All iPads Worth it to upgrade router?

[Zmanbaseball2]

Yes, I'm aware of what those mean. I asked if the poster was connecting to 2.4GHz or 5GHz and he mentioned the devices were connected via wi-fi to his access point (TrendNet TEW-638APB N300) and not directly to the dual-band Asus RT-N56U.

I don't get why it matters if it is 2.4GHz or 5GHz. The access point is 300mbps and my router is gigabit. It is the iPad I think because my computer gets the full speeds when testing in the same location.

 

[rui no onna]

I don't get why it matters if it is 2.4GHz or 5GHz. The access point is 300mbps and my router is gigabit. It is the iPad I think because my computer gets the full speeds when testing in the same location.

There's usually far more interference on the 2.4GHz band than on the 5GHz band. Part of the 802.11n spec is fallback on 20MHz operation to be more "neighbor-friendly". In the same room sitting around 5ft away from the router, I get 100Mbps max throughput when on 5GHz and just 35Mbps max throughput on 2.4GHz on the iPad Air. I've tried it with both 20MHz and forcing 40MHz channel width (Asus RT-N66U with Tomato firmware) and throughput I get on 2.4GHz is the same regardless. Heck, if I remember correctly, I even got worse throughput with 40MHz than with 20 (I think around 30Mbps).

That said, I just checked on my laptop and it is faster than the iPad (50Mbps down on the 2.4GHz band). Unfortunately, my internet maxes out at 100Mbps so I don't know of a way to compare max throughput on 5GHz. I can use jperf on the laptop but don't know of an equivalent on the iPad.

 

[Menel]

I don't get why it matters if it is 2.4GHz or 5GHz. The access point is 300mbps and my router is gigabit. It is the iPad I think because my computer gets the full speeds when testing in the same location.

just analyzing variables.

IPads and iPhones follow 802.11n spec and only do 20mhz bandwidth on 2.4ghz no matter what you set router to. Your laptop *might* do 40mhz?

That means. On a 2x2 MIMO, dual spacial stream connection.
2.4ghz = 150mbps link rate, typical at application level ~60mbps.
5ghz = 300mbps, typical ~ 123mbps

2.4ghz, dual stream can do 300mbps if on 40mhz bandwidth mode. But usually not supported well.
40mhz on 2.4 is ill advised, it uses all of the allocated spectrum and channels. It could cause problems for neighbors in tight spaces like apartments. But more, if there are interference sources, it can more degrade your signal.

 

[Zmanbaseball2]

just analyzing variables.

IPads and iPhones follow 802.11n spec and only do 20mhz bandwidth on 2.4ghz no matter what you set router to. Your laptop *might* do 40mhz?

That means. On a 2x2 MIMO, dual spacial stream connection.
2.4ghz = 150mbps link rate, typical at application level ~60mbps.
5ghz = 300mbps, typical ~ 123mbps

2.4ghz, dual stream can do 300mbps if on 40mhz bandwidth mode. But usually not supported well.
40mhz on 2.4 is ill advised, it uses all of the allocated spectrum and channels. It could cause problems for neighbors in tight spaces like apartments. But more, if there are interference sources, it can more degrade your signal.

Even if I stand right next to my access point, I get the same result.
Thanks for that info.

 

[biosci]

How do you setup your AExtremes? Do you have a network ssid for the 2.4ghz signal and another one for the 5ghz signal? Or do you just set it as one ssid and not check the 5ghz network name? Also does making the network name hidden affect performance? Lately, I feel like I've been dropping connections more frequently and wanted to check out and see if there are any tweaks I could do.

In the office where the router is located, I get my full 28mbps wireless and wired speed tests. On my windows computer / TV in another room about 30 ft away it is getting a whole .7mbps. I have no idea why it's so weak there especially since in that area, there's an airport express 2nd gen extending the network.

I did a full reset too of the base station and re setup the network. Not sure if these airport extremes just don't last that long or something else is up. Extreme was purchased late 2012. So it's about a year old now.

