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Best router for iMac?

Thank you both. Useful info to possibly wait on an Airport Extreme.

Doing some reading I became interested in the Airport Express' music streaming. I think I would use that.

That got me reading about Apple TV, which I had never really looked into before. Now I seem to have a shopping list going, lol.

I could get an Apple Express and Apple TV for about the same cost as the Apple Base Station Extreme. That looks intriguing to me.

No buying guide on the Apple TV, but now I know the search term to use: "refresh"

This site, forum and it's users are always so helpful. Thank you.
 
I didn't know there was such a thing as a best router for an iMac...?:confused:

Just get a good router, with good quality and signal strength. Most modern routers are WiFi N capable. Linksys is a great brand, probably the best. I personally use a Belkin and it works great, never had to restart it. Your iMac will just benefit from the signal if it's going to be WiFi connected, and for that you only need to look for good N routers.
 
I'm stuck

Similar issue to that on this thread.

I have two imacs, a mac mini, iphone, itouch, Xbox 360 and macbook all running in small flat.

My Xbox360 Kinect is unhappy with my very old Airport Express that supports G only - playback of media content via wireless is choppy - I'm using Mac Mini as media centre, but can also utilise Xbox, I can also DNLA with my LG Home Theatre System - Mac Mini and Xbox both HDMI'ed to HTS and then outputted via HDMI to Philips LCD - no issues there.

However, other family members wish to view media from my 2T WD External HDD on the two 27in iMacs, and as stated - Xbox360 playback via wireless is poor.

I'm looking for a used Apple Airport Extreme Duel Band and these are quite expensive used in Hong Kong - probably better to buy new - also, all media content is done via Bittorrent - where I live internet speed not good enough to stream from the net.

I think the AEBS is expensive for what you get, have looked at Belkin, Linksy and Netgear Duel Band N options and can get new for US$100.

Should I wait for AEBS update, or invest in non-Apple wifi router and save a few bucks - I'd rather spend money on WD 6T RAID system at US$400 in HK.

Comments welcome.
 
Mr Rogers said:
Similar issue to that on this thread.

I have two imacs, a mac mini, iphone, itouch, Xbox 360 and macbook all running in small flat.

My Xbox360 Kinect is unhappy with my very old Airport Express that supports G only - playback of media content via wireless is choppy - I'm using Mac Mini as media centre, but can also utilise Xbox, I can also DNLA with my LG Home Theatre System - Mac Mini and Xbox both HDMI'ed to HTS and then outputted via HDMI to Philips LCD - no issues there.

However, other family members wish to view media from my 2T WD External HDD on the two 27in iMacs, and as stated - Xbox360 playback via wireless is poor.

I'm looking for a used Apple Airport Extreme Duel Band and these are quite expensive used in Hong Kong - probably better to buy new - also, all media content is done via Bittorrent - where I live internet speed not good enough to stream from the net.

I think the AEBS is expensive for what you get, have looked at Belkin, Linksy and Netgear Duel Band N options and can get new for US$100.

Should I wait for AEBS update, or invest in non-Apple wifi router and save a few bucks - I'd rather spend money on WD 6T RAID system at US$400 in HK.

Comments welcome.
Click to expand...

In your situation, I would wait a few days until Apple releases the updated AEBS to see what it offers. You should likely also wait to see if the dropped connection issue has been resolved in the following thread:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2401315

I have had repeated drops using my iPad about every 20 - 30 minutes with my current WAP. As the above link states, it appears to be from Maximum incomplete TCP/UDP sessions number from same host. Unfortunately, my current WAP does not have a setting to increase this setting. Perhaps the revised AEBS will address this issue. If it does not, I would look into another 3rd party WAP that does.
 
Finally opted for Netgear option

Having done a bit of research and found a seller with a new Netgear N600 Router - top of the range 3700, I'm pleased to say I paid US$108 for the latest V2 edition of this - not having set a WLAN up for a while, it took about a hour to get matters in hand and have a duel network running on 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz - all on 'N'.

Compared to my first edition Airport Express, web browsing is quicker, I can support two iMacs running HD content wirelessly, have port forwarded to use Transmission for torrent downloads and can add more storage wirelessly via USB connection on Netgear unit - basically, can get excellent deals on 2T USB2 externals - not so great with FireWire - if I get big storage unit, it will be connected to my Mac Mini via FW800, if Mac Mini updated later this year to Thunderbolt - will get one of these puppies - probably Server model and keep my 2010 as well.

Not sure about connecting iTouch and iPhone 3G yet.

Only big hassle, Xbox360S can only see 2.4Ghz channel thus far, so need to sort it out.

Verdict on Netgear 3700 - I had it at a good price, comes with two year warranty, is duel channel and performs better than my old Airport Express - actually, in Hong Kong, Airport Express would have cost nearly as much for this option.

Much as I like Apple, both the AEBS and Time Capsule are way overpriced - I say this as someone who is expecting his 27in BTO iMac on Thursday - i7 with 2G VRAM and pushing 12G RAM, not Apple installed.

