The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thread!

[Ken]

OK networking gurus, learn me wireless routers.

I have an AirPort Extreme that I got in... 2011? I think. Maybe 2010. It's from college. Does 802.11n, is dual band, has some wired ports and a USB port for a printer or hard drive. All of that, I like. What I don't like is that the range is diminishing and speed is suffering as a result. The roommate and I have noticed issues on all our devices and the router hasn't changed locations since we moved in, so I think it may just be time for a new one.

Our interwebs is Comcast and I own the modem, so I can't/won't get their shitty rent-a-router.

Tell me what I should get. Presumably 802.11ac is the new hotness. I want all the other features from the Apple router to remain. A new AirPort Extreme is $199, so if I can't spend less than that, I'll get another Apple router. If I can do it for half the price (or even less than that!) I'd be thrilled.

We have the router on the middle floor of our 3-story townhouse and want good range both upstairs in the bedrooms and downstairs in the basement/garage.

AC is definitely the way to go, you're also going to want GB ports (which i believe the AirPort extreme had) for your hardwired stuff just to future proof in case you get over 100MB internet.

I bought the following and i absolutely love it, great reception and was very easy to install. It also allows for some more advanced features should you feel the need, it's pretty much their nerdy/SMB offering - http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-Dual-Band-...B00UVN20T0

If you want something a little simpler but still nice - i installed the following at Toni's parents house and coverage has also been pretty solid. This is a more typical consumer facing model but still does really well. http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-AC1750-802...ear+AC1750

To save a couple bucks take a look at the certified refurbished models, that's how i bought my AC1200 and it works perfectly fine.

Also both come with a neat little app that allows you to view some basic settings and remotely re-boot, which is nice. You can even set them to allow true "remote" access by typing in the network address of the AP so that you can reboot from outside the WiFi network.