802.11n routers- any out there besides Apple?

[erandall38]

I would like to start taking advantage of the new 80211.n networking... ok so its not that new, but I have new computers so I want to see how fast it really is. Someone was mentioning to me that you can only get the "n" network from Apple's rather expensive router? Or is there other "n" capable routers out there that are cheaper but work well?

Also, what does everyone think of the 80211.n, is it that much faster?

 

[cyclingplatypus]

Belkin makes nice N router, it can be had for $90 at Best Buy.

Belkin N Router

The only thing to be aware of is if you have non-N devices running on the same network most (if not all) of the N routers will throttle back to the lowest device for the entire network.

 

[aristobrat]

I thought the 802.11n only throttled back to 130MPBS, not all the way back to the speed of the slowest device?

That's the rate my MBP showed its connection to the AEBS as when I ran it in mixed mode.

 

[timswim78]

Belkin makes nice N router, it can be had for $90 at Best Buy.

Belkin N Router

The only thing to be aware of is if you have non-N devices running on the same network most (if not all) of the N routers will throttle back to the lowest device for the entire network.

If you want a Belkin N router, this is the one to get.

 

[erandall38]

Waid so if I get a N router for my computers, but my families desktop is wirelessly connected to it, then my computers will not run on N network anyways, it will run on G?

So technically the N network only works to its potential with N devices ONLY?

 

[aristobrat]

Also, what does everyone think of the 802.11n, is it that much faster?

The only thing 802.11n sped up on my network was copying files between our 802.11n laptops and between the same laptops and a Mac mini that was connected to the router via an ethernet cable.

Unless your Internet connection is faster than 802.11g (that'd be a nice problem to have!!!), the faster speed of 802.11n shouldn't help it out any.

 

[esaleris]

Would recommend Netgear's NEXT 802.11n routers. As far as I am concerned, they are decently reliable, they update their firmware often enough, and are pretty cost effective. I've preferred them over Linksys and D-Link several times as wireless technology changes. And they look better and fit the "Mac" look much better, if that is a concern.

Right now the NEXT series is slightly expensive, but not as bad as Airport Expresses, even though they feature more functionality.

 

[erandall38]

Thanks for all the replies guys it has been very helpful.

I think the N should help considering I just did a network test and got 289 KBPS on my DSL, it seems to get slower and slower. http://reviews.cnet.com/7004-7254_7-0.html

BUt again, will having G/B/A user on the network slow mine down?

 

[danny_w]

Thanks for all the replies guys it has been very helpful.

I think the N should help considering I just did a network test and got 289 KBPS on my DSL, it seems to get slower and slower. http://reviews.cnet.com/7004-7254_7-0.html

BUt again, will having G/B/A user on the network slow mine down?

289 KBPS is less than 3mbps, while 802.11g is *up to* 54mbps (much faster than dsl). Now why is N needed for only 3mbps speeds? You will only notice a difference between computers, not on dsl.

 

[aristobrat]

I think the N should help considering I just did a network test and got 289 KBPS on my DSL,

Just to reiterate what Danny said, your DSL modem isn't even using 10% of the capacity of your 802.11g router.

Since the router isn't the thing slowing your DSL down, adding an even faster router isn't going to speed it up any.

The only thing 802.11n would make faster for you is wirelessly copying files between other 802.11n computers (or to a computer connected via ethernet to the 802.11n router).

If an A/B/G device joins your network, then the speed of the n devices will slow down.

 

[erandall38]

Just to reiterate what Danny said, your DSL modem isn't even using 10% of the capacity of your 802.11g router.

Since the router isn't the thing slowing your DSL down, adding an even faster router isn't going to speed it up any.

The only thing 802.11n would make faster for you is wirelessly copying files between other 802.11n computers (or to a computer connected via ethernet to the 802.11n router).

If an A/B/G device joins your network, then the speed of the n devices will slow down.

aristobrat, thank you for the clarification I was very confused. I do not understand what is holding down the speed, is it just the service I have, can you clarify that as well please?
Thanks.

 

[EmptyG]

I just bought a D-Link DIR-655:

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=530&sec=1

It was a snap to setup, all gigabit, wireless-n. No complaints so far

 

[aristobrat]

aristobrat, thank you for the clarification I was very confused. I do not understand what is holding down the speed, is it just the service I have, can you clarify that as well please?
Thanks.

