Wi-Fi at its finest with Apple hardware

My little success story switching to Apple's AirPort products to handle Wi-Fi at home, FWIW.

TL;DR: if you're experiencing any pain with your current Wi-Fi access point, do consider investing in an AirPort Extreme or Express. Flawless signal and throughput, easy to configure yet featureful. Worth their price, and then some.

Back when I was still using my Internet provider's DSL modem + router + access point, throughput on my Wi-Fi devices was low and unstable when more than 5 meters away. It was 2.4 GHz 802.11g. I knew this frequency range was crowded, so as I have a homemade Linux NAS that's always on, I figured I would make it a 5 GHz 802.11n access point as well. I bought an ALFA AWUS051NH, compiled the right kernel module (driver), configured hostapd. Seemed easy, except I ran into a whole lot of troubles trying to configure country codes, enabling the 5 GHz radio, keeping it stable (the device would freeze periodically). I'm not one to back down from heavy, cumbersome configuration and troubleshooting, but the situation was a mess even weeks later. It comes down to drivers maturity, for sure, but there wasn't a lot I could do about drivers. Time spent learning online progressively turned into wasted time and energy.

Weeks of tinkering later, I finally gave up. While searching for alternatives, I realized all the MacBooks and iOS devices have always had the best signal and throughput of all the connected clients. That directed me toward the AirPort Extreme. After reading AnandTech's review, I was almost sold. The price was a barrier, 159€ is not cheap for a router + access point. Since I've never been disappointed by Apple's product, I eventually bought it.

Little did I know, this purchase turned out to be a lifesaver. Dead easy configuration with my iPhone, yet impressive array of features, all well organized, even more so on the OS X version of AirPort utility. Everything worked flawlessly on first try. Not only that, but it brought simultaneous 2.4 GHz (useful for the iPhone) and 5 GHz networks, both with a strong signal and high throughput. A couple figures: MacBook Air via 5 GHz 802.11n to the NAS (wired): 20 MB/s a few meters away, 16 MB/s upstairs. Very impressive. 6+ months later, not a single drop of signal, same throughput.

Today, I replaced that same ALFA adapter (this time as a simple client) on a Linux computer, with an AirPort Express. 500 KB/s with signal drops turned into 8.5 MB/s with stable signal (couple hours, but I don't see it dropping anytime soon). Again, configured with my iPhone seamlessly (just joining an existing Wi-Fi network, bridged, connected to the computer via Ethernet). What a relief!

I'm extremely pleased with both the AirPort Extreme and Express. Fantastic devices. I can imagine this sounds cliché, but it's Wi-Fi the way it should be. Configure and forget.

Anybody stuck with mediocre (if working) Wi-Fi should seriously consider putting the money into an AirPort. Both the Extreme and Express seem expensive but the time saved surely is worth more. Not to mention the usual Apple-level hardware quality. Both feel robust, built to last and look sleek.

 

Excellent, both your experiences .

Though nobody knows for certain, it's safe to say that yes. I guess they'll come along with the first 802.11ac-compatible client device, like a newer generation MacBook Pro or iMac.

 

The RT-N56U has a Ralink chipset which are not the most Linux friendly (for custom firmwares). I would much rather go with a Broadcom one like the N66U which is supported by DD-WRT. See this list. The N56U also has only 2 channels (up to 300 Mbit/s) compared to the 3 channels of the N66U (up to 450 Mbits/s).

If you're willing to put that kind of money though, you would be better off with the AirPort Extreme.

What's TC ?
+1 about the interoperability with the Express. Setting it up was such a smooth experience, instant reward for the 99€.

I'm sure some alternatives must perform as well in raw numbers, but I doubt any of them can match the AirPort in terms of ease of use, and most importantly, reliability. My Extreme lasted 6 months and a half (and counting) up 24/7 with no signal loss or slow down. I've tried a bunch of wireless routers before, but none that could even hope to do half as well.

 

Oh, right . Thanks!