Got some family friends that recently sold their house and moved into a condo. The Comcast cablemodem is in the living room, which is suboptimal for the computer location. They want to move it into a bedroom.

I was going to suggest she take it to whomever she has service her computer and install a WiFi card, but then I thought "Hmmm... Powerline adaptor?"

So what says the SF Oracle: WiFi or Powerline? I would think Powerline would be easier, because she'd just move the computer, plug it in, and it'd be up--with no configuration?

But I don't know diddly about Powerline network adaptors.

I've ordered the Netgear Powerline AV Ethernet Adapters on Monday.

There are several good ones, but I think it boils down to how compatible the wiring in your home is as far as how well they'll work.

If that Comcast cablemodem includes wifi, I'd just plug a Netgear USB dongle in to the PC and go.

We've been using a Netgear A6100 Genie and it isn't much more difficult than plugging a cable in (and works great across the length of our house).

I chose the TP link brand adapters and they have been fantastic. The adapters have 3 Ethernet ports so you have the ability to connect more than one device to them. You can also buy more adapters separately and add them any any future devices, if you so choose. I have one in the living room as the source which feeds the two devices upstairs. I plan on buying another one soon to connect the family pc.

Their speeds are higher than the 802.11AC at the same distance, so that's all that matters.

Super easy to setup (press the pairing button on each) and they are on separate circuits, but I haven't noticed any issues.

A nice compromise if you don't know how to properly configure conventional networking methods.
Not something I'd use but has a place for convenience.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
A nice compromise if you don't know how to properly configure conventional networking methods.
Not something I'd use but has a place for convenience.

No, it's not something I'd normally use, either. But these aren't power users. There's no way they're running UTP cable. They're running MS-Win10, which I've never touched, and for which I don't care to become tech support. So, if powerline network adapters will work for them... I think it'd be easier than WiFi. Probably cheaper, too, since they'd have to pay somebody to install a WiFi adapter.

quote:

Probably cheaper, too, since they'd have to pay somebody to install a WiFi adapter.

Not really. USB wireless adapters start under fifteen bucks, and just need to be stuck into the port.

my first and only thought on powerline is, "no thanks."

Unless they're set on watching cable, set up a Wi-Fi and buy a Roku (unless the tv can already get Netflix, HBO Streaming, and allow additional channels to be loaded like fox news, Hulu, sky news, etc.)

I have used them for years. AT&T installed them when they installed my DSL. AT&T upgraded them when fiber was installed last year. Faster than wireless & necessary for my 3 story townhome with steel beams. It is about a 100ft run from the modem in my office to my wife's computer on the 3rd floor. Speed only drops to 500mb from 1 gig at my computer, 3ft from the modem (AT&T's test).
This is what they installed:
https://www.tp-link.com/us/pro..._TL-PA9020P-KIT.html

There may be some security issues with those etc. I've used them before, but I'm not up on any security they may or may not have. The ones I used had some type of security feature, but I remember not being very impressed. I would look into the security aspect of it if I were going to use them again.

OK my bodged together Netgear AV Ethernet adapters came in.
They work perfectly for what I need.
I have a computer and camera too far away got a WIFI router and these things just work.