AP vs router
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Why does an access point with the same spec cost much higher than a router? For example WA901N is more pricey than WR940N, AP has only 1 port LAN and clients have to be connected wirelessly, a router has 4 ports and clients can get connected wirelessly and via LAN
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In answer to your question, the simple answer is capacity and performance.
Routers are "jack of all trades, masters of none"... namely they offer WiFi.. Internet.. Switches all built into one device
Access Points are specifically designed for WiFi.. The master of doing one thing!
Say each device costs $50, a router is a $10 switch, $10 wifi, $10 modem etc.. cheap at a lot of things... the AP is a $50 WiFi...
If you have 6-10 devices you likely wont see a difference, but when you add more devices and download a lot more the Router WiFi will slow WAY before the access point will.
Sky TV routers are a good example of this, they struggle with anything over 20 devices on the WiFi. Connect an AP and you can easily do 50+ devices!
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Q: " AP can't be changed into a router ?"
A: Dedicated APs are purposed to work as AP only. (" I see so AP is a specialist and better for wireless connections ")
Q: " what's the use of changing a router into an AP? "
A: The main purpose is to avoid the double NAT in your network if you already have another main router and you have a fewer wi-fi clients.
See the difference between a device in wireless router and AP mode.
Q: " in AP mode will a router deliver a better signal? "
A: No. It would be the same as in wireless router mode.
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If you connect to WAN port (Case 2) you won't be able to set its LAN IP address in the same subnet as the main router - hence it will work as a router.
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