TRENDnet's Wireless-N Router Provides 300 Mbps

By Kevin Parrish
published

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 Output  (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.

Kevin Parrish
22 Comments Comment from the forums
  • mlopinto2k1
    Awesome.
    Reply
  • christop
    killer
    Reply
  • sunflier
    Wireless 300MBps isn't new. D-Link, to name one, even has Dual Band Technology. However, having 300MBps/DBT/2xUSB/price makes it a nice choice.
    Reply
  • NapoleonDK
    I really like where this is going. I don't know about anyone else, but the thought of setting this little gem in my office with a pair of 500GB+ portable HDDs just fills me with feelings I can't explain...
    Reply
  • anamaniac
    Hmm, well, I paid $150 for my D-Link Extreme N Dual Band Gigabit router... I think this is better though, it has 2 USB ports instead of one. =D
    Though my white with a black stripe D-Link is sexier.
    Reply
  • baddad
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122326
    Reply
  • Boxa786
    LOL, Iv had my wireless N router for over 6 months now and I got it free. There's no real tech using it, such as phones, laptops and consoles, so nothing new.

    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.
    Reply
  • philologos
    I'm sorry but is this a news story or and advertisement. Did TRENDNet bribe you to post this article? If the router was, for instanc, the first available complying to the final 801.11n specifications, then I could see this being newsworthy.

    I don't like being negative, but I care about standards. I'm sure it's a fine router.
    Reply
  • michaelahess
    Far too expensive still, my $20 wireless-n pci card in my free firewall (reused dell gx260) with pfsense is a much more capable device. Guess it does use more power, but whoopdy f'n doo.
    Reply
  • cablechewer
    The specs say N (Draft 2.0). I find that disappointing. I was hoping the new year would bring wireless N routers that are based on the final standard, not more Draft 2.0 hardware. I will have to start looking at the specs of other N hardware announced at CES...


    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.
    Reply