Review on 📶 NETGEAR Orbi Compact Wall-Plug Whole Home Mesh WiFi System - Router and Satellite Extender with Speeds up to 2.2 Gbps, Covering 3,500 sq. ft., AC2200 (RBK20W) by Kenny Kowalewski

I just purchased this item so this review is about updating my Apple Time Capsule router and network based on Apple Express router, Orbi network setup and initial network performance. First, I bought the mesh network because there are two bedrooms that are furthest away from my Apple Time Capsule router where the 5GHz signal was 20-30% max. Thus, the router's theoretical bandwidth (TBW) of 1300 Mbit/s (ac) could not be used. However, the router provides a second signal (2.5 GHz), but the max TBW is only 219 Mbit/s and the download speed test unfortunately only came up to a maximum of 15 Mbit/s (big problem since the online school started and I have three kids connected to the internet at the same time). with an increase in meetings, etc.). When connected to my network via Ethernet I can get download speeds in excess of 500Mbps and when the signal is close to 80% at 5GHz I can get around 200-250Mbps wirelessly. My Apple network also connected my Pioneer TV/AV system (has broadcast), Apple TV, printer, speakers, etc. along with Apple Express to stream broadcast music to my bedroom speakers. My biggest concern with upgrading would be keeping the work intact and still using broadcast. My house is about 2300 square feet so the coverage area is not large. I chose this orbi net because of the price and really needed to solve my two bedroom problem. So first the setup: I would give this 3 stars based on the lack/quality of the supporting content (docs, website) if you have any issues. For customization, you can download the app or run it from a web browser. (Unfortunately they don't have an app for Mac OS x). I didn't want to add the app to my iPhone, so I chose a web browser to install it. At first I just wanted to get a network with less internet access. So I connected the router and the satellite to a power source (first I put the satellite next to the router, but then after setting it up I moved the satellite closer to the two problematic bedrooms. The distance from the router to the der Final satellite location is about 25 feet in a straight line with 2 walls in the way I then connected all the connected devices to the Orbi network like printer, audio/video system, TV, my iMac, WiFi speakers all good, the problems I was having with the setup were resolved when I moved access to the internet from my Apply network to Orbi (via ethernet cable from my cable modem) and couldn't get internet access even though everything was properly connected and the devices got IP addresses from the router and the admin settings for the orbi showed the internet was good I don't know exactly how I fixed the issue actually solved it, because at some point I'll have access! So if there is an area, you may not need to have much networking knowledge and/or get help setting up Internet access, especially since there are as many different setups between cable modems as served by an ISP, whatever. If this one thing hadn't taken me 2 hours to play I would give it 4-5 stars. Apple Network to Orbi I reconfigured both my Time Capsule router and Apple Express to easily connect to the new Orbi network. The router has a 2TB drive and is used for laptop backups (time machine) so it had to show up on the network. I have an Apple Express hooked up in my bedroom where I use multiple Bose speakers, so I wanted to use Airplay anyway. Also, my Pioneer audio/video system supports broadcasting. I was very happy after reconfiguring two Apple routers and everything worked as before! No hiccups. Music streamed to my audio/video system, bedroom, and Wi-Fi speakers simultaneously. My 2TB drive also showed up and has backed up my laptop multiple times with no issues. Everything seems to work as before. Performance Of course you don't have to say anything about the grid. Right now I'm seeing 60-80% signal strength in two problematic bedrooms for Orbi's 5GHz network due to satellites. Download speed tests now showed 300+ Mbps. To solve my immediate problem, this was done at a good price. Also the overall BW, even for good areas where I got over 200Mbps with my Apple network, I'm getting over 300 now too. update. Very happy with the purchase ******** Update ******** November 2020 I am deducting one star from this review. Unfortunately, while the Orbi solved my rear bedroom coverage issue, this router sometimes freezes (meaning I can't even get to the admin page to check what's going on, even with a wired connection). I have to power cycle the modem to restore the network. I am spoiled by the Apple Airport network as I have never had this experience. Having to turn the router off and on every once in a while is not my definition of a quality router. When this router is up and running it works great, the coverage is excellent and it stays on most of the time. But it's a major inconvenience when he starts behaving, especially when the kids are in Zoom classes and we're working online.