[Surfer]

OK, now that I have built in Airport I need a basestation.

These are my options so far:

Apple Extreme Airport station: $249 (or $199)

Pros:

Nice design
Built in modem (good when going to place with no broadband)
Built in printer server

Cons:

Range so so
Expensive
No Switch

D-Link DI-624 (Airport Extreme): $129

Pros:

Good range
Can attach two external antennas
Cheap
built in switch

Cons:

No printer server
Large & ugly


I can't decide which to get??? I like apples basestation as it looks cool and has the printer server. But I do like D-links price, range and extendability with antennas.

My main concern with the Apple basestation is range! I have heard that the range is very poor. I basically need the basestation for a 3 floor house and in the garden surrounding the house. The house has wood walls!
Anyone with apple basestations that can say how the range is? I will be using a Powerbook Ti 1GHz.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

[aaanorton]

Also check out:
The MR814 is a solid unit with decent recep and an external antenna. Plus, it's a steal at 52 bucks from buy.com.

I own, and am very happy with an Asante FR3002AL. It has a built-in print server too. No complaints on recep. Flawless service for 2+ yrs. Since I bought this, they've released the FR1004AL. Similar feature set, print server AND external antennas. And it's cheaper to boot. Oh, and all the Asante routers bridge AppleTalk fine, if that's an issue.

One real cool thing about the AEBS is its wireless bridging. If you needed further recep at your place, you could just plug in another AEBS and it would pick up the 1st's signal and extend the range.

[Surfer]

Thank you for your reply!

that MR814 model looks very nice The price is amazing!!!
Unfortunately netgear don't sell that model in Sweden!! I have no idea why!! They only sell the old MR314 model.

Anyone that owns the AEBS that can confirm if the range wood be OK in my house?

Thanks

[Surfer]

Just found this one: SMC 2804WBR
Anyone have any experience with SMC routers? Do they support Appletalk?

I like the Apple basestations but I am getting the feeling when reading old posts that they have very poor range. The D-link, netgear and SMC routers seem to have at least twice as good range!

[Morom]

I used to have the MR 314 in my apartment but the range on it was crappy to say the least. I had one of my PC's about 15 feel away that got no signal, and another one that was about 10 feel away that got 100% signal....(yes, and did try moving both antenna's around and all that is implied with that...).

I recently switched to the AEBS when I got my new 12" Powerbook and haven't had any complaints about it since then. All my computers are able to get a signal. Plus, even living in a brick wall apartment building, I can take my powerbook outside and a good 50 feet away (through about 3 brick walls) and still have one bar of signal.

I have my printer hooked up to the AEBS and have setup both my Mac and PC's to print to it, which is great. I haven't had any problems with the AEBS that I can think of and would definetly recommend it to anyone.

[Surfer]

Wow, it does sound like the improved the range in the new basestation!
So, what is the max distance you are getting? 100ft?

[Morom]

In my apartment with the brick walls, I'm limited in my range, but not much when I'm actually inside my apartment. Inside I can walk in any room and still have at least 3 bars if not 4 of signal. Once I get outside it starts to degrade pretty quickly since I venture out beyond the brick walls. The greatest distance I have probably gotten outside through the walls of my apartment building is about 75ft +/-. Since I really don't need coverage beyond that, I call it a nice security feature to prevent war-chalking my network.

[hsvgoku]

How about using the Dlink DI-614+ ? Its not as good looking as the Airport station but it works really well. You can but anthenna which can increase the range alot better.