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Netgear Orbi as simple Access Points to replace Apple Airport Expresses
I have a Netgear router with built-in WiFi that connects to my modem downstairs, and then an Apple Airport Extreme and two Airport Expresses that provide WiFi upstairs where all the living spaces are...
Thank you, that's very helpful! My point-to-point IP provider (MonkeyBrains) is giving me 90 Mbps, so the 100 Mbps currently isn't a bottleneck. I may upgrade the router to that cool looking Nighthawk AXE11000 WiFi Router (RAXE500) at some point in the future, but waiting for it (hopefully) to come down in price. But the Ethernet cabling in the house also is 100 Mbps, so even then it may not be worth it.
I decided to go with the Nighthawk AX6000 WiFi Mesh Extender (EAX80) rather than the Orbi because with its four Ethernet ports it can replace my Airport Extreme as well as the two Airport Expresses. And if it has the range it claims, I won't need any other WiFi AP's.
I have a Netgear Genie R6080 as my router. Would either the Orbi or the Nighthawk play nice with it?
This is a seriously old router. I would replace it with a new WiFi system. Since you are already using several access points, it appears that a new mesh system would be appropriate. As far as what to buy, that's a really tough question. There are so many choices
- eero
- Asus
- Linksys
- TP-Link
- and two competing product lines from Netgear: Nighthawk and Orbi
I am very happy that I own zero products compatible with WiFi6 and will not be facing this decision for at least a couple of years.
I think my router's only three years old. Do you consider that to be "seriously old"?
Are you always this rude to people, or just to the people looking for help in a community? I hope your day job doesn't involve dealing with people.
I've been in software product management for over 30 years - probably before you were born. And I know my way around computers and networks, starting with MS-DOS, 3Com, etc. So stop the snarky attitude.
I assume you know that if I'd turned off the wireless radio on the eeros, I wouldn't have been able to communicate with them via my phone, which I was doing. What would be the point of having eeros or any WiFi device if you turned off the wireless radio?
I spent about five hours over several days with the eero support people (much nicer people than you are), and they couldn't get it to work the way I wanted within my existing network.
Seriously, please don't answer people's questions if you're going to be so rude. I'm sure you think you were making yourself look smart, but you didn't.