Why does Netgear force you to purchase a minimum of two units (router and satellite)? Not all applications require that. Is there some "technical" reason this is necessary that I've not discovered?
My guess is no one at Netgear expected to have enough customers wanting to purchase a "mesh" system without any satellites to create and stock such a product.
Netgear offers numerous WiFi routers. The distinguishing characteristic of the Orbi product line is the "mesh" capability, where one router and one or more satellites are connected to create a larger seamless WiFi coverage than a single WiFi router can. There are strict limits on the strength of WiFi radio signals and the only way to extend coverage is to install more WiFi access points.
A single RBRE960 router with zero satellites has no advantage over a single WiFi6E router.
A single RAXE500 is the functional equivalent of a single RBRE960.
The only significant differences (that I see) are:
The RAXE500 has two functioning USB ports which can be used to connect printers or USB hard drives, while the RBRE960 has no USB ports.
I understand your point, well taken. But it's not really another product -- it's just the router. And we can expand into a mesh later when we need to. I think that's reasonable.
As for the signal limitations, I remember (way back) where you could hack the Linksys 802.11g signal beyond legal limits - I had amazing coverage 🙂
Thanks for responding.
Updating my reply. I went to Amazon to do some price comparison shopping and here I found:
