Not ranting, need help instead

Question

I love the iPad! I am using an old Linksys Wireless-B router 10/100 ethernet hub. Ethernet's great. To say that the wireless feature doesn't connect well or often would be an understatement. It's done great service otherwise for some years and I have no complaints. Wireless-B and iPad is iffy here, and I've updated the firmware, reset the router and re-entered the data. No go (or barely).
I am looking at upgrading to a Cisco/Linksys E3000, which has b/g/n 10/100/1000 capabilities. Is anyone using that model, and will it work well with a MacPro and iPad? I also have Dell and HP on this network, and I assume that will make no difference to the router, as before.
Any direction or help would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Rube

Answer 1

Let me add a postscript:
As another poster mentioned in a different thread, hardware is a serious investment. I agree with that assessment and would not, under any circumstances, suggest that my remedy for my particular iPad is or would be the proper course of action for anyone else. It simply worked for me; but then again my wireless-b device was 6 or 7 years old and the wireless-b protocol had always been problematic, here in my house, in my area. My iPod Touch had to be within 18 inches to get any kind of decent connection. So the days were already numbered for my router device.
Once I determined, per Tamara's suggestion, that my iPad worked in a different wireless environment (my neighbor's setup, all-PC, wireless-G), it was simply a matter of upgrading my particular mixed network (PC/Apple) setup with the Linksys E3000. I probably would have upgraded anyway, at some point.
For me, that avenue worked perfectly. But it was expensive, and I already knew that the iPad would work in a foreign environment (my neighbor's setup) to which he allowed me guest access. The iPad had no problem at all, no dropped wifi, no problem walking around from room to room and maintaining a signal. My particular iPad seemed to be okay.
But that sure doesn't mean that others are not having software issues with their particular iPads. Or hardware issues. As etresoft pointed out, 99% of the devices seem to be working, or a number thereabouts. Still, I certainly understand anyone being frustrated by an Apple device that doesn't work out of the box, or an iPad operating system glitch that may or may not be be preventing them from enjoying this thing. It certainly frustrated me for a day or two.
No, indeed, I would agree that upgrading your router should have to be the last thing you do. If Apple sees an opportunity to strengthen wifi capabilities on its newest device, I for one feel certain that they will do so. I work with PC computers and Apple computers, the Microsoft OS and the Apple OS, and I have no axes to grind against any of them. I like computing. All computing. These are just new machines, that's all. What's important is what you do with them. And that is why people are frustrated. They can't get done what they need to get done or want to get done. They shouldn't have to worry about the machine, early adopters or not.
If the wifi capabilities need correcting on the iPad, I hope that Apple doesn't wait too long to find a solution, because a one to two percent failure rate IS much too high, especially if you are on the wrong end of that number.
The Linksys E3000 had Cisco software that self-configured the network that my setup needed based entirely on the settings already on my Mac Pro computer. I did not have to intervene at all. When I turned on the iPad, the wireless network was visible, I joined it, and am still connected.
Wouldn't it have been great if the iPad OS could have done the same, self-configure it's own settings based upon what setup the user already has? And if it is not a compatible system, then let the user know that? Well, apparently it did just that for 98-99% of the early adopters. That doesn't mean the other 1-2% should be castigated for having problems. For me, the problem was old hardware. But I'm sure there are folks with wireless-b that actually works well for them. My device was problematic, and needed replacing. That may not be case with other users.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that if the machines are broken, I'm sure Apple will be willing to replace them. If the problem is software compatibility, I'm sure Apple will get on that as well and come up with a solution. I just hope they don't wait too long. A week would be too long.
But I know do this - to those still having problems with their iPads, if you are able to get them fixed or replaced, this thing is an absolute joy. I have already loaded dozens of ePub books and am loading more. I love books, I love reading books, and I love reading books on this iPad. It is a grandly realized product, and I hope all of you get to enjoy it soon.
People have a right to complain. That's called feedback, and feedback will make the machines better for all of us, whatever those machines happen to be, made by whoever happens to make them. Right now, it's Apple's turn to get the feedback. But what a heck of a machine it's going to be.
Just my two pennies.