Access point hardware questions

Dconn

Reputable
Mar 16, 2014
4
0
4,510
Hey so I've looked online and there seems to be no clear explanation why a consumer router that can be turned into an access point, like an Asus ac68u, is the same price as a standalone access point like the Cisco wap321. So I guess the question I am asking is which would one consider better? Even though the Asus router technically has better technology I'm confused why they are priced the same.
Thanks,
David
 

RealBeast

Titan
Moderator
Consumer routers are much more a mass market product, so their extra features don't cost any more than consumer quality APs, a product that is not as much of a mass produced item. Unless doing a commercial job I would not use an AP over a router configured as an AP.

The commercial APs, much more $$, have many more features and support many more connections than consumer products.

I would not recommend an AC router as an AP unless you actually use AC adapters, go with an RT-N56U instead -- excellent dual band with great range and much cheaper.