05-11-2011, 11:40 AM

So, although my trust DIR-655 is still working perfectly, I've been pining for one of the latest 450Mb/s models, particularly a dual-band model that can work simultaneously in 5/2.4GHz. Aside from the AirPort Extreme, which I have given plenty of thought to - what other models should I be looking at?

Maximum PC seems particularly entranced with Netgear's latest high end routers, but as I'm sure most of you networking enthusiasts know, I'm not a fan of their products (or Belkin for that matter).

05-11-2011, 11:47 AM

I've been happy with my Linksys 4200 thus far - although I haven't used any of the external drive features as of yet. Netgear came out with this one just recently - Netgear's N750 wireless router Newspeaks its way to 750Mbps -- Engadget which looks at first glance to have very similar features.

I don't think you can go wrong with the Airport Extreme though. If they put a Thunderbolt port on one - I'll pick one up.

05-11-2011, 11:52 AM

Why do you hate the Airport Extreme?

05-11-2011, 11:53 AM

My new AEBS has worked great so far and we are in the process of trying out Netgear's
newest models in the field to early to give a grade.

05-11-2011, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by schweb

Why do you hate the Airport Extreme?

I don't hate it! I have philosophical differences with it, let's just say

EDIT: Seriously though... aside from the lack of a built-in web interface, the only other shortcoming as I see it is that I can't wall-mount it, and the antennas can't be repositioned for such. They do sell 3rd-party brackets, however, and I have been considering that.

05-11-2011, 12:55 PM

I will say having simultaneous radios in the AEBS works like a charm and back-ups via
usb seem a lot quicker.

05-11-2011, 12:57 PM

I have not kept up with the latest Dlink models but wonder if the latest from is as good as the DIR-655 and has all the features, but also the new features you are looking for? I will do some reading and see what I can find.

The Airport Extreme is a great router but I much prefer the firewall on the Dlink routers I have used of late, also the WWW interface and MAC address cloning which every review I have seen said the AE does not have and needed here where I live.

05-11-2011, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by dtravis7

I have not kept up with the latest Dlink models but wonder if the latest from is as good as the DIR-655 and has all the features, but also the new features you are looking for? I will do some reading and see what I can find.

The Airport Extreme is a great router but I much prefer the firewall on the Dlink routers I have used of late, also the WWW interface and MAC address cloning which every review I have seen said the AE does not have and needed here where I live.

Yeah, that's another good point - I still don't believe the AEBS has an SPI firewall, and I'm a big believer in those.

05-11-2011, 01:35 PM

Been eyeing this one. You could try it out for the rest of us and let us know if this one should become the new Mac-Forums standard bearer or not.

This one's even more high dollar than the 655 was when we all got it 4 yrs ago.


edit:
Amazon actually has it for just a few bucks less than I think I paid for the 655.

05-11-2011, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by bobtomay

Been eyeing this one. You could try it out for the rest of us and let us know if this one should become the new Mac-Forums standard bearer or not.

This one's even more high dollar than the 655 was when we all got it 4 yrs ago.


edit:
Amazon actually has it for just a few bucks less than I think I paid for the 655.

Saw that one, but it doesn't look like it can do simultaneous 5/2.4, it's like two different networks essentially.

Maximum PC just raves about the WNDR3700, and it's priced right too. I'm seriously thinking about buying another Netgear product (heaven help me!).

I really trust their reviews and they have not steered me wrong yet (The DIR-655 purchase was as the result of their recommendation).

05-11-2011, 02:39 PM

I just don't know if I could ever put another netgear anything in my home.

05-11-2011, 02:58 PM

That Netgear sure gets a great review from Maximum PC, but I echo Schweb's concerns about Netgear from past experience. The Dlink DIR-665 has a lot of bad reviews and also CWA, you are right, it's not Simultaneous Dual Band.

05-11-2011, 03:07 PM

What ever you pick I would make sure its IPv6 ready here is a test for those who think they are. Test your IPv6.

05-18-2011, 06:04 AM

I was looking at this router (DIR-655 XTreme N Gigabit Router):

D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Router

- Is this the same DIR-655 that everyone has been recommending for years...or is it an upgraded version of the DIR-655?

I would really like to get a router with wireless printer sharing (I have an older non-wireless HP laser printer that I would like to share over my home network). This DIR-655 "XTreme" seems to have wireless printer sharing...

- Does anyone know how easy it is to set up a printer with it? I usually find that non-Apple products seem to be extremely difficult to set up wireless printer sharing when working in Macintosh environments.

Thanks,

- Nick

05-18-2011, 06:24 AM

Nick, the newer one is supposed to be a revision II and have IVP 6 support, but should be the same otherwise.

There is an app you install and run in OSX that controls the printer sharing from the routers USB port. I tried it once and it worked. That is all I can remember.