Advantages: Highly configurable Disadvantages: That bloody light
The Netgear Rangemax Dual-bandWireless-NRouter WNDR3300 ? phew, there, I?ve said it.
In reality, it?s a smart gloss black and silver slab about the size of a paperback with lots of pretty lights, the more of these that flash the cleverer you are ? a maxim I?ve stuck by ever since dial-up modems!.
What, you mean you want more? Give me strength ? it?s only a bit of computer kit, get a grip.
OK, OK, here goes.
My existing Linksys wireless-g router has given sterling service for several years, although just lately the mains unit has started smelling funny (or is it ?cos I use it to warm my bare feet?).
A friend mentioned that she?d bought this ?Netgear thingy? by mistake, and being a perfick gennelmun, I offered to buy it off her, and before you ask, no, not for a knock-down fee. So why was it the wrong bit of kit for her broadband ...
Advantages: Fast speeds, Reliable, Stylish Disadvantages: I had wireless problems, Gets a bit warm, no restart router option in config
the wireless connection despite the signal strength being excellent. This resulted in a lot of whinging from my parents and a lot of head scratching by myself. I've tried several USB dongles to try to resolve this problem to no avail. These include a NetgearWirelessNRangeMax USB dongle, a Linksys WirelessN USB dongle and even a Negear PCI 54G wireless card.
The machines are only about 7 metres from the router with just one wall with a window so not sure why. Interference en-route? Switching to a Belkin wirelessrouter resolved the problem so I?m suspecting the Belkin performs better than the Linksys, which is a shame for the Linksys.
On a brighter note, the wireless connection on my PC when I was using the Linksys, using a Linksys WirelessN USB dongle, is solid. Reliability is excellent and only times I've lost the connection was ...
Advantages: Great stable router with great range and speed Disadvantages: None found yet
the maximum speeds and ranges will not be attainable by them. As it happens none of my devices have the Netgear USB adaptor so my speeds are restricted to the 54Mbs which is sufficient for my needs.
My experience of routers has been limited. This is my 4th router and only the second one that I?ve ever purchased. The other 2 came free with my broadband supplier. I replaced my old router (supplied free by BE Unlimited) because it simply couldn?t handle the number of devices I had and would reset about once every day. In contrast, the DG834N has never reset once in the 3 months that I?ve had it. It is very stable even when I have many devices connected to it. As a test I connected the following all at the same time: Xbox, PSP, Wireless Printer, WAC Music Server, 2x WACS Music Clients, laptop, desktop and all of them connected for days in some cases ...
ITU G.992.2 (G.Lite), ITU G.992.3 (G.DMT.bis), ITU G.992.5, ITU G.992.1 (G.DMT) Annex A
Expansion / connectivity
Interfaces
1 x modem - ADSL2+ - RJ-11 ( WAN )
4 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45
Miscellaneous
Included Accessories
Vertical stand
Cables (Details)
1 x network cable
Encryption Algorithm
128-bit WEP, 64-bit WEP, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK
Power
Power Device
Power adapter - external
Environmental standards
EPA Energy Star Compliant
Yes
Software / system requirements
Software Included
Drivers & Utilities
Manufacturer's product description
Dual band wireless networks deliver better connections with less interference Greater bandwidth for high-quality media streaming and better online gaming Push 'N' connect securely connects devices at the touch of a button Automatic Quality of Service (QoS) for reliable Internet, voice and gaming applications For use with ADSL broadband (through the telephone line) Eight (8) internal smart antennas optimize signal strength and range Push 'N' Connect using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) allows you to add computers to the network quickly and securely Automatically upgrades to the latest router firmware Convenient on/off switch helps save energy when not in use Efficient Energy Star compliant power supply Packaging manufactured with at least 80% recycled materials
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