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FOR FAMILIES: a router by Linksys
By Stephanie | November 15, 2009
A typical night in our house:
- Dinner ’round the table.
- Walk in our neighborhood.
- Bath.
- Books.
- Bedtime.
- Breath.
At approximately 8:00 pm every night, the house becomes quiet. Tim and I pull out our laptops and work side-by-side, our fingers tapping the keyboards and our minds energized by the silent togetherness. Often, we’ll stop to chat, to compare notes, to reflect on our day, to laugh about this-or-that. Sometimes, we’ll just work together and words won’t pass between us for a little while. That’s one of the nice things about knowing someone so well. Familiarity allows for comfortable quietness.
Because we are extremely “connected” to the web at night (and throughout the day a bit too), having a speedy wireless connection is of utmost importance. Being able to surf the internet efficiently and effortlessly drastically improves our days (and nights).
Cisco – one of the most-trusted names for network hardware – recently sent us the Simultaneous Dual-N-Band Wireless Router to review and I must say that it is both dependable and speedy. The router is easy to set up and easy to use – and even includes a Mac set up wizard for us Maccies. Tim swapped our Apple AirPort Extreme router with this one…and, thus far, he is super satisfied. As am I. Our network is more stable than ever.
Buying a router may not be the most glamorous gift, but it IS practical and usable. And – seriously – if I were writing out a wishlist, I would undoubtedly add “The Fastest Wireless Internet Available” to my list. My favorite kind of Christmas presents are presents that last beyond December. I like gifts that improve quality-of-life, that make day-to-day doings more doable.
A high-quality Linksys router will ensure that your family has faster wireless connectivity – an important thing if your family enjoys surfing the net, e-mailing friends, playing games, watching movies, listening to music, and more.
WIN IT! One winner will receive a Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (WRT320N; approximately $100) from Linksys. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Friday, November 27th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).
FOR A SECOND ENTRY: Blog or Tweet about my Christmas Gift Guide (or about this giveaway)…and leave a second comment telling me that you did.
*UPDATE* The winner is #68 Kim Young. Congratulations!
Topics: Uncategorized | 71 Comments »
November 15th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I agree with you about gifts that last past December, and to improve wireless performance, what a great idea!
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November 15th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
We gave a different Linksys router and my Hubby loves it. They seem to make high quality products.
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November 15th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
That is a great gift idea, I dont think that I would have ever thought of that. We use a cheap little linksys usb wireless adapter to “steal” internet from our neighbors, who know that we are by the way.
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November 15th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
I have no idea what kind of router we have, but we use the internet so much (especially, like you, the two of us at night at the same time) that I know this would be something we would like. Right now sometimes if we’re both working on the internet it gets a little slow.
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November 15th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I never thought about the speed of the wireless router making a difference but now you have me thinking! Especially since at night I’m on the computer and my husband is using the internet for his video games.
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November 15th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Now that we have had wireless routers, it’s hard to live without. I say routers because my first one broke down and for a few days I was lost without it. Got a new one and Linksys is the best. Love it.
And hubs and I can also be online on separate computers in silence and be happy.
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November 15th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
OH this would be perfect for our family! We pretty much do the same thing. And usually right after we all get home everyone is on the computer @ the same time for awhile! :)
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November 15th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Great idea Stephanie! I wouldn’t have thought of this as a gift, but now that you mention it I’m thinking of getting one for my sister’s family. Thanks!
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November 15th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
The miracle of a router!
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November 15th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Yes a rounter is a great idea- I totally agree with you on getting something usable then something that ends up in the church rummage sale box!
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November 15th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Ok, I feel a little bit like a dinosaur–but we only have one desktop computer, and therefore have not had a need for a wireless router. However, the desktop has been making some ominous sounds lately/randomly freezing up, and I’m pretty sure it’s going to need replacing soon–and we’re planning on getting a laptop to replace it.
So it would be super handy to already have a wireless router in hand when we get a laptop!
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November 15th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
tweeted on retweet=)
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November 15th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
I think any family would appreciate a gift like this ~ I wouldn’t have thought about it but it is something that everyone can use for a long time. We just got a router and have gone “wireless” at our home and love it. I hope to find other useful gifts like this for families.
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November 15th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Tweeted ~ http://twitter.com/susanlanai/status/5752473763
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November 15th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
I want a router that allows a usb modem to be connected directly to the router – that would be awesome. But I am very grateful we have a router at all since it allows me to work online from my bed in my jammies :)
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November 15th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
This would be perfect for my inlaws house – which I have to move into in a couple weeks. Hubby works in another state & since I’m due in 5 weeks… I would like to skype from the inlaws house so we can stay connected. They don’t use internet but internet is a must for me. I believe the one at their home (not usable) is from 10+ years ago that their older son had. The router you are offering is sleek & fast — awesome.
