Cheap, small wireless router options? Halp!

User166092 on 28/11/2015 - 13:05

Hey ozbargain,

Long story short my mom banished the wireless router as my brother can't go two minutes without gaming and she was getting pissed. I'm just using my phone data but I only have a gigabyte and with insta and fb I burn through it in no time and I'm also starting to miss YouTube and stuff so I'm in search of the cheapest way to get back on the internet.

Sooo I'm in need of a small, cheap wireless router that works well streaming YouTube and downloading movies and stuff. I know its a big ask but I don't really want to spend more than 50 dollars because im 17 and broke af and its also gotta be small and compact so that I can take it away and store it when I'm not using it so my bro can't get on it cos then my mom will actually lose her shitake mushrooms.

Has anyone a suggestion?

Thanks.

Computing

Comments

  • nocure on 28/11/2015 - 13:27
    +1

    my mom will actually lose her shitake mushrooms.

    Classic

    Do you want to still connect to your home network or are you after something more portable like a pocket modem

  • nikkirose on 28/11/2015 - 13:31

    a netgear wireless extender may help, they plug into the wall, and will fit in your pocket, I do not exactly understand what you are trying to do, use your actual internet or pull free internet out of thin air? If so then you need a merikai and hope there are others with one in your local area.

    • User166092 on 28/11/2015 - 13:44

      I just need a router modem thingo that plugs into the phone line and makes the internet go to my computer. I'm not sure what a merkai is but I'm pretty sure that's not what I'm after.

  • nikkirose on 28/11/2015 - 13:47

    you can plug a lan cable from the original modem to the netgear extender, and then use it to be a wireless access point.

  • toristo on 28/11/2015 - 15:12
    +1

    Hit up Gumtree and get one second hand - just ask them to do a demo first so you can see it work with their internet connection and you know it's not been fried in an electrical storm.

    Alternatively, negotiate with your Mum that she lets you have access but not your brother - sit down and go through the router config with her, and get her to setup the passwords, then enter the password in your phone/laptop so you don't know what it is, but have internet access.

    Might be acceptable to her?

    • User166092 on 28/11/2015 - 16:15
      +1

      Had my bro ip blocked, the ssid was hidden, and all passwords were changed to some random series of letters and numbers but my mom was still convinced that he was using it so she took it away completely haha. I'll keep Gumtree in mind tho thanks!!

  • ESEMCE on 28/11/2015 - 15:16

    You need to map out what you want to do OP.
    It sounds to me as though you think you can plug another modem into the phone line and get internet through it but that wont work.. unless you disconnect your Mum's modem.
    Your best option could well be Ethernet over Power.
    Then you can effectively run a networking cable into your bedroom and plug your computer into the network without using WiFi.
    You can also get Ethernet over Power devices that have a Wireless Access Point, but in my experience, they're a bit harder to set up and by the sounds of your networking knowledge might be too hard for you.

    • User166092 on 28/11/2015 - 16:16

      There's no modem at all at the moment. I dunno what the difference between modem and router is but there is nothing right now. It used to sit in my bedroom and plug into the phone cable port.

      • ESEMCE on 28/11/2015 - 20:42

        Modem is the device you need to access the internet.
        A Router is just a Traffic Cop directing Internet Traffic from the modem.

        Most/all modems these days have routing functionality inbuilt and will probably have Modem/Router on the box.
        Head to MSY and ask for a cheap ADSL Modem with WiFi. Should get away with a unit for less than $40

        The TP Link TD- W8950N is $36 and would be perfect.

  • rbrb on 29/11/2015 - 08:47

    I have one of these. Great device, cheap and very small.

    http://www.msy.com.au/viconline/home/12563-edimax-ar-7286wna…

  • RockyRaccoon on 29/11/2015 - 11:20

    How are you going to make this work? If your mom banned the wireless router, dont you think she will ban any other router that you use.

    Yyou will need passwords etc to have your own router access the internet, jus plugging it in wont work.

    Why not talk to your mom and have a new password set on the existing router, that only you can use, rather than your brother? If she wont do that she wont let you connect your own router so its a waste of time and money

    • ESEMCE on 29/11/2015 - 20:04

      This is what everyone has been thinking.

  • terrys on 29/11/2015 - 13:04

    If you can find a Netgear PR2000 Trek N300 travel router, it will do all that you want, and also charge your phone for ~ $45. They are getting a bit hard to find, but MSY are showing it as available at Clayton, Dandenong and Vic on-line, and Hardly's list it as available on line. It's Windows, Mac and linux capable, simplicity to set up once you get over the scary list of options, and can play both ways on all fields - wireless to Ethernet port, Ethernet port to wireless, and wireless range extender. You can use it as a charger or run it from a usb port - and it acts as a firewall if you use it for logging onto public wi-fi. You can even put a HDD or Printer on it as a network device [if plugged into the mains!]
    In your situation, you plug it in, set it up, plug the Ethernet cable in then log on.

    • ESEMCE on 29/11/2015 - 20:03
      +1

      There's no modem.. as above.
      As such a router will be useless.
      OP needs a modem/router

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join