NETGEAR Universal Wi-Fi Dual-Band Range Extender: Add some extra power to your existing network and access the Internet in areas of your home that were once dead zones. The FastLane feature of this universal range extender offers high-speed Wi-Fi over a single band, which makes for quick and consistent HD gaming and video streaming.
I bought this extender because the wireless signal from my Netgear Router in my home office was being dropped when I was using a laptop in my living room. I installed the extender in my living room and have had no more problems. I am also streaming video with a Sony Blue Ray Player that I have hard wired to the extender and this is also working fine. The extender actually creates a new wireless network between itself and the wireless devices that you want to connect to it. This means that if you are using security such as WPA2-PSK you will need to create a new SSID and key that your wireless devices will use when you want them to go through the extender. I had it up and running with both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands in about 15 minutes. Most of that time was setting up the new WPA2-PSK security for the two new SSID's. The other point that may seem obvious but is worth mentioning is that even though the connection from your computer to the extender may be great all you're really getting for a connection to the internet is what the extender gets to your router. Therefore it is very important to locate it so that it is getting a good strong signal from the router. The indicator lights on the front are very helpful for this and I discovered that moving the unit just a couple of feet can have a huge impact on signal strength.
What's great about it: Dual band, seamless connection once set up
Choose this NETGEAR router and receive high level wireless security, the ability to share photos, music and more, and a way to keep track of your kids’ activity online. Plus, with easy installation for tablets, smartphones and computers, you’ll be able to start enjoying Wi-Fi throughout your home right away.
I bought this router because I wanted a router with a USB port so I could attach a hard drive. I have several computers both wired and wireless, a wired network printer, several wireless cameras and I stream Netflix to my wireless blue ray player. I added a Seagate 1 TB hard drive to the router USB which I am using to record the cameras and also share files. So far this router has handled all that with no problem at all. One of the main reasons I chose this over the Linksys is configuration is easily handled through a browser without having to work thru additional software installed on a computer.
What's great about it: Easy to set up without additional software
What's not so great: Flashing blue lights for wireless