Techsurvivors

Archives => 2007 => Topic started by: Xairbusdriver on January 23, 2007, 12:29:24 PM

Title: Wireless Routers vs Macs
Post by: Xairbusdriver on January 23, 2007, 12:29:24 PM: Might want to snag the current report about wireless routers and how to get the best/easiest to use with Macs. Also info on getting stable connections.
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Title: Wireless Routers vs Macs
Post by: Mayo on January 23, 2007, 12:33:53 PM: Good info.

The Really Easy Fix? Buy an Apple base station. Problems Solved. Be Happy!
Title: Wireless Routers vs Macs
Post by: tacit on January 23, 2007, 12:35:08 PM: QUOTE(Mayo @ Jan 23 2007, 06:33 PM) [snapback]116808[/snapback]
Good info.

The Really Easy Fix? Buy an Apple base station. Problems Solved. Be Happy!

Apple base stations are expensive and don't offer some of the functionality of other companies' base stations, which is why I didn't take that route myself.
Title: Wireless Routers vs Macs
Post by: sandbox on January 23, 2007, 03:15:57 PM: Thanks for the link X, like tacit, I prefer other routers for my networks.

I can agree with this list, I've worked in and around most of these routers and have come to the same assessment.
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20070105083013439

Channels need to be considered when problems arise. The only problem that I've had with alternative routers on Apple networks or most likely the problem on Windows/Linux networks have been found in channel selection. If I put my router on channel 4 for example, I can experience the same Dropped connections as is addressed on XABD link. In other word I can create those conditions as simply as changing the channel, so I can remedy the problem by finding a more suitable channel. D-Link and Linksys issues aside.
Title: Wireless Routers vs Macs
Post by: kbeartx on January 23, 2007, 07:48:15 PM: QUOTE(tacit @ Jan 23 2007, 12:35 PM) [snapback]116809[/snapback]
Apple base stations are expensive and don't offer some of the functionality of other companies' base stations, which is why I didn't take that route myself.

I certainly understand your pont of view, b/c you are so tech-savvy, but for some ppl, the absence of setup, config, and connection hassles trumps low price and additional capabilities.
Title: Wireless Routers vs Macs
Post by: kps on January 23, 2007, 11:35:38 PM: I've had good luck with D-Link routers. My old 614+ worked flawlessly for several years until I replaced it with a DIR 625 about 3 weeks ago. It's working very well with my three Macs and two Dell laptops. Maybe I'm just lucky or I'm not using them to their full potential.
Title: Wireless Routers vs Macs
Post by: sandbox on January 24, 2007, 06:23:34 AM: KPS, as you know there are a lot of factors to consider beyond brand.

I find Netgear routers to be plug & play with no problems, and RHP installs a new furnace and his stops working.
Title: Wireless Routers vs Macs
Post by: Xairbusdriver on January 24, 2007, 11:16:15 AM: There's an update on drop outs with Airport routers at today's MFI. According to MFI, Apple uses the same chips that some other manufacturers do, a "Buffalo" chip set, that seems to be easier to use in other brands when connected to Macs. Whatever works is best for what you want to do; but it would appear that one can get the same utility from some non-Apple brands, if careful attention is paid to what's in the box. Whether one wants to save time or money, is the choice. And the money may not be much compared to the time. YMMV.

"Buffalo chips"?! Don't they have a contest in Kansas with those things? Actually, it's "Broadcom" chips from Buffalo Technologies...
Title: Wireless Routers vs Macs
Post by: Al on January 24, 2007, 06:44:52 PM: This is all after wanting to upgrade to wifi for my older powerbook.

I found the linksys wifi router to be unfriendly and took it back.

for the past 6 or 7 months now I have been suffereing with a DLINK DI-624 rev. C wifi router. this router has a documented faulty motherboard that I assume over heats easily or overloads and restarts atleast 4 times a day. sometimes in the most important times! The only way to solve this issue is to send the router to DLINK so they can replace the motherboard. But, what to do about my LAN until it returns? Thus, I didn't even opt to send the router back and do choose to purchase a new router.

All reviews seem so mixed about wifi routers below preN, but, I did choose a Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 router that has since worked flawlessly and performance all around is great. Even signal strength is stronger. Now I want to find a PCMCIA card that is Mac compatible and can take advantage of Mimo.
Title: Wireless Routers vs Macs
Post by: kps on January 24, 2007, 06:48:52 PM: QUOTE(sandbox @ Jan 24 2007, 07:23 AM) [snapback]116864[/snapback]
KPS, as you know there are a lot of factors to consider beyond brand.

I find Netgear routers to be plug & play with no problems, and RHP installs a new furnace and his stops working.

Yup, I hear ya. I think Dick needs to change the channel the furnace is using, maybe set up WAP2 encryption on the furnace too.
Title: Wireless Routers vs Macs
Post by: Xairbusdriver on January 25, 2007, 03:13:01 PM: Latest info comes from a user who claims he fixed his problems by deleting specific .plist files and that his problems started after he'd made the .8 update. I'd take his comments with a few grains of salt as it's really an anecdotal experience. That OS update is many months old, after all. Still, moving a few plist files is simple and quick...