03-30-2012, 03:55 PM
I'm actually impressed with the latest two versions of the Airport Extreme (the latest being even better in regards to signal strength). I replaced a router with a 13 dB external antenna with one Airport Extreme (previous generation) and get full coverage in a two story house. Base station is on the lower level, roughly in the middle, but against a wall that is 1/2+ dirt on the other side.
I also replaced two Buffalo's with 5 dB external antennas at my folks place to connect their front and rear houses. Used one current and one previous generation. Admittedly, it barely made the connection there, but it also has to cut through a bit of tin roofing. Two current gens would likely be better, but I already had the one previous gen sitting around. Now that it's up and running, it's been infinitely more reliable than the previous setup.
Best Buy has had refurbs of I believe the current gen for $100 lately.
I also replaced two Buffalo's with 5 dB external antennas at my folks place to connect their front and rear houses. Used one current and one previous generation. Admittedly, it barely made the connection there, but it also has to cut through a bit of tin roofing. Two current gens would likely be better, but I already had the one previous gen sitting around. Now that it's up and running, it's been infinitely more reliable than the previous setup.
Best Buy has had refurbs of I believe the current gen for $100 lately.