So, just to follow up, I installed the Linksys E3200 router yesterday. It seems to be working well so far and is definitely faster than the old router, which I will take to the county's electronics recycling dropoff site.

One reason I chose this router is that is is supposed to be easy to set up, and I think it was. However there are two issues -- the Cisco Connect software was not installed on my pc during the set up process, and there is a "guest network" (access to wifi but no access to files on my laptop) that I cannot log into with my smartphone. I tried to get help via an online chat with Linksys tech support and it was a disaster. The person seemed to have less knowledge than I do, didn't listen to what I was asking and was so unresponsive I had to keep asking if anyone was still on the line. Finally I gave up and said it was late and I needed to go to bed so I would have to try again to fix the problems another time. After several minutes with no answer, I disconnected the session. Then today their system emailed me a transcript -- after I disconnected the person came on and said well you seem to be gone so I guess I solved your problem. Holy cow, I was stunned by the incompetence. Apparently I am on my own in trying to to solve these problems.

But at least the connection with the regular non-guest network is fast...