Router Review - Linksys E4200 router

No cables attached


Cut all ties with the Linksys E4200 router

by S Shiva
04:46 AM Apr 27, 2011

The Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Wireless-N Router by Cisco is a dual-band router that provides an excellent wireless surfing experience while remaining user-friendly.

The E4200 is a sleek and lightweight device, built with internal antennas - to keep its svelte silhouette. It houses four gigabit ports on the back, so that other devices like media players and game consoles can be connected, with a USB port which can be used to connect a hard drive to add storage capacity to the network.

On its front, the E4200 does not have the usual set of status lights. Instead, it has a Cisco logo, which pulses white when the E4200 is starting up, or if it has encountered a problem, and glows steadily when everything is running smoothly.

Setting up the E4200 is a simple, quick affair and can be done on both the Windows and Mac OS. The E4200 comes with a quick installation guide and a start up CD-ROM, which contains Cisco Connect.

Cisco Connect guides users in both physically setting up the router, and to get the network recognised on their computers. The settings on the E4200 can also be tweaked through Cisco Connect.

The router has two separate access points, a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz band. The 2.4 GHz band offers up to 300 Mbps wireless speed, while the 5 GHz band offers a more powerful wireless speed of up to 450 Mbps. These two bands work simultaneously and, upon initial installation, they are set up as one combined wireless network with one user ID and password.

The E4200 has excellent wireless connectivity and range, and both bands performed exceptionally well while a file was downloading at a distance of about 20 metres with two walls in between.

Playing online games was lag-free and fast, even with a game console and a computer connected to the E4200.

With extensive testing over four days, the E4200 did not disconnect at all despite heavy network usage for video streaming, downloads and online gaming.

It should be noted that the E4200 tends to get warm fairly quickly. It felt warm to the touch within 30 minutes after it was turned on but does not overheat even after extended usage. The only other problem with the E4200 is a small one - its power supply comes from a bulky AC adaptor that dwarfs the sleek device.

Overall, the E4200 provides powerful wireless speeds and a reliable performance. Setting it up is easy, and the guide in Cisco Connect ensures that everyone who can use a computer will have no problem getting the E4200 up and running in a few minutes.

In terms of performance, the E4200 offers a great solution to connect your devices, and its sleek design makes it a great conversation piece.

The Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Wireless-N Router retails for S$279 and is available at leading computer retailers. S Shiva

Source: www.todayonline.com