Router Replacement for Apple AirPort Extreme Network

[primeevolutionary]

I'm embarrassed to even bring this up that I'm still using AirPort Extremes for my network. I have three of them and they still work, but, I'm assuming I'm way behind the technological curve.

What should I be replacing them with these days?

Thank you for your guidance.

[bayswater]

I replaced mine few years ago with the one supplied by the ISP. I've had a few different since then, the common brands you'll see on Amazon, but all to say that I didn't find any of them to work any better than the old Airport, and I only changed out to get a faster signal. I left the Airport in place for a second network for things that don't need the speed.

[cuttime]

I've gone through many high end routers, and the Airport Extreme was really one of the best. I live in a crowded WiFi area, and the solution I've found that works best is a mesh system, which I highly recommend. I use three Google WiFi nodes, and the newer models are Nest WiFi. You can still find Google nodes for sale now and then.

[HCMarkus]

In just reworked my home/studio network. I bought two sets of these:

https://www.tp-link.com/us/deco-mesh-wi ... ly/deco-s4

Each station has three Ethernet ports for hardwiring to the network plus connecting peripherals. All six stations are now meshed together; one in the studio, one outside and four in the house. I have wi-fi everywhere, and it is working nicely.

[mikehalloran]

It all depends on your back end. I have an Apple Time Capsule from 2013 (last year) that supports 802.11ac. If your iSP is no faster, then an upgrade will not benefit you — unless you need a mesh system to cover dead spots in your building.

I'm still on AT&T copper here in the middle of the Silicon Valley. 802.11ac is as fast and robust as I can use.

[primeevolutionary]

Thank you, all. Very interesting about keeping the AirPorts as a secondary network. I appreciate all of the ideas.

[HCMarkus]

I'm still on AT&T copper here in the middle of the Silicon Valley. 802.11ac is as fast and robust as I can use.

My son just had fibre dropped to his home above the bay by Sonic. 10gig, no data cap for a ridiculously small monthly fee.

I'd have to pay three times as much to get 1gig unlimited data.

It is just not FAIR!

[mikehalloran]

I'm still on AT&T copper here in the middle of the Silicon Valley. 802.11ac is as fast and robust as I can use.

My son just had fibre dropped to his home above the bay by Sonic. 10gig, no data cap for a ridiculously small monthly fee.

I'd have to pay three times as much to get 1gig unlimited data.

It is just not FAIR!

Amen! When I worked for AT&T 21 years ago, they had to pay my Comcast bill since they had no internet to my house. They finally got it but it's still not very good. I live 3 miles or less from Apple, Google, HP, Microsoft etc.

Definitely not fair!

[primeevolutionary]

That’s frustrating. My previous home had fibre and it was great. My current home’s area doesn’t have it and it doesn’t seem like it will be coming any time soon. AT&T has something called “Air”, but, I haven’t found any documentation that it is any faster than their regular internet.