• Best Router For Mac Computers

Nowadays, pretty much everyone has a wireless network connection set up at home. Your router’s wireless access point is connected to a certain channel, which connects you to a Wi-Fi network.

That said, if you live in an apartment building or densely populated area, you might experience frequent network timeouts, disconnection issues or an overall slow internet speed. These issues are often caused by the large number of people attempting to connect to the internet, causing an overload of wireless signals using the same network channel. In order to get the best possible Wi-Fi connection in your area, you’ll have to switch to a channel that either has no other users (or significantly fewer users) than the current channel you’re using. In this step-by-step guide, I will show you how to improve your Wi-Fi connection by finding the best Wi-Fi channel for your router, for both PC and cell phone. I will then instruct you on how to set up your router in order to tune into that channel.

Let’s get started. Check for the “RSSI” and “Noise” values. RSSI stands for “Received Signal Strength Indicator.” It tells you how strong the connection between your device and a router is. Noise, also “Noise Floor,” is the sum of all the noise sources and unwanted signals within the connection range. In this case, “Noise” stands for the number of other signals that might interfere with the signal being monitored. Both values are always in negative numbers.

For RSSI, you’ll have to check for the highest number (the higher, the better). But, because they’re negative, it’s important to remember that “higher” will mean as close to zero as possible. For example, an RSSI of -45 is better compared to an RSSI of -70. On the other hand, for “Noise,” you’ll need to look for the lowest number. Again, because these numbers are negative, the lowest number would be the one that’s farthest from zero. For example, -95 is better than -88.

To complete the calculation, we want to measure the difference between these two values. This is called the “SNR” - which stands for “Signal-to-Noise Ratio.” Simply subtract the value of “Noise” from the “RSSI” value to get the SNR value. For example, channel 13 has an RSSI of -49 and the noise is -95. So, to calculate the SNR: (-49) - (-95) = SNR of 46. Ideally, you want to have a high SNR ratio.

The higher this number is, the better the Wi-Fi connection. The major difference between a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz wireless connection is the range and bandwidth. A 5 GHz wireless connection will provide a faster connection, which is most effective at covering shorter distances.

A 2.4 GHz wireless connection is more effective at covering farther distances, but might do so at a lower speed. Note: a 5 GHz connection isn’t nearly as good as a 2.4 GHz connection at penetrating objects and walls. Also, in a densely-populated Wi-Fi area, it’s better to have a 2.4 GHz connection because “Noise” has more influence on a 5 GHz wireless connection. There are various software tools available for your Windows machine in order to figure out which Wi-Fi channel in your area is the best. You can find a few free software applications below:. NetSpot, compatible with Windows 7, 8 and 10. Acrylic WiFi, compatible with Windows 7, 8 and 10.

WiFi Analyzer, available in the Microsoft Store. WiFi Commander, exclusively for Windows 10. All the Wi-Fi scanners listed above are powerful tools to scan your network area. For the sake of this example I will go with WiFi Analyzer, because it’s easy to use and has a neat interface. Step #2 - When you’re in the Microsoft Store, tap “Get the App” to start the download. Step #5 - Click on “Analyze” in the dashboard.

You will see a graph with visuals, indicating what networks are performing best and worst. Below the graph, WiFi Analyzer leaves a recommendation based on the scan results. If the graph is too confusing, look to the bottom left - you’ll see the word “Recommend.” The channel noted below will be the optimal Wi-Fi channel to connect to. In this example, the tool recommends using channel 13. However, we can also draw a different conclusion here. As we know, the closer RSSI is to 0, the better. So, that makes CH1 (matthafner.com) the best channel, because -60 is closest to 0 of all the available Wi-Fi networks in the list.

Linux users have two options when it comes to detecting Wi-Fi channels: you can either run a command line in Terminal, or you can choose to download a more visually-enhanced tool, like Installing software tools on Linux always takes a bit more effort compared to Windows and Mac. So, I recommend using the Terminal utility to scan for the best Wi-Fi network channel in your area.

Launch the Terminal and enter the following command line: sudo iwlist wlan0 scan grep Frequency sort uniq -c sort -n Example output would look like this. Apple designed the architecture of iPhones in such a way that applications can’t communicate with each other, because strict security reasons prevent that. Therefore, it’s impossible to perform a performance analysis of your Wi-Fi network with an iPhone.

It’s only possible if you jailbreak your iPhone, but to avoid that hassle, I highly recommend following one of the other options mentioned above to discover which channel is best for you. That way, once you adjust your router (explained below), you can connect to the new channel - no fancy footwork with the iPhone necessary.

So, by now, you should have been able to successfully identify the best Wi-Fi channel in your area based on the signal strength, least users on a channel and width (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz). Follow the next steps to enjoy a faster Wi-Fi connection: Step #1 - Log into your router’s main dashboard.

If you don’t know how to log into your router’s dashboard,. Scroll down to the “Use the Data to Configure Router Settings” section to follow the steps. Step #2 - When you have successfully logged into your router’s dashboard, tap “Settings.” Under settings, find “Wi-Fi” or “Wireless.”.

Raja made a good case to consider options like Netgear's Nighthawk R700 and R6250, TP-LINK's Archer C7 v2, and Edimax's BR-6478AC. All of them have strengths and weaknesses; some are very inexpensive (less than half what Apple's AirPort Extreme retails for), some have myriad configuration features so you can extensively tweak their performance and abilities. If that sounds good to you, then have at it.

