I am confused (easily done!). I want to extend my home wifi networks as to be able to use my newly acquired MacBook Air in most of the rooms in my apartment. I've looked at the TP link range and am confused with regard to which one to choose. My budget would be about £120. The plan of my fifth floor apartment is below. Can anyone suggest which of the numerous TP Link systems I should use?
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Wi Fi extender
- Thread starter sunnyjohn2
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Honestly, as for me you should check out routers with Wi-Fi 6 standard. As for Mesh systems, you'd have more than 3 stations, and ideal may be TP Link X series, but the price bites. If you have or can place the powerline grid, then P series. If no -- M4, M5 series.
Currently having TP Link E4 2 stations, one in basement another in 1st floor (not a bunker style walls), and, no matter how and what I tried, there's a Bermuda zone, so every time when somebody move in/out the zone (somewhere between stations) or TV -- network fall for a short time (speed, ~600 ping or even connection drops). Affects one station mostly, but it's not a rare case to lose connection on both of them. Or it can hang by its own + some features like built in log viewer -- I mean, thanks, but it is useless because shows only weird internal events not related to a network behavior or devices.
So, be prepared for a few pitfalls. Not sure about other brands, thinking +- have the same behavior.
Currently having TP Link E4 2 stations, one in basement another in 1st floor (not a bunker style walls), and, no matter how and what I tried, there's a Bermuda zone, so every time when somebody move in/out the zone (somewhere between stations) or TV -- network fall for a short time (speed, ~600 ping or even connection drops). Affects one station mostly, but it's not a rare case to lose connection on both of them. Or it can hang by its own + some features like built in log viewer -- I mean, thanks, but it is useless because shows only weird internal events not related to a network behavior or devices.
So, be prepared for a few pitfalls. Not sure about other brands, thinking +- have the same behavior.
What kind of internet service do you have?
(such as cable, fibre, something else)
Does it come with a "residential gateway" (also known as a combined modem/router)?
If it does use a residential gateway, give the built-in router's wifi a chance first. (if it HAS wifi)
Personal experience (USA):
I have Comcast cable with a 1gb service.
I had previously been using Linksys "Velop" mesh, which worked ok, BUT...
... I decided to try the built-in wifi router that came with the Comcast hardware, and it actually WORKED BETTER than the 3rd party mesh system. I get good coverage all over (2 story house).
If you DON'T have a residential gateway, you might consider a 2-piece mesh system. The base unit would go next to or near your ISP input. The satellite would go down towards the other end of the apartment (lounge?)...
(such as cable, fibre, something else)
Does it come with a "residential gateway" (also known as a combined modem/router)?
If it does use a residential gateway, give the built-in router's wifi a chance first. (if it HAS wifi)
Personal experience (USA):
I have Comcast cable with a 1gb service.
I had previously been using Linksys "Velop" mesh, which worked ok, BUT...
... I decided to try the built-in wifi router that came with the Comcast hardware, and it actually WORKED BETTER than the 3rd party mesh system. I get good coverage all over (2 story house).
If you DON'T have a residential gateway, you might consider a 2-piece mesh system. The base unit would go next to or near your ISP input. The satellite would go down towards the other end of the apartment (lounge?)...
Many thanks to both. A good point, Fisherrman - I have a Vodafone router and it generally provides good local coverage. I'll try my MacBook Air and see how far it will work from the router. As you can guess, long apartments like ours with walls in between do present a bit of a problem. Meanwhile, looking at appltech's advice, if the MacBook Air won't perform, I would guess that I will have to spend a little more. TP Link have a good press and a wide range but one is looking at two to three hundred pounds/euros/dollars. But then, I've just splashed out nearly two grand on the MacBook Air!
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
What's the square footage of your appt?
Mine is 2700sqft spread over two floors. I bought two old Asus ac 86u routers for around $120 total, flashed third party Merlin firmware to turn them into a mesh. Placed them on opposite ends of appt. I get 250 to 450+mbps everywhere (i have 500mbps fiber)
I don't use the router from the ISP which saves me the $10 a month rental. One of the routers acts as gateway, the other is a mesh node. The second router is connected via Ethernet, though. If your appt isn't wired for Ethernet, you'll have to go with something like an Ethernet over power or Ethernet over coax kit, which does cut down on the speed.
You're not getting WiFi 6 speed and features with this setup, obviously, but I've found it an economical and workable solution
Mine is 2700sqft spread over two floors. I bought two old Asus ac 86u routers for around $120 total, flashed third party Merlin firmware to turn them into a mesh. Placed them on opposite ends of appt. I get 250 to 450+mbps everywhere (i have 500mbps fiber)
I don't use the router from the ISP which saves me the $10 a month rental. One of the routers acts as gateway, the other is a mesh node. The second router is connected via Ethernet, though. If your appt isn't wired for Ethernet, you'll have to go with something like an Ethernet over power or Ethernet over coax kit, which does cut down on the speed.
You're not getting WiFi 6 speed and features with this setup, obviously, but I've found it an economical and workable solution