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November 15th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Not for me (we already have one) but I can see my dad loving this. A new gadget, and better productivity!
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November 15th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
I hadn’t thought about adding a router to our wish list – since we already have one… but ours has been acting up lately so thanks for this great idea!
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November 15th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
My husband is a super techy guy and would love this. He is always so hard to shop for and I have often had to do a return on something I thought he would love.
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November 15th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
We haven’t yet made the switch to wireless. This would definitely push us toward that… and then maybe I can get my laptop! :)
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November 15th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
The thought of having a wireless connection has never even entered my mind. But it would be nice to check email other places besides our school room.
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November 15th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Your night at home with your husband sounds almost identical to my night at home with mine. He pulls out his laptop and comes and sits by me while I work on my desktop. It is kind of fun. We too take the time to stop and talk about different things.
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November 15th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Wireless is where it’s at! I was intrigued to hear that this router proves to provide better connectivity than your Airport Extreme. Your evening sounds similar to ours with the exception of two computers – we only have one laptop.
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November 15th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
I am a tweeting fool!
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November 15th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
In our home, often times I have to shut down my computer so that my husband can do his work and one of our sons can do his homework. They tell me I am slowing them down! I could really show them with this Simultaneous Dual-N-Band Wireless Router!!!!!
A speedy and stable network sounds marvelous.
Many thanks, Cindi
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November 16th, 2009 at 6:14 am
We have Verizon Fios, and are considering buying 2 net books as opposed to our desktop computer. This wireless router would be perfect for us to use! Hubby & I enjoy the computer at night after the kiddies go to bed, like you!, but ours is in our living room so one of us is two rooms away inthe family room while hte other is on the computer. Not so much “us” time then! Thanks for sharing!!
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November 16th, 2009 at 9:10 am
We,ve only been wireless for a little less then a year now. I would never go back. I love being able to move my lap top whereever I need to be. I’ve never thought about diffferent kinds of routers before. This would make the perfect present for my parents. Thanks.
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November 16th, 2009 at 10:19 am
i never even knew about wireless routers until after i paid a bundle for wireless through my cable company. This would be interesting to try, and cheaper i’ sure
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November 16th, 2009 at 10:29 am
This is such a great gift idea, and could revolutionize someone’s internet experience!!
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November 16th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Our cheap-o Linksys keeps freezing up and we have to unplug it, wait 10-20 minutes and then restart it. We’d love a new one but it isn’t in the cards right now. Would LOVE to win one.
PS…What the heck did we do before wireless?
PPS…What the heck did we do before the Internet?!
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November 16th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Hehe. When I read the title of this post in my reader I thought you were referring to routers of the woodworking kind. I thought, ” I gotta read this to see how she works that into a good family gift.” Just imagine, the family all hanging out in the workshop each taking a turn routing the edge of the new coffee table. It could work.
We’re not wireless (woodworking or internet) in our home but we sure wouldn’t mind it!
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November 16th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Would love the route! We also frequently use the computers after kiddos are in bed-unfortunately that still means two different rooms in this house…
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November 16th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Actually, I think my little sis is in need of one of these. I actually use this brand at my house and like it.
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November 16th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
I blogged about your gift guide! It will post Tuesday, November 17th.
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November 17th, 2009 at 5:46 am
I would absolutely love 2 win this router. This would make a great Christmas gift 4 “Me”.
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November 17th, 2009 at 9:22 am
blogged ya
http://notimemom.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/contests-11-16-09/
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November 17th, 2009 at 9:59 am
I am constantly on the internet because I am a self taught photographer. I like to find photoshop tutorials to brush up on and lots of different things to try in order to make my pictures better. Our internet it so slow, though, and it means I am on the computer a lot longer than I’d like to be.
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November 17th, 2009 at 10:03 am
We’d love something like this, we have wireless N equipped laptops at home, but no wireless N router. Thanks!
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November 17th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
We could so use this! Our router keeps getting overwhelmed with the amount of traffic that goes across it. NOt that I’m sure this one would be able to handle it, either. What are we doing with all that bandwidth? I’m sorry. That’s classified.
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November 17th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/Getalonghome/statuses/5815330245
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November 18th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
This is a great gift idea! Nice because it’s unconventional, no one would ever think about giving a router for a gift, but I love it because it’s something you’ll actually use.
