TRENDnet's Wireless-N Router Provides 300 Mbps
Finally, a chunky news nugget not related to CES 2010: the release of TRENDnet's TEW-673GRU Wireless-N router. For $149.99, consumers receive generous wireless speeds of up to 300 Mbps, and Gigabit Ethernet ports for blazing fast wired network connections. The drawback is that the router will be available online only, and won't hit e-tailers until sometime next month.
In addition to the speed, TRENDnet's Wireless-N router uses Concurrent Dual Band Technology, transmitting two distinct wireless networks simultaneously using the 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio frequencies. This means that the user can place "clients" on either network, ideally throwing low-bandwidth clients onto the 2.4 GHz frequency (which also hosts microwaves, Bluetooth, cellular phones, etc) and the high-bandwidth data hogs downloading HD media onto the less congested 5 GHz frequency.
TRENTnet said that the Wireless-N router also utilizes a Multiple Input Multiple OutputĀ (MIMO) antenna technology that supposedly reduces those annoying wireless "dead spots" that plagues many routers. There's also the WMM Quality of Service (QoS) technology that can prioritize gaming, Internet calls, and video streams... a handy feature for those who need every inch of the bandwidth pipeline.
Additionally, the TEW-673GRU provides two local USB 2.0 ports, allowing users to connect flash drives, printers, and external HDDs directly to the router for network sharing. The router's embedded power saving GREENnet technology also reduces port-based power consumption by up to 70-percent.
Though my white with a black stripe D-Link is sexier.
Let us know when other devices that require wifi start using Wireless N, so that the 4 laptops, about 5 phones and 2 consoles in my house can take advantage of it. I connect with wired ethernet, so wireless tech doesnt disturb my connection/net usage.
I don't like being negative, but I care about standards. I'm sure it's a fine router.
What I really want is a 4 or 8 port (gigabit) wireless N router that can accept two WAN connections because I have had reliability problems with each of the ISPs I can use. Fortunately I have never seen them both down at the same time, but right now I don't have a router that dynamically switches between ISPs. Switching will break my connections, but at least I would be able to reestablish them without waiting.
802.11N(obody)
Come to the EU: 120 Mbps for only 80 euros a month
Why would you need QoS if you have plenty of bandwidth?
QoS is for dealing with temporary data congestion.
Only reason I can think of is for VoIP packets: making sure that they get VIP (priority bandwidth) treatment.
The 300Mbps is for the wireless connection, not the WAN connection, that is most likely a Gigabit connection (which your Cox connection won't reach either).
I'd be surprised if the wan is 1Gb, most likely still 100Mb, costs less and a gig connection is definitely not needed.