Craftsman vs. ryobi router?

Look, I'm not going to get into a "mine's bigger/better than yours" contest, but I do have something to say. Consider what you're going to use these tools for. If you are trying to work professionally buy the best you can afford because you'll be using them every day and you'll need tools you can rely on for years and that can take hard use. If you're doing stuff around the house you might not need pro quality tools. I've got a Ryobi router with a table and it works great for what I do with it. I wouldn't try to make furniture but it works great for shaping the edges of shelving, making plunge cuts, etc. I have a Sears compound miter saw that's been a great time saver. It's got a laser but most of the time I don't rely on it. Check the square of your blades to the tables with a carpenter's square before starting projects. If you're going to make precision cuts, invest in a blade with more teeth than the standard cheapo that comes with the tool. Your largest expense is going to be router bits, without a doubt, so check around and compare prices.