Should I upgrade my router?

[woolfe9999]

Hi, I know next to nothing about networking so bear with me.

I have an e2000 router. I recently hooked up a Panasonic BluRay with Wifi to stream Netflix. It is all the way across the house from the router. It tells me the signal is weak (2 bars out of 5). The performance while streaming is adequate most of the time, but it pauses from time to time. Also, my wife complains that she doesn't get a connection on her iphone in about half of the house.

Is it worth it for me to upgrade to an e4200 or e3000? I can get an e4200 for $100 refurbed, e3000 for $55. In the alternative, is there a way to troubleshoot my existing hardware to improve performance?

- wolf

 

[NXIL]

Also, my wife complains that she doesn't get a connection on her iphone in about half of the house.

Is it worth it for me to upgrade to an e4200 or e3000? I can get an e4200 for $100 refurbed, e3000 for $55. In the alternative, is there a way to troubleshoot my existing hardware to improve performance?

- wolf

Hi Woof,

key words there: wife; complain!!

Answer to upgrade question: capital Yes.

The e2000 is not known for long range:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2365551,00.asp

www.smallnetbuilder.com is down right now (they need to work on their small net), but as I recall the test results for the e2000 were not impressive. (aka Linksys WRT320N: same hardware)

Read some small net builder articles--I think you will find that your choices come down to the Cisco Linksys e4200, or, the Apple Airport Extreme--

Yes, do not dismiss the latter. It will work really well with the wife's iPhone--it has great range, and is hassle free--since you said you are not a big networking/wireless guru, it might be perfect for you.

oh; the e4200: there are now two versions, and the newest one has not been reviewed yet from what I can see. Interestingly, they went to the type of hardware that was inside the Airport Extreme, from what I read, Marvell.....

Airport has better cooling than the e4200, and from reviews: works really well, low hassle factor.

hth gl

nx

 

[NXIL]

Signal from e2000/WRT320N (same machine, it just got renamed by linksys when they did some updates) falls off rapidly at longer range.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wire...e-wireless-n-router-reviewed?showall=&start=2

e4200 v 1 (version 2 not tested yet) or Airport Extreme do great at range.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

I agree with the airport extreme, VERY solid device. Great range and easy to use and has enough power to do anything you need.

 

[woolfe9999]

Just when I thought I wasn't going to get a reply, and I get 3 good ones. It's nice when multiple people agree as it makes the decision easier. Thanks!

PS: great website, smallnetbuilder. That's the kind of info I was looking for.