On August 01 2010 08:54 tarpman wrote:
A lot of routers are cheap crappy things that, as you've found, don't last. The only router that I've ever been satisfied with, and thus the only one I'll recommend, is the Linksys WRT54GL. It's been popular for a long time, so they've released several revisions and it's only gotten better. I favour the L (Linux) variant specifically because IMO (this is strictly subjective though) the Linux-based firmware is more robust than the code in the other variants. If you're maxing out the G wireless or the 100Mbit ethernet and you need even more speed (hint: you aren't and you don't) I'd probably suggest the WRT350N; I've been rocking one of those for a couple of years now and don't have any complaints yet.
I also flash DD-WRT on every router I get. In my opinion it's miles ahead of any vendor firmware. The installation isn't terribly risky and the configuration's pretty easy to figure out (web interface like any un-modded router) but if you're not a technical user you might be more comfortable sticking with the safe and supported stock firmware.
Firmware is not responsible for disconnecting internet issues, unless its severely outdated.