A nondescript, forgotten box is probably the real source of all your wi-fi woes: the router.
Brian X. Chen reports that our aging base stations tend to fail without us noticing because they slowly degrade rather than simply stop working.
“It was totally ruining my life,” said Mr. McConnell, who lives in a condominium building in Kirkland, Wash. “Things would work, and then the next morning they wouldn’t work again.”
What Mr. McConnell experienced is a situation we call “Wi-Fi headache,” and it’s an ailment that many can relate to.
I’ve had the same Airport Extreme for six years and I’m pretty sure it’s why my life sucks. The Times and Wirecutter recommend the $93 Archer C7 as the best model going, but it’s the ugliest gadget I think I’ve ever seen in my life. What’s a good choice for a new router with a more discreet appearance? The Google OnHub looks nice, but it also looks like it might be…strange.