AC router, N receiving device

[shmu26]

If I get an AC-capable router, will it improve connectivity for my laptop which has only N capability? I am interested in increased range, that is the big issue for me.

What else should I consider when buying an inexpensive router, or router-modem, for basic home use? No big movie streaming or anything over here, just need a decent internet connection for my laptop, without need for an access point or range extender.

 

[asoroka]

Your transfer speed will be determined by the older standard N.

What router do you currently have?

If you have range issues, then a new router is unlikely to improve things.

Look at the position of your router, what frequency are you using 2.4GHz vs 5GHz. What channel parameters have you set.

So your N device will work with your new AC router, but just getting a new router will not solve your range problem.

 

[shmu26]

Thanks.
I currently have a router-modem from my ISP, it is D-Link VDSL 6850U. Dual band.
https://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/d-link/dsl-6850u
I read that the AC protocol sends a direct beam to the receiving device, rather than the spreading out circles like N does. This way, the receiving device gets a stronger connection. So they say.
Will an N device receive a direct beam from an AC router?

 

[BFG-9000]

Beamforming cannot work with N devices. But surprisingly, an AC router actually can improve N performance even at 2.4GHz, which is of course N-only. This looks simply because the radios and drivers are newer so have incorporated any fixes and optimizations since the N routers were developed.

For range though, it is best to peruse the router charts on that site where they tested for that.