Will a better wi-fi router improve things?

[IHateMyJob2004]

Part of me thinks all the antennas are a gimmick.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/netgear-...&skuId=1754208

But at the same time ... on occasion I will watch Netflix on my TV which is about 30 feet from my router and I can see the video quality changing as I am watching it.

I might tinker with channels later. Any advice. I have what is about a 3 year old router that cost about $80 at the time. I forget the model. It was a "popular" model and I know it is a Linksys. I think it is the E2000:
http://www.zdnet.com/article/cisco-...-series-routers-wireless-n-advanced-features/

 

[smitbret]

Part of me thinks all the antennas are a gimmick.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/netgear-...&skuId=1754208

But at the same time ... on occasion I will watch Netflix on my TV which is about 30 feet from my router and I can see the video quality changing as I am watching it.

I might tinker with channels later. Any advice. I have what is about a 3 year old router that cost about $80 at the time. I forget the model. It was a "popular" model and I know it is a Linksys. I think it is the E2000:
http://www.zdnet.com/article/cisco-...-series-routers-wireless-n-advanced-features/

I would like a little more info as to what needs to be improved.

That's a great router, but unless your wireless clients are AC clients (or you have future plans to upgrade them) then that router is overkill. If your issue is just range and coverage then you would probably be better off getting something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-144-_-Product

and then wiring in your Linksys as an Access Point.

You should get plenty of adequate coverage between the two. The TP-Link that I linked can run simultaneous dual-band and a lot of people will run their media across the 5GHz band because they get less interference. The range will be about half to 2/3 that of 2.4GHz but if you plan it out it should be fine and be able to stream NetFlix in full HD without much trouble, across either band, really.

If your cellphone provider is T-Mobile you can pick up their Cell Phone Hot Spot for a $25 deposit and no monthly cost. The router is an Asus RT-AC68U with a T-Mobile firmware. That model is the Asus equivalent of the router you linked and the two are broadly considered the best of the AC1900 routers. I'm using one now and it's great.

 

[Cerb]

I cannot speak for that specific router, but no, antennas are not gimmicks, either on the AP/router side, nor the client NIC side.

I have generally had good luck with TP-Link, and would give that one a shot, for $57.

Wifi isn't perfect in general, but the E1200s and E2000s from years ago seem to be flaking out and dying a lot, lately, so I would replace it, before trying anything else.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Having an awesome router is only half the battle - the signals from your client device (which usually have much smaller antennae) also have to be strong enough to make it back to the router.