How fast is the DSL service you pay for supposed to be?

One way to test things is to plug your Mac directly into the DSL modem (i.e. remove the wireless router from the equation for a minute or two), rerun the speed test and see if there is a big variance.

 

[RedDragon870503]

There are but I think apples is the best.

 

[sblasl]

Buffalo makes some great routers. And their tech support is Apple friendly. I have the WZRAG300NH Buffalo Technology Wireless-N Nfiniti Dual Band Router. Works great with my AppleTV, my MacBook Pro, and my Wife's MacBook. These are all on the "n" network. I have my iPhone on the "g" network so that it does not degrade the "n" network. Having a dual band router is really nice. We have never had any problems with this router. Kinda pricey, but so are alot of other things.

http://www.buffalotech.com/products...finiti-dual-band-gigabit-router-access-point/

They also have the Wireless-N Nfiniti™ Router WZR2-G300N.

http://www.buffalotech.com/products/wireless/wireless-n-nfiniti/wireless-n-nfiniti-router/

 

[numbersyx]

I just bought a D-Link DIR-655:

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=530&sec=1

It was a snap to setup, all gigabit, wireless-n. No complaints so far

What's the wireless speed though? I have a D-Link 625 n router and the Network Utility shows that my MBP is connecting at only 130 mbps. (In Boot Camp, Windows XP is 300 mbps)

 

[ViperDesign]

What's the wireless speed though? I have a D-Link 625 n router and the Network Utility shows that my MBP is connecting at only 130 mbps. (In Boot Camp, Windows XP is 300 mbps)

I have one of those and my wireless laptop up stairs (windows) connects at 300mbps.

Great router though, I really like it. Solid range as well.

 

[EmptyG]

What's the wireless speed though? I have a D-Link 625 n router and the Network Utility shows that my MBP is connecting at only 130 mbps. (In Boot Camp, Windows XP is 300 mbps)

I dunno actually. I'll have to test it and report back Feels MUCH faster than my Linksys WRT54G though

 

[mahonmeister]

It sounds to me like you don't really need the bandwidth of a wireless N router. Like others have said, you only need it if you are moving large files from computer to computer or if you have a device like the TV.

Your internet connection will not improve with a new router (assuming your laptop is getting a good signal from your current router). The person who told you that you must use an Apple router was mistaken.

 

[EmptyG]

This may sound n00bish, but what's the easiest way to test the speed on my MacBook Pro? Is there a program I can use?

 

[erandall38]

This may sound n00bish, but what's the easiest way to test the speed on my MacBook Pro? Is there a program I can use?

here is one, but in all reality it would be best to just go to google and type in "check my bandwidth speed" or "check my wireless speed"

http://www.bandwidthplace.com/speedtest/

 

[danny_w]

here is one, but in all reality it would be best to just go to google and type in "check my bandwidth speed" or "check my wireless speed"

http://www.bandwidthplace.com/speedtest/

I usually use the flash-based tests from dslreports.com as they seem to be much more extensive and give a better approximation. As erandall38 said though there are many available.

 

[numbersyx]

This may sound n00bish, but what's the easiest way to test the speed on my MacBook Pro? Is there a program I can use?

First thing you can do is see how fast the connection is as recognised by the OS.

Go to Network Utility and Click on the Info tab. Then in the drop down menu under "Please select a network interface for information" and select Network Interface (en1) which should be your wireless interface.

Check "Link Speed". My D-link only connects at 130 mbps for some reason. How does the 655 do?

 

[EmptyG]

First thing you can do is see how fast the connection is as recognised by the OS.

Go to Network Utility and Click on the Info tab. Then in the drop down menu under "Please select a network interface for information" and select Network Interface (en1) which should be your wireless interface.

Check "Link Speed". My D-link only connects at 130 mbps for some reason. How does the 655 do?

Well for wireless it's giving me 130 mbps too

For ethernet (wired), it shows 1GB.

 

[EmptyG]

OK so the issue seems to be the Airport card...

I switched the router settings to broadcast in mixed b/g/n, mixed g/n, and n only

All three connected to MBP at 130 Mb.

But am I crazy, or is that wireless-n speed? When I drop the router to only go in G mode, the MBP connects at 54 Mb. So the N speed is more than twice that.