Time to upgrade to Airport Extreme

Question

For many years now I've relied on a D-link wireless ADSL router now well past its sell-by-date. I am seriously considering Airport Extreme but, being technically-illiterate, have a few questions I hope someone might be kind enough to answer for me.
+An RJ45 jack (I think that's what it's called) runs from the wall telephone socket into the D-link and an ethernet cable runs from the router to the ethernet connector on my G5:+ can the AE be set up in the same way? I read somewhere I might need an Airport base station as well?
+I work in a wooden studio about 40–50' away from our brick-built house where we have two Window PC laptops and reception has always been a real pain+: can the AE signal be boosted in some way – if recommended, I would definitely purchase a third-party high-gain antenna.
+It looks like I can plug existing ethernet enabled peripherals, such as a laser printer, into it+: would that be the case?
I would really appreciate some guidance to help make an informed decision.
In anticipation, Michael

Answer 1

Yes to all your questions. You'll still need a modem. In other words, buying just an Extreme is not going to convey any more benefit than what you already have with your combined ASDL modem/wireless router.
The Extreme has additional features like 802.11n, simultaneous dual band creation, guest network, USB port and many other nice things - including the ability to wirelessly extend your network to your studio. This will eliminate the weak reception you are experiencing there, but if you can't run an Ethernet cable over to the studio, you would have to purchase another Airport Base Station (likely an Express) for installation there.
To fully realize the benefit of this solution, your wireless equipment must be 802.11n (also known as "wireless-n") capable. Your MacBook Pro is, but I don't know about your Windows laptops. If they aren't 802.11n, one possible solution would be to install another Airport Extreme in the studio, which can simultaneously create and bridge a separate 802.11b/g compliant network for their use.
A lower cost solution might be to find a "wireless extender" from D-Link that's compatible with your exiting DSL-G604T. I did a search for some and came up with this:
http://www.dlink.com/search/?qry=wirelessrangeextender
Unfortunately they're all discontinued, not surprising since extending an 802.11b/g network like yours involves a degree of compromise many people are not willing to accept.
I realize this gets complicated, but solving the weak wireless reception in your studio will require more than buying just one Extreme. If your budget can stand it though, it can be fixed. I advocate an all-Apple solution since I know it will work, and configuring Airport networks is easy compared to other manufacturers.
Apple isn't the cheapest solution, but I tried the cheap route once and won't do it again. Better to spend $200 for something that works than $100 for something that drives you up a wall, and wind up throwing away in frustration anyway.