Great hardware, but painful software compared to Apple’s AirPort line

I’ve been setting up Wi-Fi networks in my home for years. For a long time I relied on Apple’s AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express units. They weren’t perfect, but they were simple, reliable, and consistent. Setting up multiple APs with the same SSID/password was straightforward, resets were painless, and the AirPort Utility app made everything clear. It “just worked,” and when I had to reset or extend the network, I could do it in minutes without confusion.

When Apple left the router market, I moved to Netgear (Nighthawk and Orbi models). While the hardware is powerful and costly, the experience has been frustrating:

• Multiple management interfaces (browser admin, Nighthawk app, Orbi app, Genie) that don’t stay in sync.
• Passwords that don’t feel stable — Wi-Fi/admin/app/cloud logins all separate and confusing after a reset.
• The apps are clunky and often get in the way instead of simplifying setup.
• Resetting a device is a pain compared to AirPort — it feels like rebuilding the entire network from scratch.

In short: Netgear delivers strong hardware with weak user experience. At these price points, I expect smoother software, easier resets, and a more unified management system.

I really hope Netgear listens — because if Apple could make Wi-Fi this simple 10+ years ago, it should be possible today with even better hardware.