 

[Zmanbaseball2]

How do you setup your AExtremes? Do you have a network ssid for the 2.4ghz signal and another one for the 5ghz signal? Or do you just set it as one ssid and not check the 5ghz network name? Also does making the network name hidden affect performance? Lately, I feel like I've been dropping connections more frequently and wanted to check out and see if there are any tweaks I could do.

In the office where the router is located, I get my full 28mbps wireless and wired speed tests. On my windows computer / TV in another room about 30 ft away it is getting a whole .7mbps. I have no idea why it's so weak there especially since in that area, there's an airport express 2nd gen extending the network.

I did a full reset too of the base station and re setup the network. Not sure if these airport extremes just don't last that long or something else is up. Extreme was purchased late 2012. So it's about a year old now.

The extender is not as fast as the router is what you are saying. Right? Going to try and help you.

 

[DayOfChaos]

Take a look at the ASUS AC68U. It's the top of the line, AC router out there in my eyes. You can create your own cloud, seti tit o do Time Machine backups, FTP access, and so many other features.

I also have an AC66U repeating in my home. They just work.

 

[big samm]

Worth it to upgrade router?

For me it was worth it! I also come from a wrt54G , it works fine, my isp speeds are 15mbps down and 10mbps up, so the g router was perfect, until i couldn't airplay my videos from iphone 5s to the apple tv 3. Since videos on the iphone are in 1080p the files are pretty large and needed something faster, because videos would not play well and was constantly re-buffering and the experience was just not good at all. So yesterday i bought a linksys ea4500/N900 and holy cow what a difference!! I can now airplay my videos INSTANTLY no waiting at all, i was really surprised... I get better range to in the condo now every room have full bar wifi! Will soon try to set the router up with both 2.4/5ghz band simultaneously to see which is faster, since the the newest iPhones and iPads now supports both frequencies... Thx to the op for posting this thread!!

 

[Rhyalus]

I have the netgear WNDR4500 N900... Best router I have ever had.

I have 100 down and 35 up and I get very close to those numbers on my new ipad Air, which blows away what I used to get on the 4th gen ipad.

My tests have been on the 5ghz band. I will try it on the 2.4 as well...

R

 

[balzmcfearson]

Very happy with the increased wifi performance of the retina mini. I'm seeing roughly a 20 Mb download and 10 Mb upload increase compared to usage in the same spot with an ipad3.

I pay for 50/25 and have the mimo n router.

My router is in the basement and this is from the first floor.

 

[biosci]

I changed my channels to not conflict with others near me, I also moved my late 2012 AirPort Extreme out of a cabinet and in the open now (the whiteness doesn't look too hit with the decor but oh well). Things are a little better. I am on a 30mbps or so plan from Comcast and see the same speed tests from all devices. Should I see a higher speed rating on a mimo device?

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The extender is not as fast as the router is what you are saying. Right? Going to try and help you.

My extender is a second gen Airport Express. I have two if them. Main base station is 2012 AirPort Extreme.

 

[Zmanbaseball2]

I changed my channels to not conflict with others near me, I also moved my late 2012 AirPort Extreme out of a cabinet and in the open now (the whiteness doesn't look too hit with the decor but oh well). Things are a little better. I am on a 30mbps or so plan from Comcast and see the same speed tests from all devices. Should I see a higher speed rating on a mimo device?

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My extender is a second gen Airport Express. I have two if them. Main base station is 2012 AirPort Extreme.

I do not have airport from apple so I am of knowledge to help you completely.

 

[DarwinOSX]

Does only the latest 'tower' Apple Airport Extreme support MIMO devices or did the older ones do so as well? We usually upgrade our router 2-3 years. We were thinking this new Airport would be a huge upgrade over the previous one but we don't have any AC devices yet. Maybe when AppleTVs and iPhones/iPads become AC. So next year we'll probably upgrade.

As for that modem. We get a lot of 'drops' in service from Comcast and have to reset or power cycle frequently. The modem is 6 years old when we moved in our home. Should I be calling comcast for a replacement or 'newer' model. Does that even make a difference?

