Range Extenders, Pre-N, MIMO and more

There are already a few great guides here relating to the types of wireless signal (802.11a/b/g), basic info on modems, routers and PC cards, and setup advice for wireless connections/firewalls/WPAs... So you're ready to run out and purchase your gear right? Yeah, I thought so too. Right up until I walked into the wireless isle at Fry's and saw the multitude of options offered for wireless connections...
So this is a work-in-progress guide to the different types of routers, range extenders, and a few peripherals that you'll probably want to know about before you decide on what type of setup to use.

I have a pretty basic understanding of the available components, but I'm still working on which of the many options are worth the extra cash, and which are just hype. In fact, nothing I saw really gives me a way to compare one feature to another, they invariably just show that they are more effective that "a typical b/g connection" by some random graph or illustration that uses no measurement of it's ability. So I'm mainly going to be compiling information from different reviews and tests I find scattered across the 'net.

Wireless Router with "Speed Boost":
These say they offer increased range and speed beyond the base model, but for nearly the price of some models that actually boast new technology (IE mimo). Unless your integrated wireless card came with this feature, you will need a matching PC card to make use of the feature.

MIMO Router
MIMO (Multi In-Multi Out) units claim to boost signal ~x3 and speed even more, these have 7 internal antennas which will actually fine tune your signal to take the path of least resistance
and best performance. Sounds cool, but these are also 3x the price of a typical router. Again, unless your integrated card is MIMO, you will need to add the matching PC card to use the router.

Pre-n Router (True MIMO)
I can't tell if 802.11n is going to be primarily for personal use, or is meant to replace 802.11a as a high volume connection for universities and such, but either way, it is definitely high volume! These products, which will cost you only a bit more than MIMO's first wireless incarnation (figure the router PLUS the PC card now), are supposed to go faster, farther, and to handle multiple users pulling large amounts of streaming data seamlessly through one broadband connection. Thus far, Pre-N units make no promises of connectivity with true 802.11n in the future.

Wireless Range Extender
I found three flavors that used this name:

1 One is connected to your standard wireless router in lieu of the antenna, blasting a larger range from the same source.
2 One is truly wireless, and gets placed at the edge of the router's range, spreading it's own signal from there.
3 The last I only saw from Netgear, and it has two "walkie talkies" that get plugged into standard wall outlets, one near the Wireless router, and the other wherever. They use the copper wiring of your house to talk to each other. A cool idea, but I have a strong feeling there will be a lot of signal loss, especially if the outlets are on different circuits.

Wireless Ethernet Bridge
This one looks as though it is only a reciever, which must then be hardwired to your computer.

High gain antennas:
Looks pretty simple, slap a bigger antenna on, and boost your wireless range. But do they work? At $30-50... one would hope.

Travel, Pocket, and Mobile Wireless Router
These follow the general electronics policy of "if ya want it smaller, it's gonna cost you". Even though the lack of an antenna would suggest less of a range than a typical Router, they are 1.5 to 2x the price of the best deal you can find. They're made to give you short range wireless in a hotel room or such, but if you're bringing an overnight bag ayway, why not just throw your router in there?


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Answers I'm still looking for...
1) Can a (type 2) range extender actually pick up a weak signal and boost it, or is it's output limited to the stregnth of signal it recieves?

2)Do MIMO antennas actually improve on a normal router's obstacle penetration ability, or just give the signal more options and "bounce-beam" properties?

3) How does "Speed Boost" technology actually stack up against MIMO and Pre-N tech?


NOTE: A great majority of this information is based on impressions/understandings I have gathered by reading the labels of various products, searching the internet, and speaking with clerks at a stores. Some of it may be in error, so don't quite use any of this in place of your own research...yet. I will continue to modify this until I feel like it will actually be a helpful guide.