Good MIMO wireless router deal, but does the receiver need to be MIMO also?

[reezekeys]

Just saw this deal on a MIMO 802.11 b/g compatible wireless router for $18 AR:

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=202592933&adid=17654&dcaid=17653

My question: does MIMO technology require it to be implemented at the receiving end? I need more range to reach a room at the far end of my house. I understand that MIMO uses multiple antennas, which I'm pretty sure my PB G4 w/Airport Extreme doesn't have :-)

TIA for answers -- and more TIA for QUICK answers because I see this deal getting sold out soon!

(One other niggle is that the "Tech Specs" lists the router management as "Windows UtilityWeb Based Management." Not sure what that means, every router I've seen uses a simple web-based interface and it shouldn't matter what platform you have).

[Chupa Chupa]

No. MIMO just allows for more effective radiowave distribution. The computers recieve the signals as 802.11x. My parents have a Belkin 801.11 pre-n that works great with all of their Macs (b,g, and n).

[reezekeys]

Sounds good, I think I'll pull the trigger on this one then. Thanks!

[Panopticon]

I'd avoid it. NO dd-wrt support http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices
The OEM website shows NO firmware downloads either.
just my two-cents

[reezekeys]

Thanks for the heads up.. I'm not sure what dd-wrt is but I really just need the basics - hooking up 2 laptop macs (wireless) and a sip router (wired), with WEP and mac address filtering and port forwarding. It's the extended range that's most important. For $18 I'm not gonna sweat it. If need be, I'll get a different router at a later date.

[deckeda]

A router doesn't benefit from being able to use dd-wrt firmware, or list updates for its own if what it comes with is OK. right??

[Panopticon]

A router doesn't benefit from being able to use dd-wrt firmware...
Yes it does benefit. If you don't understand why, read the FAQs @ dd-wrt.com for more info.

...or list updates for its own if what it comes with is OK
In this case, the mfr. lists NO support documents or software for ANY wi-fi products http://www.cptechusa.com/support.html . According to their own website, they've been sellinging same since 2005.
Apple, Buffalo, & Cisco, all provide firmware improvements for their wi-fi/router products. Leads me to believe 'CPTech' is simpling marketing 're-badged' routers.

[reezekeys]

Don't mean to derail the derail, and who knows if anyone is even reading this thread anymore, but...

Last night I hooked up the router and so far I am happy. Performance is good and the range is extended. I have a usable signal in my studio on the other side of my house. Since I was going to string CAT5 cable under my house (through a dirt crawlspace), this has saved me a LOT of grief! Too bad it's up to $28 AR now.