You need a new modem now. You aren't using DOCSIS 3 which has major speed and stability improvements.

 

[MartinAppleGuy]

I wasn't entirely sure where to post this, but it seems like it would have the biggest effect on my iPad use at home, so I'm sticking it here.

I currently have a Linksys WRT54G router, and it's super dependable. But I just realized that both the 4S and the iPad 2 are 802.11n compatible (yes, I know 2011 called to say hi, har har).

Has anyone here upgraded to an -n router and seen a noticeable difference in wifi performance out of their 4S or iPad 2?

Get an Airport Express.

 

[biosci]

Worth it to upgrade router?

Switched out modems. Connection to Internet now is more stable but having issues sending that signal throughout the house. When far 'enough' away, streaming is extremely slow to start or drops frequently.

Does the new ipad support tech that's in the new airport extremes? iPhone 5/5s? AppleTV? Because on apples website, it makes it seem like it's 'optimized' for those types of devices plus new computers...

 

[Zmanbaseball2]

Worth it to upgrade router?

Switched out modems. Connection to Internet now is more stable but having issues sending that signal throughout the house. When far 'enough' away, streaming is extremely slow to start or drops frequently.

Does the new ipad support tech that's in the new airport extremes? iPhone 5/5s? AppleTV? Because on apples website, it makes it seem like it's 'optimized' for those types of devices plus new computers...

The new airports have ac network standards. The iPad air still has n which is 1 level below ac.

 

[iMas70]

I'm pretty good with electronics but when it comes to routers, I just know how fast my connection is when I test it. Currently using Comcast's !Blast. Tested on my Mac Mini a few minutes ago -

I followed up with 2 more tests that were 58.82 and 62.45 Download and 11.97 and 12.05 for upload.

Tests on my iPhone 5 and iPad 4 ranged from 32.38 - 41.59 for downloads and 10-11 Mbps for uploads.

Comcast rates their !Blast at 50Mbps.

I've been thinking about getting the AirPort Extreme. I like the automatic backups so I won't have to worry about doing that. Can I expect faster speeds on my phone and iPad? Currently using a rented modem from Comcast. It's an Arris TG862 -

Touchstone Telephony Gateway TG862

DOCSIS® 3.0 residential gateway with 802.11n, 4 Port Router, and 2 voice lines with IPv6 Support
8x4 Channel Bonding
Multi processor technology for highest performance
Energy management and conservation for cost savings
Enhanced WebGUI interface with technician level access

The Touchstone® DOCSIS® 3.0 Residential Gateway is an 8x4 advanced gateway product. The TG862 combines two analog voice lines, a 4-port Gigabit Router, and a 802.11n wireless access point into a single device capable of supporting both home and small office applications. Using multi-processor technology, the TG862 can achieve high bandwidth performance without affecting voice quality, a historical ARRIS product standard. This feature packed unit will lead the future for advanced home and small office services. The TG862 offers full support for a variety of voice codecs, including HD Voice support, as well as multiple call signaling methods – NCS, Legacy SIP, and PacketCable 2.0 IMS. The ARRIS advanced diagnostics offer easy troubleshooting for Cable Operators providing unprecedented visibility and diagnostic tools to insure carrier grade voice services. Operators strive to push the limits on DOCSIS 3.0 performance delivered to the customer with both the Ethernet and the wireless interfaces. The 802.11n wireless interface can deliver the performance desired while also offering improvements in home coverage above those of previous technologies.

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One other question, would the AirPort Extreme replace the router that I'm using from Comcast?

Thanks!

 

[rkuo]

Switched out modems. Connection to Internet now is more stable but having issues sending that signal throughout the house. When far 'enough' away, streaming is extremely slow to start or drops frequently.

Does the new ipad support tech that's in the new airport extremes? iPhone 5/5s? AppleTV? Because on apples website, it makes it seem like it's 'optimized' for those types of devices plus new computers...

Get an extreme or express for your main router. Then test the coverage. The airport's probably have better range than whatever your modem wifi is putting out. If it still isn't great then buy a second express or extreme and use it to wirelessly extend the network.