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I'm looking for a WiFi N Gigabit router. I'll be using an iPod Touch 2G and a 2009 17" MacBook Pro over WiFi, and I need at least 4 gigabit ethernet ports plus a WAN port.

What do people recommend?

In particular, are there any compatibility issues between different WiFi N drafts that would limit the speed of the MacBook, and is it worth getting dual-band?

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I have a Linksys WRT310N, which has 4 ports of Gig-E and Draft-N WiFi. The antennae are internal, which looks nice. It can run the open source firmwares like DD-WRT. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT300N_series#WRT310N for some details.

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$95 from Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124276

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Too bad WRT350N are no longer being sold on Newegg, it has much better coverage than this one. Still +1 for DD-WRT suggestion. – LiraNuna Jul 28 '09 at 20:16
Be careful with what you buy. Linksys regularly releases new revisions of existing products that have the same model number, but different hardware. As such, not all versions of a particular model are supported by DD-WRT. – Ryan Jan 14 '10 at 16:11
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Since your already going with Apple products, I would recommend the Airport Extreme. A bit pricey but guaranteed to work with your MacBook and iPod Touch.

Also the Time Capsule is not a bad choice which also gives you the ability to use Time Machine.

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I need four ports plus the WAN. – SLaks Jul 28 '09 at 19:51
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Fair enough. I forgot about the 3 ports only. However leaving the answer since it could still be an option. – Diago Jul 28 '09 at 19:53
whether it has 3 or 4 ports isn't an issue since you get splitters for next to nothing – Kim Jul 28 '09 at 22:02
well, if you really mean a splitter that would be a horrible idea, because you can't split an ethernet signal. Now if you mean a switch that is true, but still, next to nothing is not nothing. – Mike Cooper Oct 19 '09 at 18:08
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You can extend a Time Capsule network with an Airport extreme and get that last last ethernet port. This has the added benefit of supplying an audio output and a larger effective network area if your machines are spread apart. It is an expensive solution for that last port . . . but it is very easy to manage from your mac. I have this solution running in my house. I have backups and a fast, reasonably secure network with remote speaker capability. I'm considering putting one outside on the deck in a weather proof box to supply music outside . . .

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