The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Best Access Points for 802.11 N/AC?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by HTWingNut, May 16, 2015.

  1. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

    Reputations:
    21,580
    Messages:
    35,370
    Likes Received:
    9,877
    Trophy Points:
    931
    I have an Asus RT-AC66U router and it's worked beautifully for me.

    I am likely moving into a new home and this house I think I will need an AP or two to reach a couple far reaching spots in the home.

    What would you recommend as a basic trouble-free 802.11 N/AC AP?
     
    HTWingNut, May 16, 2015
    #1
  2. downloads

    downloads No, Dee Dee, no! Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    7,729
    Messages:
    8,722
    Likes Received:
    2,230
    Trophy Points:
    331
    I would buy a router and use it as AP if I were you.
    There are a couple of decent 802.11ac routers that could do the job but the budget would have to be known to suggest something more specific.
     
    downloads, May 16, 2015
    #2
    WhatsThePoint and alexhawker like this.
  3. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

    Reputations:
    21,580
    Messages:
    35,370
    Likes Received:
    9,877
    Trophy Points:
    931
    I'm willing to spend $200-$250 for a quality router/AP if it has good strong signal and consistent. I'd obviously rather spend less, but I don't want some cheap crap that will keep failing on me.

    I may consider buying a nice new router to replace my Asus RT-AC66U and use it as an AP.
     
    HTWingNut, May 16, 2015
    #3
  4. hmscott

    hmscott Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    7,110
    Messages:
    20,384
    Likes Received:
    25,139
    Trophy Points:
    931
    You can get another RT-AC66U and set them up in bridge mode:

    FAQ - How to setup media bridge mode on RT-AC66U?
    http://support.asus.com/FAQ/Detail....D-29F7-D0C7-6E04-BA444E44B750&p=11&m=RT-AC66U

    Or, use this purpose built Asus Range Extender/AP/Bridge EA-N66, but it's not 802.11ac:
    https://www.asus.com/us/Networking/EAN66/

    The dlink DAP-1650 with 802.11ac looks better, especially at 5ghz, for the same price:
    http://us.dlink.com/products/access...less-ac1200-dual-band-gigabit-range-extender/

    D-Link Wi-Fi Dual Band Range Extender DAP-1650
    http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2483164,00.asp
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2015
    hmscott, May 16, 2015
    #4
  5. baii

    baii Sone

    Reputations:
    1,420
    Messages:
    3,925
    Likes Received:
    201
    Trophy Points:
    131
    either those business class AP or just use a router. Consumer performance AP cost as much as their router counterpart which make no sense.
     
    baii, May 20, 2015
    #5
    downloads likes this.