Wireless access points that don't suck?

JimmiG

Platinum Member
Feb 24, 2005
2,024
112
106
When I set up my Wireless G network many years ago, I went through a number of wireless routers that barely worked (probably 4 or 5, I gave them away to friends). They would drop connections, slow to a crawl or simply disappear when you tried to do anything more demanding than basic web browsing from a single computer at a time.

Now I'm looking to upgrade to N finally, and I'm prepared to pay more to get a device that actually works. So how much do you have to pay to get a device that isn't just a glorified paperweight with blinking lights? What's a good "semi-professional" brand (as opposed to the Netgear, D-Link etc. junk)? I do want dual-band, to avoid 2.4 GHz congestion (I live in an apartment complex), and I would prefer an all-in-one device (access point, broadband router and wired switch).
 

Emulex

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2001
9,759
1
71
5ghz is not that great. the WZR-hp300gn buffalo 2.4ghz does 16.5MB/s on congested 2.4ghz with 1.77 stock firmware (non-dd-wrt). plug n play - it auto detects another router and becomes an AP no work involved.

the E4200 (AKA WNDR4000) maxxed out at about 12.5MB/s on 5ghz. sold it. waste of money. junk.

The only other choice that is interested is the dual 450 (2.4ghz) + 450(5hgz) trendnet but not everyone has 450 clients. that should get you a solid 20-25MB/s while tearing a hole in the wifi fabric for everyone else :)