Wireless 'N' Router?

[eclipse525]

Hey guys and gals!

My Linksys WRT54 just died and I'm looking for replacement. I'm looking for a 802.11n this time around. I'd also like it to place nice with my Mac, PC and Playstation 3. Although it is Apple, some people have mentioned that the "Apple Base Station Extreme" is a real solid router due to the real dual band feature. I'm not sure about this but I am sure that it's freakin' expensive. I'd preferable like something less expensive but I am willing to pay if it's worth the money.

Can anyone recommend a solid router(model) that might fit the bill?

Thank you!!!


~e

 

[johnnj]

I might be wrong, but wasn't there a problem with using Airports with gaming consoles because it doesn't support uPNP port forwarding?

 

[belvdr]

I might be wrong, but wasn't there a problem with using Airports with gaming consoles because it doesn't support uPNP port forwarding?

The new ones appear to do that.

 

[mstrze]

I might be wrong, but wasn't there a problem with using Airports with gaming consoles because it doesn't support uPNP port forwarding?

I use it with my Wii without issue FWIW...and I have a PC laptop in addition to 2 Macs and an AppleTV.

Don't know about PS3 issues.

The USB port on it has allowed us to backup over the network and print 'wirelessly', which is nice. And the current wake-on-wireless feature is spectacular!

Airport Extreme, to me, is worth every additional penny based on ease of setup, reliability and solid functionaility.

 

[eclipse525]

What do you guys think of these routers, D-Link DGL-4500, D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme and the Linksys WRT610N? My iMac is wireless (N) and the PS3 is (G). Are these good routers or should I look at something else?

I don't know if this is an issue but I'll be streaming movies via MediaLink (nullriver soft) on my Mac to my PS3. With the Linksys WRT54, I would get disconnected frequently.


~e

 

[Weaselboy]

I might be wrong, but wasn't there a problem with using Airports with gaming consoles because it doesn't support uPNP port forwarding?

I use my Time Capsule with a PS3 and have no problems.

 

[GNice]

I use my Extreme with Xbox 360...works great

 

[TheHumphries]

Aebs

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/component/option,com_chart/Itemid,189/

Once I saw that, I ordered the AEBS. The DIR-685 is faster but I really don't need a touch screen on my wireless router. Also check out this article:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/836898/

GL!

 

[eclipse525]

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/component/option,com_chart/Itemid,189/

Once I saw that, I ordered the AEBS. The DIR-685 is faster but I really don't need a touch screen on my wireless router. Also check out this article:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/836898/

GL!

Thanks for the links. Very interesting. I think I'm going with the ABSE. I just hope if plays nice with my PS3.

 

[snookiesnoo1977]

Small Net Builder gave this router an extremely poor review which you don't mention so I wonder if you read it. I have one but if I had it to do over again I would have bought this;

NETGEAR WNDR3700
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/30925/96/




http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wire...ng-new-apple-airport-extreme-briefly-reviewed

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/component/option,com_chart/Itemid,189/

Closing Thoughts

I didn't test the previous, Atheros-based simultaneous dual-band Extreme, so I don't know if my results are indicative of the "50 percent better Wi-Fi performance and up to 25 percent better range than with the previous-generation AirPort Extreme Base Station" that Apple claims for this new version. If they are, then I'm glad I didn't waste my money on that version, although I'm not really pleased that I'm out around $200 (including shipping) for this one.

At any rate, Apple's decision to move to Marvell for the latest version of the Extreme seems to be ill-advised since 2.4 GHz range is lower than other current-generation dual-band routers and total wireless downlink throughput is no match for the NETGEAR WNDR3700. Given that I haven't seen Marvell in any other new N router designs, and Atheros is in so many, including the NETGEAR WNDR3700, I'm at a loss to explain Apple's choice.

But performance aside, the Extreme's routing feature set is pretty poor compared to current-generation products. Port forwarding is limited, triggered forwarding isn't supported, there is no port or keyword filtering and no QoS, automatic or even manual. And I've already pointed out the wireless feature weaknesses, which are just plain annoying and border on the paternalistic.

Finally, I encountered the same problem reported by other Airport owners during testing. I forget exactly when, but at one point, the AirPort Utility was no longer able to find the Extreme during its scan. I tried soft and hard resets, power cycling, and even taking out the battery for awhile to try to clear what ailed it, but to no avail.

I would have tried a firmware download, but a 7.5 download was nowhere to be found on either the supplied CD or Apple's support site. Nor was any indication of a fix for this problem in Apple's online knowledge base. So for the latter part of my testing, I had to use the Utility's Configure Other mode, which wasn't even helpful enough to remember the Airport's IP after I typed it in. Given all of the Extreme's other frustrating "features", this was just icing on the cake.

In sum, there is no reason that I can think of to recommend the new Airport Extreme.

 

[eclipse525]

Ahh yes... I was wrong. I was focused on the "throughput" instead of the overall review. Thank God, I didn't buy it yet. Seems like the "Netgear WNDR3700" is at the top of the heap.