Airport Extreme vs Others

[pMad]

I have/had an Airport Extreme.

It's dead. Brought it to the Apple store.
Dead.

Beyond warranty. I've had it since Nov 2008.

So, I need a new router, but I'm questioning spending another $200 on a router that lasted less than 2 years.

I'm connecting the following: 1 iMac, 2 Windows laptops, 1 PC, iPhone, ipod touch.

I have a hub connected and share a hard drive and a printer.

My questions:

Is there any reason I'd spend $200 for a replacement Airport Extreme instead of a less costly linksys or netgear?

If you think I should go with something other than the Airport, what is your suggestion.

 

[mrbash]

A few things here.

• I like the AE. It's great quality, but expensive. So I would say get another one.
• If you bought your AE using your credit card, you may just qualify for an additional 1 year warranty. So if the Apple warranty is 1 year, your CC would extend that to 2 years. It might be worth investigating.
• There are other Wireless routers that are very cheap. Enough that you can afford to replace them every year.

 

[pMad]

A few things here.

• I like the AE. It's great quality, but expensive. So I would say get another one.
• If you bought your AE using your credit card, you may just qualify for an additional 1 year warranty. So if the Apple warranty is 1 year, your CC would extend that to 2 years. It might be worth investigating.
• There are other Wireless routers that are very cheap. Enough that you can afford to replace them every year.

Thank you so much.

I hadn't thought of this.

My Visa Platinum Extended Warranty is covering it.

 

[alphaod]

A Mac in my home has always had AppleCare; with it I've taken 3 year old Airport Base Stations to the Apple Store to have them replaced without question.