Help -- Which Router ... ???

vja4Him

vja4Him

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We need to get a new router ... When I get my new Mac Pro 3.33GHz (soon!) the modem (Clearwire) will be hard-wired to my Mac Pro.

My youngest son's computer (HP Slimline) will be hard-wired to the router. My oldest son's computer (HP Pavillion Elite) will connect wireless. Our laptops (iBook G4 and PowerBook G4), and our roommate's laptop (MacBook Pro) will all connect wireless.

I've was looking at the DGL-4500, but recently have learned that it will not allow 2.4/5 GHz connection simultaneously. I've also been looking at the DIR-655 Xtreme and the DIR-825.

I know almost nothing about routers, and have no clue what I should be looking for ....

I've been using my D-Links 524 router for almost six years, which has been working flawlessly! But we are having too many problems with our connection signal, lagging, getting disconnected and having to reboot the modem/router too often. And now we have so many computers to connect online.

Both of my boys are doing online gaming, and so they need solid, stable connections.

I don't mind paying $200 or more for a high-end router. Also, I want to have free tech support for at least a couple years (like I did with my old D-Links 524).

Suggestions ....
 
All you need is one Mac with 10.5.7 or higher (orPC with WinXP SP3, or higher), which would be the one that can change the setup and administer the base station. You don't need that level simply to connect to the Airport network, or use the ethernet hub on the base station itself.
 
noah_678 said:
Hi A wireless router's antenna technology generally determines its WiFi signal strength and hence its range. Generally speaking, 802.11g wireless routers offer better WiFi range than comparable 802.11b units due to improved antennas.
802.11n and WiFi Router Range
In general, wireless routers currently offering the best WiFi signal range, however, are 802.11n sometimes called "wireless N" units. Where standard 802.11b and 802.11g routers contain just one WiFi radio and antenna, wireless N routers contain two or three radios specifically designed to maximize WiFi range. Note that the actual range and performance of any wireless router varies substantially depending on conditions of the environment such as obstructions and radio interference.
Increasing WiFi Range - Do It Yourself
The standard antennas shipped wih wireless routers work omni directionally. Omni directional antennas distribute their signal equally in all directions. These antennas provide more uniform coverage in a radius, but they also limit the signal's reach in any particular direction.
Some routers support replacement of their standard antennas with upgraded "aftermarket" ones. Many aftermarket WiFi antennas work directionally, meaning their radio signals can be focused in a specific direction. All other things being equal, replacing the omni directional antenna on a wireless router with a directional one will increase its range. I think you will like my thought.
All the best!!!!!!
noah_678

msds authoring software
Click to expand...

Sounds like a cool idea! I don't think we need directional antennas though. We only need to connect computers in our home. The farthest distance would be in the far bedroom, about 30 feet, and the living room, about 25 feet. Also, there are computers in too many directions (six computers in all).
 
Nope. Your space is small and the AirPort Extreme will handle well in all directions. Best placed on a high shelf near the center of your home.
 
I'm seriously considering the DIR-825 router .... which is compatible with Tiger. The range on this router looks good, well over 200 feet, which is much farther than we require.
 
Did you miss the post stating that "compatibility" of the AirPort Extreme only refers to the computers needing to configure the router? Any computer that supports wireless will be able to connect to the Internet through it. Read the full tech specs' system requirements matrix.
 
earthsaver said:
Did you miss the post stating that "compatibility" of the AirPort Extreme only refers to the computers needing to configure the router? Any computer that supports wireless will be able to connect to the Internet through it. Read the full tech specs' system requirements matrix.
Click to expand...

I want to be able to connect one of our older computers to the router as well, so that is why I can't go with the AirPort Extreme router.
 
Any computer with an AirPort or other wireless card can connect to the AirPort extreme to get on the Internet and any computer with an Ethernet port can connect to it wired. Once more, 10.5.7 on a Mac or XP/SP3 or Vista/SP1 is only the requirement for being able to change the Extreme's settings.

Thus, you can connect your older computer as well and get online; you only won't be able to configure the Extreme from that computer.
 
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