I need a cheap AP for simple internet browsing and TV streaming, nothing fancy, thinking of:
Routerboard RB911G-5HPnD (2 external 5Ghz antennas, WIFI4, only 802.11n)
I’ll install 2 x pigtails with standard 10cm antennas
hAP ac lite (1 small internal 5Ghz antenna, WIFI5, 802.11ac)
I prioritize stability over speed…I think Netflix need 2-4Mbits, right?, so doesn’t need much speed.
They cost roughly the same…which would be the best solution?
What about hAP ax lite?
Apart from suggestions for some more modern device … base RB911 is only a board. You need a case (list price $15), power adapter (price around $10), antenna pigtails and antennae them selves (price for all together probably around $20-$50). Which makes a notable price difference (and makes a “full” hAP ac a competitive option).
hAP AX2
The hap AC lite is $59 (official list price).
The Ax lite at the same price is a steal, but it has only 2.4 GHz radio, if only 2.4 GHz is ok, no doubt, go for it.
The hap AC costs more than the Ax2, $129.
The issues with the hap AC (lite or not) are the architecture (MIPSBE) and the (too) little amount of memory (16MB).
The Ax2 is relatively expensive (at $99 it is cheap for what it offers, but it offers way too much when compared to the OP needs), but as I see it right now is the only suitable device (5 GHz) with some “future”, both in terms of capability for newer versions of RoS and of possible re-uses in other roles.
Need 5Ghz
See also https://mikrotik.com/product/l11ug_5haxd, however personally I’d buy a ready to deploy device for a little extra
I’m aware it’s just a board, but I have PSU, pigtails, antennas and box - so no extra cost there.
(by the way, get your pigtails and antennas from AliExpress at the 1/4 price)
I guess I should have asked:
What is best:
5Ghz, 1 chain 2dBi, 802.11ac, 433Mbit/s
vs.
5Ghz, 2 chain 6dBi, 802.11n, 300Mbit/s
I would guess the last, but maybe the ac standard is so much better, that is compensate for the much worse antenna-configuration.