Wireless or Wired(PoE): Which is better for you?
Power over Ethernet
Definition: Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology enables ordinary Ethernet network cables to function as power cords. In a PoE enabled network, direct electrical current (DC) flows over the network cable together with normal Ethernet data traffic.

Power over Ethernet was designed for use with portable and wireless electronic equipment like Wi-Fi access points (APs). PoE allows network devices to be installed in ceilings or wall spaces where electric outlets are not within easy reach. The amount of power in watts that can be supplied over Ethernet is limited; PoE can support smaller devices but not most PCs.


A technology unrelated to PoE, Ethernet over power lines enables ordinary electric power lines to act as long-distance Ethernet network links.

Also Known As: Power over Ethernet, Power over LAN (PoL), IEEE 802.3af, IEEE 802.3at, inline power

Why do you need a Wi-Fi Extender?
Wireless technology has made connecting to the internet more convenient than ever. If you’re like most people, your home network includes desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones – all connected wirelessly through one router. Even high-quality routers have a limited range, though, and there are often dead spots in certain parts of the home.

So what should you do if your wireless signal doesn’t reach every corner of your home? The answer is to implement the power of a Wi-Fi extender, also referred to as a Wi-Fi repeater, in your home network. The technology of the Wi-Fi extenders connects to your current wireless network and then repeats that signal, increasing your wireless range significantly.

Simply by housing the wireless repeater at the edge of your internet’s dead zone, the booster will bounce the signal to the rest of your home. Not all Wi-Fi extenders are created equal, so we have taken the liberty to narrow down the selection to the best Wi-Fi repeaters on the market. We have also written a few articles on Wi-Fi boosters to help you make an informed decision.

Functionality
The range to which the Wi-Fi extender can increase your wireless internet signal is the main feature you want to look for. Most extenders don’t specify the extended range’s measurements, but the best can at least double your current router’s range. They increase your current wireless network’s range by harnessing the signal and rebroadcasting it. By bouncing and repeating the signal, you should be able to access the internet in all of your current dead spots. Signal status lights are a must, as these lights let you know if the repeater is even working. On the back of most Wi-Fi boosters you will find at least one Ethernet port, but the best have up to five ports.

Compatibility is an important feature to remember when purchasing a Wi-Fi extender. If the Wi-Fi extender isn’t compatible with your current router then it won’t work. You shouldn’t have a problem if your router is fairly new and is considered a b/g/n device.

Features
Making the choice to purchase a Wi-Fi extender is easy, but what you want to look for is an extender that makes it easy to connect to your router. Our favorites are those with a setup button. One push and the Wi-Fi extender automatically sets up a relationship with your wireless router. You may have to go through further steps to customize your connection, but the Wi-Fi repeater will begin to broadcast your router’s signal. Many are equipped with optimal coverage indicators which allow you to place the wireless repeater in a position that maximizes the coverage. To save energy and increase efficiency, we also like those units with a power on and off button and the ability to remotely manage the connection.

Help & Support
Not all of the Wi-Fi extender on the market have an automatic setup button, and those that do may not always work. The best wireless extenders have excellent help and support options to back up their product. Live chat, an included warranty and a direct phone number are some of the main features we would recommend.

If you’ve been battling with internet dead zones around your house, now is the time to invest in a Wi-Fi extender. Not only will your wireless range double, but you will have the freedom to roam to all corners of your home, wireless device in hand, completely connected.

**NEW** 2013 MAC PRO – coming November 2013
Apple also revealed a sneak peak of its upcoming high-end Mac Pro redesign. The radical redesign features a tubular tower shape with a unique “unified thermal core that allows the desktop to efficiently share its entire thermal capacity across all the processors.” It will be armed with a next generation Intel Xeon E5 processor, dual workstation AMD FirePro GPUs with support for up to three 4K displays, PCIe-based flash storage with up to 10 times faster performance than conventional desktop HDDs, and four-channel DDR3 1866MHz ECC RAM. External expansion will be available via six Thunderbolt 2 ports!

Despite its impressive specs, it is also surprisingly small, being several inches shorter and thinner than the previous Mac Pro tower. As a nice touch, it will also be assembled in America. The Mac Pro should be available late in 2013; expect it to be very, very expensive.

Little is known about the new Mac Pro, we’ll keep you upto date with future delevopments.