Why would you buy a wifi repeater when you can just buy another AP instead?

[JackBurton]

Linksys has a "Range Expander" (repeater) that sells for $87.99. But I can't figure for the life of me, why you'd buy that product when you can get their wireless AP (WAP54G) for $65.99. Is there something I'm missing? Is it just that the repeater is simpler to set up since that is all it does?

 

[JackMDS]

Computer Hardware is made by Manufacturing Robots from plastic and Silicon Chips. Thus it Cheap.

The Major cost is the Research and Development (R&D). That is why Intel/AMD CPU cost a lot when they released and than drop down).

Network Hardware?s R&D is done by very few OEM developers. As a result the cost spreads between all the Brands that package the OEM Hardware and sell it under their name.

If you open the plastic box you will discover that almost all of the hardware inside the Fancy Plastic s consisting on a PCMCIA Radio with interface circuitry and firmware chips.

As a result the ?Marketing Ploys? is the main factor in the pricing of Entry Level Network Hardware.

While some Access Points can be configured as a Repeater it takes some effort to understand the Repeater aspect and configure it (You have first to put it on a computer to access the system and change from default Gateway AP). Many people do not know or do not want to know these aspects, so the Marketer finds a chance to catch them in the Wallet. The so called Expanders (Extender by D-Link) are hard set as Repeaters.

BTW. I do not think that the specific Linksys that you mentioned works as a Repeater.

What is a Repeater? Wireless Network - Configuration Modes.

Bridging Wireless in general: Wirelessly Bridging Home / SOHO Network.

:sun:

 

[JackBurton]

BTW. I do not think that the specific Linksys that you mentioned works as a Repeater.

Yep, it sure does. I just set it up as one (WRT54G > WAP54G > client wifi card). That is the reason for my question. If people are paying more for the "Range Expander," just because it is simpler to set up, I guess I can understand that. I assumed that was the case, but just wanted to verify.

Thanks Jack!

 

[JackMDS]

Thanks, good to know.:thumbsup:

Taking into the consideration the reachness of the WAP54G, it would be silly to buy an Expander even if it was cheaper than WAP54G.

:sun:

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Thanks, good to know.:thumbsup:

Taking into the consideration the reachness of the WAP54G, it would be silly to buy an Expander even if it was cheaper than WAP54G.

:sun:

Another thing to consider is that using modified firmware, you can increase the WAP54G's signal strength quite a bit. That "Range Expander" better have some crazy ass range to rule out the WAP54G. But I just don't see that happening.