[aegingo]

okay guys, I'd like some advice.
A few years back I bought a refurb airport extreme from the apple store. Over the 2 years I've had it, I have had some moderate problems with it which I am fairly certain are caused by a bunko plug for the power (I need to have the cord placed JUST so to keep constant power.) Also, the signal isn't what I expected (I get no reception to my wifes Vaio in the next room - 25 feet away.) Anyway, having just received my tax return, I am contemplating making a change, but I'm unsure about what to do. I have checked all the specs, and I have a few options, which I'd like some input on from fellow mac enthusiasts. Here is how I see it:
Get the airport extreme repaired, which will take a lot of time, and possibly quite a few bucks
Buy a new extreme base station at 180 bucks , and take some time to arrive
Buy an airport express for about 120 bucks, and take some time to arrive
Head to Best Buy and spend 40+ dollars for a Linksys or similar device and get instant gratification
The conundrum is this: I absolutely love the ease of the Apple products - they are seemless and simple, and nice - no bulky antennas and such, no odd PC to apple glitches, and works well with both my iMacs and the Vaio. I lean towards the express because of the airtunes component, and it's simplicity, but worry about the range since the extreme is lacking. The extreme may be overkill, although current range doesn't seem to indicate that. It's also pretty expensive, and a part of me will be ticked off for buying the same thing again, and basically redoing the whole thing. The Linksys (or whatever) is attractive because of the price and availability, but I have reada few forums that indicate they don't always play nice with macs.
So how about somereal world data here, or direction to a place where I can get a better handle on this? I am ready to buy an express as we speak, just to get it sooner, but would like a solid solution that I'll get many years of simple and easy and reliable service from.
Any ideas on this are most welcome and appreciated
thanks in advance.
aric

[macnuke]

I use a linksys.
they do not offer Mac support, so for that reason, i can understand if you don't want to use it.
but I have not had any problems with mine. my isp doesn't offer "g" speeds, so i have a "b" model.
it also offers 4 hardwire ethernet ports as well as the wireless. I turned off the router in it as I the new modem i got from the isp has a router in it.
you can set it up either using the Mac's browser, or your wife's Viao with supplied software.
Car1son linksys setup is a great place for reference should you actually have a question about setup and useage of.
and you can use the extra bucks for RAM /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Nobody]

I suppose it boils down to the fact that if beaming Tunes is worth paying 4 times more to you! /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Linksys and many others would do everything else and more (for example, functioning as an excellent wireless printer spoolers for shared printers-- not sure if the latest from Apple does that!).

[ladyuser101]

I have a Linksys compact. It throws a signal all around the house and into the yard. I can sit at the picnic table with my AlPB or Thinkpad and have internet connection although speed drops with distance. I downloaded the very complete Linksys manuel from the website and follow the instructions exactly. The four wired ports are good for the desktop computers and xBox360.
There is very little range difference between the Linksys compact and the Express. I turned on the AlPB and walked around to check it. I have a house next door also. The signal reaches the front door but not inside. My neighbor by contrast runs a B signal from his second story office and it throws a signal twice as far as mine. I know because I can pick it up as I walk around. There is very little size difference either except for the Linksys wall wart.
The AlPB picks up the Express in a snap. My ThinkPad with Linksys Wireless-G Network Adaptor also picks up the Express with no trouble.
When I open my AlPB, I pick up either signal (Linksys/Express) and all I have to do is click on whichever network I want to use. Both work well. Both travel well for hotels, parties and meetings. The Linksys has a connector for a better antenna. The Express does something with iTunes but I don't listen to music so can't say anything about that. As with any network, both run as slow as the slowest connection on the network. HTH