Routers can also be quite mind bending for novices to setup but if they come pre-configured then it’s practically plug and play.
There is a problem with some routers and a bug with UPnP
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UPnP_AV_MediaServers. Not difficult to fix so I've heard.
AOL routers are USBs and not as efficient as the ethernet connction ones that for example Talk Talk supply. I take it you don't want to trust them? I am with them and have not had it too bad at all. I ws dreading going with them after what they did to me and my once uncapped AOL.
The problem is that ethernet requires a socket in the motherboard that some don't have. Cheap ones and perhaps old OEM ones? But you can get cards for them.
It's amazing what is available even for quite old machines. So check with someone's borrowed cable before you decide. If no socket just buy a card with the router you get.
Talk Talk senrt me a router with a choice so when you decide on your next ISP, find out that and it wouldn't hurt to ask them if they can give you a means of metering your useage while they are being nice.
As for dealing with their sales teams, just decide what you are doing and bnever stray more than a paragraph (three or four sentences at most) from the point you are trying to make.
They usually have a list of angles designed to get you off the subject bnefore they swing in with the talk-around. Just don't go there. You don't have to. You can just come straight back to the question you started with:
(Politley) "Well, thanks for that advice but can you do that for me?"
"Yes I know, thanks, but I just need a MAC, is there a problem?"
"OK. Thanks." (Pause then, politely) "That's interesting but, errrm.... can we get back to my query.....?"
There is never any need to be nasty, they are only going through the motions after all. :hrmph:BUT....

:crap:OTOH.......
...you are leaving and will be unlikely to meet them again,
:shrug:not even online.
:shrug: