I got it from Ginger, so she'd used it for a while before that.
My router and the CRT monitor that refused to die have been my longest lasting computer-related equipment. I wish I could find a printer that lasted that long.
Our Samsung SCX-4521F multifunction printer has been a rock, it works great, though the automatic document feeder can be finicky at times when running a lot of paper through.
My Athlon XP 1700+ and ASUS motherboard have also lasted forever. It was my computer for a couple of years, then a kid's computer for a year or so, and now is our DVR and has been running 24-7 for about 4 years.
Must just be my perception then? It seems like people complain about routers failing a lot.
I dunno. I've had a flaky router or two.
I went through three Linksys (returned 2, kept 1) and the one that works was never great. My Dad had a Belkin router than turned into a brick. OTOH, I have an SMC that probably still works fine today, but didn't have wireless and my Netgear one that has never failed. So I've seen unreliable and solid.
The cable internet help guy recommended linksys, but he says that's what they used at comcast. I can't help wondering if its because they're good or they got a deal.
It looks like Best Buy will be selling a $250 laptop, Probably a Celeron 900, 2GB of RAM, and 160GB HDD. That's getting seriously cheap.
[link]
After an earlier discussion, my next router (which might be soon!) will not be a linksys.
Shouldn't they last longer than, say, your television?
My first television lasted me 13 years. And then I gave it away to someone when I moved. The next two TVs I had, including mine now, were used. So that's 3 TVs in 20 years, with 10+ years of use for all of them.