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Best wireless router overall
Pros: At or near the top on most performance tests, backward-compatible with 802.11g, excels in mixed networks, gaming-priority mode, doesn't conflict with other wireless devices, …
Cons: Web interface confusing, uSB ports don't support storage or print sharing, expensive.
DIR-655
IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0), IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u
2.4 GHz
3 external, detachable
WPA and WPA2, NAT firewall, SPI firewall
Windows XP SP2, Vista, Mac OS X 10.4
Gigabit Ethernet LAN (4 ports), gigabit Internet WAN, power port, USB port
White
7.6 in.
4.6 in.
1.2 in.
11.2 oz.
CAT5 Ethernet cable, power adapter, CD-ROM with Installation Wizard, documentation
QoS technology, parental controls, supports Windows Connect Now (WCN), automatic firmware update notification, email notification for triggered events, wall-mountable
One-year limited
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Best value wireless router
Pros: Speed, three-year warranty, traffic-priority controls, low price.
Cons: Opinions split on ease of setup, no Gigabit Ethernet switch.
TEW-631BRP
IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0), IEEE 802.11e QoS
2.4 GHz
3 external, fixed
WPA: WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK (AES-11b/g/n, TKIP-11b/g)
WPS: support PIN and PBC
SSID broadcast control, NAT firewall, SPI firewall
Windows 95, NT, 2000, 2003, XP, Vista; Mac OS X, Linux
Fast Ethernet 10/100 LAN (4 ports), Internet WAN, power port
Blue
4.6 in.
6.8 in.
1.1 in.
12.8 oz.
Multi-language quick installation guide, installation CD-ROM, power adapter (12V DC, 1A), RJ-45 cable (1.5m)
QoS technology, policy-based parental control; time based internet access; port range/service filtering; Dynamic URL filtering; Internet domain restriction; 32 user defined schedules, 24 MAC address filter entries
Three-year limited
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Best basic router
Pros: Price, compact, with internal antenna, easy setup, good performance.
Cons: Not as fast as Wireless-N routers, range more limited than some.
WRT54G2
IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b
2.4 GHz
2 internal
Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall, Internet policy; Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), WEP, wireless MAC filtering
Windows XP, Vista
Fast Ethernet 10/100 LAN (4 ports), Internet WAN, power port
Black
6.3 in.
7.99 in.
1.38 in.
9.88 oz.
LELA and setup software and user guide on CD-ROM, installation guide, network cable, power adapter
All-in-one Internet-sharing router, 4-port switch, and Wireless-G (802.11g) access point; shares a single Internet connection and other resources with Ethernet wired and Wireless-G and -B devices; Push-button setup feature
One-year limited