But understand what you're giving up. Simplified setup and management There's a lot more to recommend Apple's devices than simply 'brand loyalty,' as Raja dismisses.

Apple makes its network devices as easy to use as the Mac and the iPhone. And that goes a long way to effectively targeting Apple's customer. That's because, put frankly, most Wi-Fi router manufacturers absolutely suck at making their devices easy to set up and use.

They require you to use web-based interfaces. They present you with page after page of configuration information, myriad checkboxes and radio buttons that are either not well-described or not described at all, clad in techno jargon. Setting up a Wi-Fi router can be tremendously intimidating to the layperson.

Hell, I worked in IT, and I find setting these things up intimidating. Most people buying these devices aren't IT people. They're not computer hobbyists either. They're just regular consumers who know they need Wi-Fi in their home. What's drawn them, by and large, to Apple equipment is because they know it's easy to use and comfortable for them.

The AirPort Utility, by comparison, makes it a dream to set up and run an Apple router. It's included in OS X in the Utilities folder; you can download a Windows version, and a free App Store version is available for iOS devices.

The software's great at connecting your Apple router to the Internet and making sure it's properly configured for whatever you need to do. Apple's network device choices The AirPort Extreme was introduced last year, when Apple's Haswell-based MacBook Air made its debut — the first Mac to support 802.11ac, the faster Wi-Fi implementation that's now standard across the board in every Mac that Apple's released since then.

It comes with three Gigabit Ethernet ports on the back, along with a USB 2 port to attach a printer or an external hard drive that can be shared on the network. A fourth Gigabit Ethernet WAN port is used to connect to your Internet device - a cable or DSL modem or router, for example. But what really makes the AirPort Extreme special is the software that Apple includes on the Mac and makes available for free download for the PC. AirPort Utility, found in the Utilities folder of your Mac, can help you set up and manage an AirPort Extreme within a couple minutes of opening the box.

Apple's Time Capsule is much the same story — it's the exact same device as the AirPort Extreme, though it's equipped with an internal 2 TB or 3 TB hard disk drive that's visible to the Time Machine software built into OS X. That makes it a cinch to use as a network-based backup system for the Mac. You set it once and forget about it, and every time your Mac is connected to the network it'll back up, so you'll always have a way to recover in the event of a catastrophic failure.

I'll readily admit that the AirPort Express is becoming a hard sell. It's a tiny box with unremarkable network performance — relegated to 802.11n — and it's pricey for a device in its category. But two things make it worth considering: Software and AirPlay. It's every bit as easy to configure because it works with the same utilities that support Apple's other routers, and it doubles as an AirPlay audio router.

In other words, if you hook the AirPort Express up to your stereo or to speakers using the mini jack that's built into it, it will appear in iTunes as an AirPlay device, so you can stream audio to it. Other considerations Here's another reason to consider an Apple-branded router: AppleCare coverage. If you've purchased, or plan to purchase, Apple's AppleCare service coverage to protect your Mac, AppleCare also covers an AirPort device.

Here's the relevant details from Apple's North American coverage terms. (i) Under APP for Mac, (a) one compatible Apple branded display if purchased at the same time as the Covered Equipment, (b) an Apple-branded mouse, Magic Trackpad, Apple Battery Charger and keyboard if included with the Covered Equipment (or purchased with a Mac mini), or (c) an AirPort Extreme Card, an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station, Time Capsule, an Apple-branded DVI to ADC display adapter, Apple RAM modules and MacBook Air SuperDrive if used with the Covered Equipment and originally purchased by you no earlier than two years before the Covered Equipment purchase. In other words, you don't need to buy a separate AppleCare coverage plan for your AirPort Extreme, Time Capsule or AirPort Express. It's automatically covered within two years of the AppleCare-covered device's purchase. What this means is that if you have an AppleCare-covered device and something goes wrong with your Apple router, you can call Apple and expect to get help and expect to get it repaired or replaced at no cost to you. That's certainly better than the standard factory warranties of many other routers from other manufacturers. Also, good luck getting competent Mac or iOS-centric support from most of third-party router makers.

The bottom line I've laid out some practical considerations for considering an Apple router for your next Wi-Fi networking purchase, but obviously one size does not fit all, and Haroon Raja makes some great suggestions for people who are more technically inclined and less intimidated by technology. Please and decide for yourself what your next 802.11ac Wi-Fi router should be. And if this nomenclature confuses you, I also recommend Raja's illuminating to brush up on the latest Wi-Fi technology. But getting the best 'bang for your buck' is about more than which router is the fastest or can be configured the most extensively. It also involves how happy you'll be after the sale, and how seamless is the experience of setting up and using the device. People don't just buy Apple routers because they're sycophants and acolytes that will buy anything with an Apple logo on them. I'm sure there are a few people out there like that, but many others do it because they've had positive experiences with Apple equipment and expect the same from Apple's routers — and the devices deliver.

Best Router For Mac Computers

They're trying to reduce stress, eliminate grief to get connected, and make sure they'll get after-sales support and service without dealing with huge headaches. Have you purchased an AirPort Extreme or another Apple router? Are you happy with it? Or are you considering one? Let me know if you have any questions or comments.