Another router deal - WD My Net™ N750 HD Dual-Band Router $30

[DavidS]

This is from Staples.com.
I don't need another router but the idea of this for only $30 is tempting.
http://www.staples.com/WD-My-Net-N750-HD...uct_990703

[gabester]

Can it do DD-WRT or Tomato?
Can it connect as a client to other wifi networks and share the ethernet accordingly?
Reviews seem to indicate it might have a somewhat high failure rate?
g=

[silvarios]

I feel like I'm wasting money if my router is not alternative firmware compatible. I just turned a Vizio router that had become an unreliable hunk of junk because of flakey WiFi performance into a credible lower end replacement for my Airport Extreme by flashing OpenWrt. Vizio could have bothered upgrading the firmware to try and iron out some bugs, but decided to abandon the product instead. Which is all too common unfortunately.

Shoot, I sometimes wish for an alternate firmware for my Airport Extreme and Express. Would be nice if my Extreme could support mobile data devices via the USB port.

[Robert M]

Silvarios,

The idea of alternative firmware is nifty but I doubt it concerns the vast majority of consumers. Most probably wouldn't know what you're talking about if you brought it up in conversation. At just $30.00, it's a deal even if you turn the wifi off and use it as a hardwire router. Or, turn off the routing features and use it as a WAP. I'm thinking of grabbing one just to have handy in case one of my routers goes kablooey.

Robert

[silvarios]

I get what you mean, but third party firmware has saved my bacon on three occasions now. Hard for me to go back. Eventually my needs will change or the manufacturer will lose interest with updating the device.

$30 is not cheap enough for impulse buy if the device is unreliable. I once passed on a $5 clearance Linksys WiFi router because the reviews were brutal.

This Vizio router was a little less than $40 and I kicked myself for almost a year now because it eventually became too unreliable. Since updating the firmware to OpenWRT, I've had 36 hours straight of blissfully trouble free browsing. I'm actually happy enough with the Vizio, I might sell the Airport Extreme.