Which to use - Apple Base Station vs. Verizon's Router

[florencevassy]

I am looking to install DSL at my friend’s house where I spend some considerable time these days.

I was looking at what Verizon DSL offers and I see that now they will give you a Wireless Router for $14.95 if you sign a one-year agreement. Has anyone used the Router that Verizon provides or know what the difference between their router and the Apple Base Stations?

It really seems like a much cheaper alternative to The AirPort Extreme Base Station (which I have at home and I love it) or AirPort Express Base Station with AirTunes.

Any opinions are appreciated !

 

[Eidorian]

It's just another bundle craptacular router. I had that option for my SBC/Yahoo! DSL. They were charging $39.95 for it though. I just went out and bought my own Belkin. Just be around to set up some wireless security and you might want to ask what brand their router is.

Unless you need AirTunes or a printer server go with Verizon's. I just love my Airport Express since it's all-in-one.

 

[lanray]

I'll second the Express. Very cool. Mine works well, despite the fact that my PB doesn't do well in terms of reception. It's a blast to play iTunes from anywhere, and with Airfoil, you can do movies and such, too.

 

[thestaton]

If its the Westell 327 stay far away! It will not work via wireless with any intel based mac.

 

[TLRedhawke]

The only reason to use the Airport Express is if you need the USB print server, and AirTunes. For it to be worth the money, one must require both. The only reason to use the Airport Extreme Base Station is if you need the USB print server, and a modem.

Your average D-Link or Linksys wireless router costs maybe $60-70 (Canadian), where the Airport Express is $165 (Canadian), and the Airport Extreme is $250 (Canadian). A wireless router with USB print server from D-Link costs about $100.

Considering that they all work equally well, there is very little reason to throw away your money to buy an Apple router.

 

[GimmeSlack12]

I say go get a LinkSys and don't bother with Verizon's router. The Airport has always seemed a bit expensive to me. Something about Verizon selling a router sounds like a bad idea.

 

[Johnny Rico]

The only reason to use the Airport Express is if you need the USB print server, and AirTunes. For it to be worth the money, one must require both.

Actually for it to be worth the money one must desire either, not require both.

 

[mwpeters8182]

Verizon gave me a linksys router for free when I signed up for the service. It works well, and I haven't had any problems. I usually just use my iPod to listen to music downstairs, so I don't have a need for AirTunes, but like it was mentioned earlier, if you want to stream your music or have a usb print server, go with Airport Express.

MWP

 

[MacNut]

The best solution is don't even bother with DSL and get a Cable Modem instead, much faster.

 

[balamw]

If its the Westell 327 stay far away! It will not work via wireless with any intel based mac.

Used the Westell with my iBook G4 for over a year, and it works fine, albeit spartan since it has limited range, doesn't support WPA (only WEP), doesn't support WDS, etc...

Recently when I added an Intel iMac to the mix, and no wireless connection could be established, I turned off the wireless and still use the 327W as a DSL modem, with wireless provided by a Linksys WRT54GV4 running third party firmware, and while I still have yet to enable WPA or WDS I know it is at least possible and coverage got significantly better.

The best solution is don't even bother with DSL and get a Cable Modem instead, much faster.

YMMV. I actually get much better sustained bandwidth from my 3Mbps/768kbps Verizon DSL than my neighbors do from cable, as I found out when a visitor was complaining about my lack of bandwidth and it turned out he was hooked up to one of the open wireless networks in the neighborhood instead of my net.

B

 

[grapes911]

We have Verizon FIOS at my parents' house. Verizon gave us a free D-Link router. It isn't that bad. It's not as nice as the Linksys at my house, but it does a good job. I wouldn't purchase a router until you try the free one they give you.

 

[florencevassy]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions! I still haven't decided yet althought I might
just pay the $14.95 for the Verizon Router and see it that works well.