Now to get the X360Key for the Xbox360S to enjoy games via an external HDD and get it to work on the 5G network.
 
Just wondering if you have any similar issue with mine...

I've been using Netgear DG834N wireless N and just recently using airplay...

I can use airplay with no problem at all eg via iphone or itunes, however the problem occured after few hours of using airplay...

All of sudden the airplay speaker is missing and then the whole network is getting problem eg. i can't ping or remote desktop any other workstation on the network...

The only way to fix this is to reboot the router and everything is normal again... i've tried disabling SPI firewall but no luck...

Any of you guys know what is wrong with my setup?

Thanks
 
Mr Rogers said:
Having done a bit of research and found a seller with a new Netgear N600 Router - top of the range 3700, I'm pleased to say I paid US$108 for the latest V2 edition of this - not having set a WLAN up for a while, it took about a hour to get matters in hand and have a duel network running on 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz - all on 'N'.
...
Much as I like Apple, both the AEBS and Time Capsule are way overpriced
Click to expand...
Not to spoil your fun, but N600 3700 is not in the same class as current AEBS. Current AEBS, which probably will be replaced within few weeks, has 3 streams 450 Mbps transfer rate, which your new iMac supports. N600 3700 is a 2 streams 300 Mbps. N600 4000 is the model that competes in the same segment, which at $150 street price, is not much cheaper.
 
US$50 saving is quite a bit

Many thanks for your defence of the AEBS - fact remains that I purchased my new router in HK for price of an Airport Express - apart from a few hiccups with xBox, system matches my current requirements and I've finally managed to get a DNLA link to my HTS.

Having purchased the new Mac's this year, I think Mr. Job's has had enough of my hard earned pennies.

My savings are going towards modding my Xbox so I can play content via HDD and not Disc - 300MBS is more than enough in a small flat and compared to a 2004 Airport Express, its a blooming huge improvement.

By the way, AEBS must be soon as two Apple resellers were out of AEBS stock, so it will be interesting to see what the upgrade is?
 
Linksys E3200 NOT Compatible with Mac Time Machine!! Don't waste your time with it!

Cisco/Linksys E3000 and Cisco/Linksys E3200 ARE INCOMPATIBLE with Max OSX Time Machine! Don't waste your time trying to connect a USB drive to the Cisco Router! The drive will "show up" on the network, but Time Machine will NOT FIND IT! I spend literally HOURS with tech support trying to figure this out. Frustrated & Angry, I finally GAVE UP!!! Read below the solution I was given by Cisco/Linksys Tech Support:
1.) They,*Cisco/Linksys Tech Support, transferred me to a Third Party company called SupportRIX.com to solve THEIR Problem. This company wanted to charge me $69.99 to "fix" the problem. They guaranteed that they would be able to configure the drive so that Time Machine could use it. (minus 10-15 percent discount when I complained about the price)* I REFUSED to pay the $69.95 since I already paid $200.00 for the Cisco/Linksys E3200 (Tax included).
Why should I pay this money to ANOTHER company to get the drive to work?
The Cisco/Linksys E3200 BOX States that it's MAC COMPATIBLE, but Clearly IT'S NOT!!!!
I hate being taken advantage of, as well as wasting my time!
I finally told the Cisco/Linksys Support team that THEY, Cisco/Linksys Tech Support, SHOULD PAY THE $69.95 THEMSELVES, LEARN HOW TO DO IT, AND THEN TELL ALL OF THEIR CUSTOMERS HOW IT CAN BE DONE!!! THIS IS TOTALLY UNBELIEVABLE!!!
I have finally GIVEN UP and and I am going to buy an Apple Time Capsule what WILL WORK once you plug it in!!!
From a TOTALLY UNSATISFIED MAC USER!!!!
 
I came upon this thread searching for a possible replacement for my 1st gen Time Capsule, which I've been having problems with. I had actually been considering a Cisco / Linksys router - until a friend turned me on to a pod cast about Cisco/ Linksys over at "Security Now 360". Seems Cisco, on some routers, did a firmwear update - without the owner's knowledge or permission, which changed the way owners could administer their routers. Prior to the stealth firmwear update, users would log into their router locally. However, after the firmwear update (which they didn't tell people about), when people went to adminiater their router, they were told they had to log into some remote website and establish an account.

It gets worse

In the user agreement for this "service" they say that (paraphrasing) "we may keep track of certain information, to include how much internet traffic pases through your router, what devices and media content you have on your home system - and they will share info with the third partys - and also, keep track of your internet history.

The pod cast is here:

http://twit.tv/show/security-now/360

I didn't watch the video, but if you will scoll down the left side and download the AUDIO podcast, then skip to about 16:15 - that's where they start talking about what Cisco has done. I don't have a Cisco router, but if I did it would be in the trash right now and it would be the last Cisco product I ever purchased.

Cheers
 
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