Best Wireless Access Point 2011?

hughythomas

hughythomas

hughythomas

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Hi guys!

I was just wondering what was the best Wireless Access Point currently on the market? I'm really looking for a home product which is quick and powerful (but has to be affordable and accessible).

I recently purchased a Linksys (by Cisco) WAP610N and it reboots every half hour or so unless you set it to 2.4Ghz, 20Mhz...plenty of people reporting this online:

http://homecommunity.cisco.com/t5/Access-Points/WAP610N-Rebooting-under-load/td-p/293340

So I'm really looking for something that can easily handle 300MBPS+ with good range and 5Ghz Dualbanding.

Thanks in advance!

Tom
 
If we're talking home products I'm using Netgear WNR2000's. Don't need the router functions but they are inexpensive second hand (both of mine cost under a tenner on fleabay) and have been rock solid stable for months, vast improvement over my Linksys WAG160N which needed power cycling every day. My laptop can only connect at 150Mb/s and gets around 70Mb/s actual throughput on file transfers, plenty for watching HD video. If i need to transfer lots of files I use a cable and gigabit expresscard nic.

They are 2.4Ghz band only however, and limited by a 100Mb internal switch so you're never going to get more than that.

If you're really after the best you'll need to look into enterprise grade kit, like the Cisco Aironets which are serious money for the features you want.
 
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Cisco Aironet 1142 IMO is the best indoor router.

I have a WAP610N and I think its completely dire!
 
Thanks again for the replies guys. I gotta say the WNR2000V2 does look the best so far (especially considering the price) but I really want the following:

300Mb/s N support
Dual band 2.4Ghz/5Ghz
Gigabit Ethernet
USB ideally
Affordable

I have searched and searched and searched but the closest I can seem to get is the NETGEAR WNDR3700-100UKS although it's got completely mixed reviews. Notice it is a router though - am I right in thinking I can just disable the modem and simply use it as a Wireless Access Point? I am in a recording studio up the garden and the house already has a Netgear router. I just need fast wireless as I can't keep shutting my network cable in between the control room/live room door all the time!

Many thanks again for your thoughts

Tom
 
hughythomas said:
Thanks again for the replies guys. I gotta say the WNR2000V2 does look the best so far (especially considering the price) but I really want the following:

300Mb/s N support
Dual band 2.4Ghz/5Ghz
Gigabit Ethernet
USB ideally
Affordable

I have searched and searched and searched but the closest I can seem to get is the NETGEAR WNDR3700-100UKS although it's got completely mixed reviews. Notice it is a router though - am I right in thinking I can just disable the modem and simply use it as a Wireless Access Point? I am in a recording studio up the garden and the house already has a Netgear router. I just need fast wireless as I can't keep shutting my network cable in between the control room/live room door all the time!

Many thanks again for your thoughts

Tom
Click to expand...

Yep just connect a LAN port to the rest of your network, disable DHCP, and do your wireless settings. No need to touch any of the rest. It'll already be set up to bridge between the wireless and the LAN side.

I think that considering the price, you'd be disappointed in the real world performance of a consumer "600Mb/s" AP. The smallnetbuilder reviews of various 600Mb/s AP's don't show them doing any better than 90Mb/s best case, which isn't much more what I get out of my WNR2000v2's.
 
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Apple AirPort Extreme

Dual band simultaneous (N & G/B) + guest network, rock solid, USB expansion for wireless printing etc, gigabit ethernet and the range is good :)
 
EVH I think you might be onto something there. I had't even considered Apple.

It seems to have everything I need and for a good price plus being able to plug in a USB HD and access it remotely which is a pretty damn cool idea. Surely there must be some drawbacks? Is it slow at sending files over the network? Does it perpetually reboot itself like this god damn Linksys WAP610N?

Otherwise, that Netgear WNR2000v2 looks like the next best.

Cheers!

T
 
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Never had any issues here. I'd be another in a heartbeat if mine died.

I have the 1TB Time Capsule (same device with the extra 1TB drive inside), if you want to buy that? Via the members market of course :)
 
Tempted by your offer EVH!

How aboot the Asus RT-N56U though?

I know its a router but could I do the disabling of the DHCP thingy and still just use it as a wireless access point?

It looks good, is fast, has usb for my external HD and has dual band...think I might be onto a winner?

What say you?

T
 
hughythomas said:
EVH I think you might be onto something there. I had't even considered Apple.

It seems to have everything I need and for a good price plus being able to plug in a USB HD and access it remotely which is a pretty damn cool idea. Surely there must be some drawbacks? Is it slow at sending files over the network? Does it perpetually reboot itself like this god damn Linksys WAP610N?

Otherwise, that Netgear WNR2000v2 looks like the next best.

Cheers!

T
Click to expand...

Much as I lvoe it the greatest disadvantage is the lack of a web GUI, you have to use a client to configure it. The client is excellent and already installed on Mac OS but if you're using windows it's an extra download.

I don't consider it a big deal over all (though I'm a mac user), you don't configure it often and though it's a little hassle you get a well priced and very reliable access point. I haven't ever found anything as solid as the Airport Extreme in that price range myself.
 
It's pretty much set and forget.

I set mine up when we moved in, and apart from firmware updates I haven't bothered looking at it since :)!
 
Cool thanks for the replies I will setup a new thread pitting the Asus against the Apple against the Netgear then as they seem the closest to my requirements.

Thanks again
 
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