Ben's Bargains

[destiny168]

Cisco Linksys E1000, Cisco Valet M10, Cisco Linksys WRT160N User Review

Purchasing the Cisco Linksys E1000 Wireless-N router in April of 2010 was my first attempt at upgrading my home wireless network from wireless G to wireless N. The Cisco Linksys E1000 is a re-branded Cisco Linksys WRT160N. A new Cisco router brand, the “Valet” series, features a Cisco Valet M10 with preconfigured software and a set up software wizard to aid non-technical consumers with setting up their home wireless network. All three routers have exact same hardware, chipset, features and performance. You may even call them the Cisco-Linksys Triplets!

Cisco Linksys E1000 or Cisco Linksys WRT160N (Retails for $59.99 to $79.99)


Cisco Valet M10 (Retails for $89.99 to $99.99)


Specifications:

· Broadcom 4716 @ 300MHz Processor

· 2.4GHz Band, 802.11 A,B,G,N…Wireless-N transfer speeds up to 300Mbps (Theoretical)

· 4 x Ethernet Ports 10/100

· 2 Internal Antennas

· Can Use Third Party Firmware

Home Test Results: Home size – 1500 sqft

Setting up the router with the included set-up CD was a breeze. The first thing I noticed was better range for my laptop. I can connect to the router from outside my garage or at the front of my home property (approximately 100 ft radius from router) and still get a strong connection. My internet download speed was faster.

When I change the channel width to 40MHz to optimize wireless N throughput speeds, devices that are not wireless N can no longer connect to the router (which is normal). I tried streaming 1080P videos and it was just 1 or 2 Mbps better than a wir

[dave_c]

Other than low signal/intermittent connections, routers don't effect whether your network shares/etc are more or less usable (unless you intentionally block that), otherwise it's still the fault of the client systems.

[destiny168]