Macbook with Wireless-N: Best router to combat interference?

Question

My linksys wrt54g has been dropping too much. I've tried every attempt to fix it.

I'm not looking for suggestions to fix what I have, but I want to know what routers are best for my MacBook with a built-in wireless-N card (either a very good G or very good N).

Thanks!

BTW, the problems are with the router itself, not just my MB. Thanks.

Answer 1

Every router operates at the same frequency, atleast 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n does. There is not one that is more resistant to interferance then others. I would purchase a 802.11n router thogh, they do have a tendancy to cover larger areas better.

Answer 2

Actually every 802.11 b/g router can operate at any of 11 different frequencies - they do not all operate at the same frequency. The most common cause of drops is interference from other wireless devices. Before you spend money on another wireless router, you might want to experiment with changing the frequency on your Linksys.

Since most people leave their routers set at the default frequency, the more neighbors you have the more likely you are to be interfering with them. Also, 2.4GHz cordless phones operate in the same frequency range as wireless routers and will interfere with them. Do you notice any pattern to the dropouts? By any chance does your wireless connection drop when your phone rings?

To change the frequency, log in to the router with a web browser (http://192.168.1.1 unless you've changed its default IP address). The default login/password is admin/admin. Go to the wireless configuration and change the frequency. Try 1, 3, 6, 9, and 11 in that order and see if it stabilizes. (Don't forget to save settings each time, and then re-establish the wireless connection from your Mac).

If all that fails, the WRT400N is probably the best Linksys to try. The Netgear WNR834 is a little better.

All wireless access points and routers are not created equal. You can get them with quite a variety of different antennas, power options, range and speed boosters, and similar options. However, in a normal home construction at distances of 50 feet or less, the one you have now or the WRT400N should really do the trick.

Answer 3

The best compatible Router for a Ncard would be Linksys WRT300N Wireless-N Router.