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November 19th, 2009 at 2:26 am
Who couldn’t use this? Wireless is the way to go..now if I only had a remote to mute the kids life would be perfect(just kidding)
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November 19th, 2009 at 2:27 am
I left a tweet
hollowsins
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November 19th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Great family gift! The internet is something we not only enjoy but also rely on.
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November 21st, 2009 at 2:55 pm
What a great family gift. My husband would love something like this. He’s what I call a computer nerd.
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November 21st, 2009 at 3:03 pm
We’re going to be buying a laptop and this would be great to have wireless in the house w/o having to buy one to do so. Also I’d like to get a phone with wifi on it and this would work. =)
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November 21st, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Router stuff is the hubby’s neck of the woods at my house. I showed this one to him last night, and he gave his big thumbs up stating it would be much faster than his. I just got his old computer as he is working on an upgrade. I am loving the faster computer so why not add to the speed with a new router? Another great gift idea!
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November 21st, 2009 at 7:52 pm
AH! Our router is *this close* to hitting the hay. I am constantly getting stuck when I am uploading my photos and such, a new router would be awesome. I dont know much about this brand, might have to look them up!
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November 21st, 2009 at 9:26 pm
We are SO not very technologically educated. Very sad since it is such a shame when something goes wrong with the computer/internet! We’re pretty sure our old router died a while ago, but we just hooked the computer directly to the modem, so we didn’t really have to find out if it did or didn’t work!
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November 21st, 2009 at 11:43 pm
We are about to have to buy one of these when I finally get my laptop! To win one would be MUCH better! =)
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November 21st, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Tweeted http://twitter.com/JacobsenFamily/status/5940264711
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November 22nd, 2009 at 12:00 am
we have an older linksys wireless network, that we love but it is a bit slow
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November 22nd, 2009 at 1:33 pm
My boyfriend and I bought one of these quite a few years ago, so it’s def lacking in effectiveness at this point. I would love to own this updated one! Linksys is a great company and make great products – we always buy this brand!
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November 22nd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Tweet! http://twitter.com/ktkatherine/status/5954700506
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November 23rd, 2009 at 9:12 pm
we JUST bought a new router last week. what a difference!!!
we have recently switched our home phone to our cell phone. we also use the cell to tap into our internet to talk that way while we are home so it doesn’t come out of our plan.
this new router has made the signal and quality of talking over the internet so much better.
my husband bought a Belkin router. ever heard of it?
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November 24th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
great gift idea! We too enjoy quiet time together starting at around 8 pm… many nights that includes each of us on our laptops taking care of a few things!
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November 26th, 2009 at 9:12 am
I don’t know much about routers other than I can use my laptop anywhere in or near my house and get the internet as well as access to my husband’s computer from my own through our network as well as all our hard drives(2 Seagate Go drives and a seagate external hard drive)So I am sure he would love a new router.
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November 26th, 2009 at 9:38 am
I agree about practical gifts. Something that lasts beyond December 26 is way better than some romantic, cutesy gift. This router would make a perfect gift for so many people on my list, me included!
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November 26th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Tweeted this giveaway
http://twitter.com/pixie13sweeps/status/6085716834
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November 26th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
The router might not be a traditional type of gift for Christmas, but it would make a great family gift. That being said, it would be great to have a good wireless router.
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November 26th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
blogged about gift guide http://vickieb52.blogspot.com/2009/11/metropolitan-mamas-christmas-gift-guide.html
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November 26th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I am using my sons right now and am going to loose it when he makes his final move, so I would love to be able to replace it with the same brand and model.
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November 27th, 2009 at 9:59 am
My sister-in-law needs a router-it would make a great Christmas gift for her
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November 27th, 2009 at 10:14 am
What timing! I was just looking to set up a wireless connection for my laptop. This would be super useful!
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November 27th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Would love this since we have multiple laptops and computers throughout the house. Right now the connection isn’t so hot and sometimes very weak. This looks like it would fit the bill!
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November 27th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Our son-in-law just installed a new router. When we are at their house I can tell a difference in the response time and the stability.
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November 27th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
We are still not set up for wireless. This would help us take that next step.
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November 27th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
My husband is extremely techie. He would really like this cool looking router. The specs sound way better than the one we have. He would be extremely impressed that I knew enough to tell the difference. lol.
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November 27th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
We spend a LOT of time during nights and weekends on our own individual computers, so this would be great to win!
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November 27th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
This Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router from Linksys sounds great, it says “Your wireless connections are radio band selectable to avoid interference in your area.” The one we have right now gets interference once in a while.
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November 27th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Nights are when I do my work online as well and I want to get it done as fast as possible at times. A slow computer/connection is never fun and makes the work drag on. But when everything is working at it’s peak its wonderful
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