Any Advantages to Upgrading to WiFi 6\WPA3

The AirPort Extreme will easily handle Internet connection speeds of up to 300-325 Mbps, so no advantage for a new router unless you plan to update your connection plan to 400+ Mbps.

WPA3 is more secure than WPA2, so there is that to consider. Users who want the highest security levels are buying WPA3 routers.

One question to consider might be how many WPA3 capable WiFi devices you already have that can use the new service. If half of your WiFi devices cannot handle WPA3, then there is probably no need to rush for a new router.

If you decide to go for a new router......AND......you need wider WiFi coverage range at your house, take a look at newer "mesh" systems.

Your AirPort is still a "good" router as long as it is working for you. Wi-Fi 6 and WPA3 are just starting to be introduced, and in order to fully take advantage of it, your wireless clients must also support these new standards. Just having a new wireless router alone will not be sufficient.

With that said, you will come across having to make a decision of going with non-Apple networking hardware at some point in the not too far distant future ... so now is a good time to start your research on what is currently available out there. For that, I suggest starting with reviewing router reviews at the SmallNetBuilder site.

FYI, the "Apple" warning is actually referring to the cryptology level of the wireless security being used. WPA can only use TKIP. WPA2 can use both TKIP or AES, with the latter being more secure. When you switched to WPA2 Personal on your AirPort, it then uses AES.

WiFi 6 (AX) is the next standard.. from now most of the new client devices you buy are equipped with AX cards. And over the next few years more and more devices will come out with AX. So yes, I think the point has been reached where buying AX makes sense.

Airports ceased production nearly 3 years now. So you cannot purchase them other than second hand anyway.

An AX router should give you better wifi signal and range.

Everything seems to work with the exception of the kids occassionally losing the connection to school on their Chromebook.

The alternative for a big house with poor signal in some places is mesh. The model you have proposed is a mesh version although the spell checker has converted Orbi to Orbing for some reason. Netgear Orbi is a good series of mesh products.. but do read how they perform vs others on the market. You can buy mesh in AC (WiFi 5) or AX (WiFi 6) versions. Many mainline routers do now also have mesh add ons.. but it is seldom as good as the genuine built from ground up Mesh.

Read reviews yourself for what brand and model to buy.

Here is one I use regularly from a hands on guy.

https://dongknows.com/best-wi-fi-6-mesh-systems/

The issue with dropped connections on the Chromebook is confusing because most of the time the connection drops, the WiFi signal is strong. So I don't know how to tell if it's the WiFi or on the schools end.

WiFi signal "strength" is important, but it only tells half of the story. You also need to know about the "noise" present in the signal, and the simple things like the WiFi "bars" or something that says "Excellent Connection" cannot be relied upon.....because they tell you nothing about the noise that might be present in the signal.

If you have a Mac laptop, and want a few tips on how to find out what the Signal-to-Noise (SNR) on the connection might be, post back for more details.

The whole idea is to move the iMac as close as possible to the location of each of the Chromebooks so that we can get a reading on the signal to noise quality that the Chromebook is receiving at its current location.

So, if you have 3 Chromebooks for example, in 3 different locations, the iMac will need to be moved to each of those locations so readings can be taken at each of the 3 locations. If there are other locations where the Chromebooks are normally used....like the kitchen table for example, then readings will need to be taken there as well.

The bottom line is that we will be taking a survey of the signal quality at each of the locations where a Chromebook will be used. That will mean moving the iMac to various locations around the house.

There are no guarantees we will be able to improve things things after we have the results of the survey, but you will know a lot more about your WiFi network.

It's your call if you want to try this.

Joe Gramm wrote:

The issue with dropped connections on the Chromebook is confusing because most of the time the connection drops, the WiFi signal is strong. So I don't know how to tell if it's the WiFi or on the schools end.

Remember Wi-Fi is a two-way communication. The AirPort may be able to provide a "strong" signal to the Chromebook, but the latter may not be able to "shout" back depending on where it is located relative to the base station, and the quality of the wireless "card" built-in that Chromebook ... I would suspect it not to be too great. As such, you may find better overall wireless performance between these two devices with the Chromebook in the same room as the base station.

A bit overkill with a total of around 5000 sq.ft. coverage.

I have yet to meet the first person who ever regretted having "too much" WiFi coverage at their house.

Would probably be cumbersome to be moving the iMac to various points around the house, but it would work. Unfortunately, the iPhone and iPad won't work for this.