i just finished installing an AirPort card in a Dual USB iBook and repositioning my Netgear wireless router.

the router was on the garage floor and about 50 feet/6 walls away from the bedroom and i couldn't get a signal.

i checked the router and the antenna wasn't up. when i pulled it up, i could get a signal, though very weak.

so, i was inspired by the big radio towers around here to put the router high up on a shelf. now i get full strength signal.

i have no means of comparison to other airport routers to tell you what the best range is, but my advice is that you put it high up somewhere.