#APPLE AIRPORT EXTENDER REVIEW INSTALL#
#APPLE AIRPORT EXTENDER REVIEW PORTABLE#

#APPLE AIRPORT EXTENDER REVIEW INSTALL#

Which is WiFi extender or WiFi booster?Ī WiFi extender or WiFi booster is a device that is used to improve the coverage and signal strength of a wireless network without having to install additional access points or routers. It also comes with advanced security features like WPA2 encryption and multiple network settings, helping to ensure that your network is secure and your data stays safe. With its easy setup assistant, you can quickly and easily configure your wireless network and be online in no time. AirPort Extreme is also AirPlay-capable, allowing you to stream audio from your iTunes library and mirroring video from your iPhone or iPad. It is capable of connecting to 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi networks and supports simultaneous dual-band operation with 2.4GHz or 5GHz bands. AirPort Extreme is a high-performance wireless base station that uses the latest 802.11ac technology to provide highly efficient and reliable connections to Wi-Fi devices. Yes, AirPort Extreme does have Wi-Fi capabilities. Additionally, 802.ġ1ac allows for two spatial streams in the 2.4 GHz band using Short Guard Interval (SGI) and spatial multiplexing, allowing for an additional throughput of up to 130 Mbps, although this may vary with higher order modulation.ĭepending on environmental conditions, the actual range of 802.11ac may vary between manufacturers. However, with high-end 802.11ac routers such as the Linksys E8350 or Google WiFi Router, the theoretical maximum range can extend to approx.

With 802.ġ1ac, the maximum range may vary. This theoretical range can also be extended with more complex multi-user MIMO configurations and utilizing both 40 MHz channels and higher order modulation schemes such as 256-QAM. Using beamforming, this rate can be amplified to around 867 Mbps. Specifically, the basic mode of 802.11ac has a potential physical rate of up to 433 Mbps. The theoretical range of 802.11ac is determined by its potential physical layer rate, which is based on 20 and 40 MHz channels in the 5 GHz band. What is the theoretical range of 802.11 ac? Despite its age, it is still a viable option for many users and is still available for purchase today. It also features four Gigabit Ethernet ports and two USB 2.Ġ ports to allow for connection of external hard drives, as well as a 6-element beamforming antenna array for improved range. This is still a capable router despite its age and can enable fast speeds of up to 1300 Mbps over dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5GHz) when paired with compatible devices. Its latest version, the AirPort Extreme (ME918LL/A), was released in 2013. The Apple AirPort Extreme has been around since 1999 and while it is considered dated by some, it is still a popular choice for many people. Alternatively, users can also use the wireless settings of their Apple AirPort Extreme and the Wi-Fi settings of their extender to connect the two devices. In terms of setup, users can simply connect their Apple AirPort Extreme to the chosen Wi-Fi extender using a WAN port.

#APPLE AIRPORT EXTENDER REVIEW PORTABLE#

While I was able to pick up strong 5GHz signals one room away, I was only able to connect to the 2.Aside from AirPort devices, popular Wi-Fi extenders that are compatible with the Apple AirPort Extreme include the Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC2200 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender, the Linksys RE6500 AC1200 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Range Extender, and the TP-Link N300 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router.Īll of these devices can provide an improved range and throughput of your current Wi-Fi network. In the first room, one solid brick wall sat between the client devices and the TP-Link RE305, while there are three walls between the client devices and the Wi-Fi extender in the second room. The speed tests below were conducted in two rooms, one next to the room where I’d set up the TP-Link RE305, and another, two rooms along. I installed the TP-Link RE305 in a spare bedroom that’s one floor up and one room along from where my router – a Netgear RBK750 – is set up, connected to a Virgin Media Super Hub that’s set to modem mode – I’m an M200 subscriber, and can comfortably get around 180-210Mbps from my service most days. Note that only the third version (which I was sent for review) has OneMesh support, so if this is of interest to you, be sure to pick up the RE305 V3 model. As I didn’t have a TP-Link router to hand, I can’t comment on how well this works, but the wireless link speeds recorded below should give you some idea of how it’d perform in that capacity.

Apple airport extender review