Wireless router suggestions?

[kickFlip]

Hi, Team,

I'm in the market for a new wireless router and am kind of at a loss right now: I just purchased my first Mac a few weeks ago (MBP 15", i7) and also need to upgrade my existing wireless network. Might you give some suggestions?

Here are the specs that I need:

- dual-band N (concurrent, not switching)
- print server capable
- NAS capable (having 2 USB ports would be great for having both printer and ext. HD together)
- gigabit ethernet

I've looked at reviews on the Airport Extreme, but some reviewers say that the NAS portion is extremely slow, mostly due to the lack of speed of that router's CPU. Can anyone here confirm/object?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[drummerlondonw3]

I have used a few routers over the years (as I am sure you and many here have) and although I do not know if it is the absolute best I have had nothing but good things to say about the airport products.

having only ever networked drives though through this I can only say that it could stream HD -720 over a N network without issues.

However, if NAS is your priority then there are many custom solutions. A Drobo springs to mind, have you looked at one of those?

I'm unsure of your budget

 

[kickFlip]

I have used a few routers over the years (as I am sure you and many here have) and although I do not know if it is the absolute best I have had nothing but good things to say about the airport products.

having only ever networked drives though through this I can only say that it could stream HD -720 over a N network without issues.

Okay, I'll take that as a "thumbs-up" for the Airport Extreme.

However, if NAS is your priority then there are many custom solutions. A Drobo springs to mind, have you looked at one of those?

I'm unsure of your budget

I was looking at separate NAS solutions, too, but I have a USB 3.5-inch hard drive dock and a few 3.5-inch drives kicking about. I'd like to save money and just plug the dock into the router and have the router itself be the NAS controller.

My budget for the router could go as high as $200 US if the features and quality are top.

Thanks for your quick reply, drummerlondonw3.

 

[drummerlondonw3]

no probs

I have a time capsule that I have upgraded to 2TB. However, I also run a 1TB USB drive off it.

The thing about a time capsule is that it has a loud fan. You could look into getting an airport express, they are really great little routers and give you a lot of flexibility in placement. Cheaper as well and you get audio.

Personally I run a combination across my network. Computers connect to my TC, iphones attach to my BT homehub (cable router) and I run a printer of a G airport express.

The positives for airports are the air utility app for easier control of your devices. I find this gives you much more flexibility but no greater control really if you are competent on computers.