As I discussed in our recent podcast, the NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 wifi router has completely rejuvenated my home network. Transfers that were below 2 Mbit/s are now at my theoretical 7Mbit/s maximum.
The R7000s top data rates are clearly overpowered for my rural, co-operatively managed connection but when it comes to increasing range, as well as device to device transfers, this router is a champ. I’ve long been plagued by my 1st generation Apple Time Capsule’s insanely limited range. Using a series of Airport Express units and the base station, I’d cobbled together a network that covered the house back in 2008 but have never been happy before now. The Nighthawk was my answer.
Simple to work with, I simply swapped out the entire old series of router and repeaters with the one NETGEAR unit. Three medium sized antenna on a bulky and slightly odd shaped box is all it takes, I guess. The upgrades in processor and transmitter/receiver allow this single device to cover a 3 story, 2000 sqft home from the bottom floor (I wish I could move my access point but it is too much trouble.)
The Netgear is easy to use. Configuration via the web interface is straightforward. You have control over everything, if you dig deep in the menus. I don’t need much of it, but I’m glad it is there.
NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 Dual Band WiFi Gigabit Router (R7000)