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Range extender for iMac and Macbook air wifi
I have a 2010 iMac 21.5 desktop which has an internal wifi router so that I can connect to my ISP from my 2011 Macbook Air 11" in the room immediately downstairs, and another room almost 20m away downstairs. However, I am concerned that the speed of my connection on my Macbook Air decreases considerable as the distance increases from my iMac. In fact in my studio which is attached to the back of my garage and about 30m from the iMac I get no wifi signal at all. I am wondering what is the best solution for increasing the wifi strength both within the house and to the outside studio.
My iMac is connected to an ipstar modem which receives my broadband connection from a satellite dish on my garage wall. Wireless or ADSL broadband connection is not available in our remote New Zealand location.
I'd appreciate any help anyone can give me.
Cheers
Roger
The concern is with the latter: access to the iMac through the modem connection.
8 Replies
How is your iMac connected to your modem? Via Ethernet cable or via Wi-Fi? And where is the modem located in your house?
Thanks so much. The iMac is connected by ethernet cable. THe modem is located upstairs immediately beneath the iMac and just off mid way along the length of the house. Cheers, Roger.
Due to the vagaries of Wi-Fi and its sensitivity to the environment, it's difficult to come out with an outright recommendation that is guaranteed to meet all of your needs. You could start off by purchasing a Wi-Fi router with external antennas and use it in place of your iMac, which you seem to be using as a hotspot. The Wi-Fi router is likely to broadcast a much stronger signal. It will also consume less power than your iMac, which you can turn off when not in use.
The signal from the router may or may not be strong enough to reach the studio. The walls between a house and the garage are often very thick. Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing a priori whether the signal will be strong enough. You may need to supplement the router with either a wired Access Point (AP) or a wireless range extender. A wired AP is preferred because it is usually faster, but you must be willing or able to run an Ethernet cable or set up a Powerline network that will allow you to set up an AP in or near the studio. Otherwise, use a range extender.
You could even start with a range extender and continue using your iMac as a hotspot.