Best possible WIFI router for a large house?

[Outrigger]

Wow Outrigger. You didn't even have the common courtesy to support your post with a relevant 3rd party link to explain how you came to the conclusion that Apple's router didn't make it on x chart.

I supported my post with a link to a recent review about the AEXB that is in Apple stores TODAY. Not some anecdote from a cousin of a cousin who's granny has an old Time Capsule from 2008.

The reasons for going for an AEXB are simple.

1. Easy setup from a Mac or iOS device
2. Simultaneous Dual Band operation with a guest network
3. 3 Stream 450 Mbs performance for compatible clients
4. USB ports for printer or hard drive sharing
5. Excellent range with the new Broadcom chip
6. Back to my Mac setup via Apple ID
7. Easy bridge mode setup through Airport Utility


Pffft N300. I'll send the OP my crappy one for the price of postage if he wants it.

My Time Capsule has been in use for a household with over 6 computing devices. I have not had to reboot it once in 6 months.

I take it back, Apple IS in the charts..... somewhere in there.

I really don't have a problem if you like Apple gear. We all have our preferences which isn't right or wrong, just is. This is Apple related forum after all. But I just don't want the OP to be misinformed that just because he/she has a 2 floor house, one needs to spend $360 on two of these AEBS in order to achieve what one wants AND that AEBS is in the top range of routers. Its not.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts/view

 

[nuckinfutz]

I take it back, Apple IS in the charts..... somewhere in there.

I really don't have a problem if you like Apple gear. We all have our preferences which isn't right or wrong, just is. This is Apple related forum after all. But I just don't want the OP to be misinformed that just because he/she has a 2 floor house, one needs to spend $360 on two of these AEBS in order to achieve what one wants AND that AEBS is in the top range of routers. Its not.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts/view

Gracias senor!

I figured you were talking about Small Netbuilder. Range has improved but at this point I think the Marvel chipset is showing its age against the newer stuff. I will say that my two Airport Based products have been reliable.

I'm eagerly awaiting the nextgen of Wifi products. At Mobile World Congress Qualcomm showed off a smartphone that was doing 230 Mbps on the crowded showroom. Broadcom showed demo product in less congested areas well over 300Mbps real world!

I'm thinking the powerline products are probably dead in a couple of years. When mobile devices are delivering that throughput means desktops with 2 an 3 streams will be doing almost a gigabit real world over the air.

HD streaming with no hiccups.

 

[Outrigger]

Gracias senor!

I figured you were talking about Small Netbuilder. Range has improved but at this point I think the Marvel chipset is showing its age against the newer stuff. I will say that my two Airport Based products have been reliable.

I'm eagerly awaiting the nextgen of Wifi products. At Mobile World Congress Qualcomm showed off a smartphone that was doing 230 Mbps on the crowded showroom. Broadcom showed demo product in less congested areas well over 300Mbps real world!

I'm thinking the powerline products are probably dead in a couple of years. When mobile devices are delivering that throughput means desktops with 2 an 3 streams will be doing almost a gigabit real world over the air.

HD streaming with no hiccups.

There is also the difference between pure raw speed vs. reliability, easy of use....etc. At the end of the day, we're all different and do things differently. One thing I've learned at SmallNetBuilders is that a router that do things best when it comes to everything does not exist. Some do well in one area while lagging in others.

 

[NogbadTheBad]

Cisco E4200v2

Don't you mean a Linksys I work with real Cisco products and I'm surprised Cisco put their name on them.

Funny that they mention RIP being missing on the Apple, LOL who in their right mind used RIP.

Also if the OP wants to fully check out his existing coverage and maybe move his existing equipment and use netspot to do a survey.

http://www.netspotapp.com/

 

[arjen92]

If you think the LAN is blazing fast with 100 Mbps, I'm guessing you'd be blown away by the 1 Gbps LAN that you get with the AEBS/Time Capsule That right there is enough for me never to consider the TP-Link TL-WA801ND...[/]

woops, wrong model number, I meant the TP-Link TL-WR1043ND. That one has 4 1 Ghz ports.

It also never went down, and worked with all ports connected, 6 ios devices and 3 macbook pro's wireless at the same time.

The webbased GUI looks ok. (it's not a maze).

 

[PaulMoore]

Hijacking this thread to see if anyone else has more recent recommendations- I have a 2006 Airport Extreme and it struggles in a 1000 sq ft block house- about to move to a 2 story 1500 sq ft wood house and want something to reach every corner... should I upgrade? Any recommendations whether I could save an outlet and get a cable modem/router combo?

Thanks!

 

[takeshi74]

Construction even for "wood" houses varies and one solution isn't going to work for all such houses. If one access point doesn't give you the coverage you need then you may need multiple. Same as it has always been with planning wireless networks.

 

[taylord22]

What are the chances the Extremes get updated with USB 3.0 in the next year? Obviously just looking for guesses, at this point.

 

[PaulMoore]

Construction even for "wood" houses varies and one solution isn't going to work for all such houses. If one access point doesn't give you the coverage you need then you may need multiple. Same as it has always been with planning wireless networks.

Of course, just wondering if anyone here was using one in a large house and would recommend it.

 

[ColdCase]

For us, the newest AEBS and TCs provide much better range than our 2010 vintage stuff. For reference, the range and performance varies with mobile device but it easily covers three floors of our wood frame home (about 9,000 sq ft) and at least another 1000 sq ft of the back yard. I was able to get rid of the extender, repeater, or whatever you call it.

If you want a guaranty something will work best, purchase the wireless access point/router at stores with liberal return policies and keep swapping them until you fine the best one.

Historically combo cable modem/routers have been poor performers or lack features. It still is better to use separate cable modem and router boxes. We've had a Motorola SB6141 SURFboard cable modem (white) and TimeCapsule since August that just works well.

 

[harry454]

Wow Outrigger. You didn't even have the common courtesy to support your post with a relevant 3rd party link to explain how you came to the conclusion that Apple's router didn't make it on x chart.

I supported my post with a link to a recent review about the AEXB that is in Apple stores TODAY. Not some anecdote from a cousin of a cousin who's granny has an old Time Capsule from 2008.

The reasons for going for an AEXB are simple.

1. Easy setup from a Mac or iOS device
2. Simultaneous Dual Band operation with a guest network
3. 3 Stream 450 Mbs performance for compatible clients
4. USB ports for printer or hard drive sharing
5. Excellent range with the new Broadcom chip
6. Back to my Mac setup via Apple ID
7. Easy bridge mode setup through Airport Utility


Pffft N300. I'll send the OP my crappy one for the price of postage if he wants it.

My Time Capsule has been in use for a household with over 6 computing devices. I have not had to reboot it once in 6 months.

I can attest to this. Have a Time Capsule from mid 2011. Barely ever have to reboot it. Range is phenomenal and so is speed. Ive tried several linksys dlink and netgear routers throughout the years, sure they are cheaper, but in the end they always ended up dying or having constant disconnects after a few months (3-4). Then I got the Time Capsule, no issues whatsoever. It just works, no disconnects, speed drops, or weekly restarts and most of all it covers the range of a 3 storey 2800 sq ft house with it being on the top most level and still providing signal to the basement. I run my ps3, xbox, synology nas and multiple iPhones in the family and two MacBooks, one windows laptop. No issues at all. My advice get a Airport Extreme or Time Capsule, if range still isn't enough get a airport express to bridge it in the dead zone.