Best Wireless N Adapter

I'm about ready to finish my HTPC. I need to purchase a wireless "N" adapter for the new PC. What would probably be the best brand and model to buy? I purchased a Linksys wireless N router quite a few months ago and am very happy with it. The router is all the way on the back side of the house.I'd say it's a good 100' away. Thanks

While I'd agree to stay with Linksys, and make all of your network devices the same brand for compatibility and performance, I'd add that you're better off getting a Dual-Band N Router/Adapter rather than a single band N Router. If you do, stay away from WRT610 - it had problems during a head-head test with other DBN routers. The testing magazine editors were using a WRT600N DBN router themselves, and used it in place of the 610. It kicked every other router's butt in just about every category. Only one was even close, and I can't remember which brand it was.

If you've already got a single band N router, then you can go with either a Linksys USB or an installed PCI card which hooks to an external antenna. It's a little harder to hook up, but has better range and capability.

If you don't know enough about Dual-Band, go to the Linksys site and read up on their DBN tutorial. The key thing to understand is that to get the most out of Dual-Band, your adapter has to be DBN capable as well. Some of the newer Intel adapters are - otherwise you'd need to get a WUSB600N, WGA600N (I have both) or the ExpressCard adapter. I originally began with a 300N Router, but now have a 600N Dual-Band. I normally average 240-260mbps if things are running smooth. Of course the 'net is subject to its own traffic jams, and you can't do anything about that.

Dual Band is fantastic if you have more than one system on your 'net, or you do a lot of online gaming. Having access to both bands literally gives you 2 separate networks, with 2 SSID's and different settings in one Router. I can see the difference in my gaming all the time as it allows me to bypass other network users by putting all my gaming data on the 5ghz band, and everyone else on the 2.4ghz band.

If you use a game console like a PS3, DBN is even better - you can use a WGA600N to bypass a PS3 (or XBox) internal Wireless G adapter, and give your console wireless N speed.

The key thing to remember about an N Router is the setup - the Router's Wireless Mode settings must match the adapter's settings, whether you're using a DBN adapter or not. You only want to use Wireless N only if you've got all N devices on your network, otherwise you want to put it in Mixed mode.

If you're unfamiliar with Router setups, register your hardware on the Linksys site, then give them a call during normal business hours when their best reps are on duty. They'll bend over backward to help you, but only if you're a registered user.

They have a pretty good Beta program as well. I just missed the last one, and it was good - they're beta testing their new media servers.