gdgt

I have had a NETGEAR WNR1000 for at least 2 years and decided to buy an Apple Airport Express (Refurb) so I could take advantage of Airplay, Airprint and possibly have a better wireless router because Apple products are expected to perform among the best.

I set up Airplay and though it was tricky at first, I got Airprint set up (I have an iPhone, but use a PC). However, now it seems that I am having more issues with my internet connection with my laptop. I played with the settings adjusting the multicast from 2 to 11 and now down to 1mbps. No real difference, but I think that my connection suffers the most during peak hours (7pm to 9pm).

So now for my set up: I have a standard Motorola Surfboard SB5101 from Comcast (I live outside Boston) and I have tried setting up the Netgear router from the Surfboard and then the Airport Express from the Netgear, but that just doesn't seem to work. I would like this to work in this daisy-chaining sort of way so I could still plug devices (Cable box, PS3) directly into my Netgear router. However, I have tried this many times without success and feel that speed and reliability of my connection would still be liable to the Netgear router, where I would expect just using the Airport Express would improve it greatly, right? Any thoughts on that?

Though having all three devices connected would be my ideal set up, I am happy removing the Netgear router from the equation. When I do this, my wifi is always "connected" to my laptop (local and internet) but my connection times out often. I suspect it has to do with the internet traffic of my neighbors, but I hope to find a way around this.

I have considered buying a better modem, the Motorola Surfboard SB6120 because it is backwards compatible and I have heard many good things, some seem hard to believe. Problem is, it's at least $80 and I don't know if it's going to make my situation any better.

My final question: Given my current set up, Motorola SB5101 and Airport Express, are there specific settings that I need to configure that will help the reliability of my connection. Again I do not think it is the router, my guess is the modem or the traffic in my complex. I live in a townhouse, with at least 50 other units with mostly young people between 25 and 35. I would really appreciate some help, any people who love their Airport Express or Motorola Surfboards are welcome to comment!