- Four High-Performance Antennas
- 1.2 GHz Dual-Core ARM Processor
- 4 x Gigabit Lan Ports, eSATA and USB 3.0 Ports
- Media Server DLNA and Open Source
- 128MB Flash, 256MB DDR3 RAM
- Open Source Ready
Amazing Router
07/28/2014
This review is from: Linksys WRT1900AC Wireless AC Dual Band Router AC1900, Open Source ready, eSATA/ USB 3.0 Ports
Pros:
I have never used a router that transmits a stronger signal than this. In addition to this router I own a Netgear WNDR4500 and they trade blows on the 2.4Ghz band, neither really showing clear evidence of being stronger than the other. On the 5Ghz band, however, there was no contest. This WRT1900AC was clearly 5-10 dBa stronger than the WNDR4500, regardless of range.
The 4 adjustable antennas seem to be doing their job nicely. I haven't experimented much with using alternate antenna positions but I like that the option is available to do so. They are also detacheable, allowing for them to be switched out for different antennas.
Soft white LED's don't look like Christmas lights or lasers. They are probably the most attractive and effective LED indicators that I have seen in a router. The brightness is a good balance of being effective and not distracting. Each indicator has a unique appearance which allows someone to recognize what is being indicated without having to get up close and read the labels.
Ethernet port LED's differentiate between 10/100 and 1000Mbps. This is great for devices like gaming consoles, which do not readily make connection details apparent.
Effective heat management includes a built in fan and plenty of ventilated surface area. Heat should not be a problem at all as long as the router is allowed to breath. My house stays at an ambient temperature of around 73 degrees Fahrenheit and the router remains just warm to the touch. In the past 3 weeks I have never noticed the fan turn on.
Not JUST USB ports for file sharing, but USB 3.0 AND eSATA. Personally, I don't have a great need for file sharing through a router but I ran some tests anyway to compare it with others. USB 3.0 makes a tangible difference in access times and transfer rates. It has proven to be very responsive and even allows scanning through high bitrate video files while playing with barely any noticeable buffering. That's the best performance I've experienced on a router media server so far.
The router menu and interface are fantastic. Everything I have come to expect in a high end router is there, in addition to the best looking interface I have come across to date.
Cons:
No option to set up vertically without wall mounting. I used a Netgear WNDR3700 for a couple years and I loved having the option to set up either vertically or horizontally. Granted, the WNDR4500 I upgraded to can only be used vertically and if I had to choose just one of the two configuration options it would be horizontal, like this router. Not a big deal really.
The power supply does not have a dedicated ground. I have experienced multiple network devices fail as the result of a lightning storm or power surge so I would like to see this feature be more common (especially as high end as this router is). It IS a feature of my Netgear WNDR4500 power supply.
The Twonky media server interface seems a little 'twonky'. Some of the features don't seem to work properly. I have tried multiple times to use the 'upload' function and every time results in a connection reset. Attempting to load the "Flash Media Browser" results in a "service not available" error. Nearly every setup tab has the same three buttons, "Save Changes", "Cancel", and "Restart Server". Save what settings? There don't seem to be any settings to change. In addition to those limitations there seems to be some limitation on file formats. A couple videos played without audio and a couple didn't play at all. All that being said, the files that play seem to play seamlessly.
While the router may in fact be "Open Source Ready", Open Source does not yet seem to be ready for the router. I have checked for updates on the openwrt forum and the driver does in fact seem to be on the way, it's just unfortunate that it has taken as long as it has.
This thing is gigantic. In actual dimensions it's not much bigger than my WNDR4500, but laying horizontally, in addition to the 4 antennas gives this thing some serious size. It demands desk space as a sacrifice.
Price. This is one of the best routers on the market right now. You just need to ask yourself if that's what you need/want and whether or not you're willing to pay for it.
Overall Review:
When I was asked to review this router I was already set on using my WNDR4500 for the foreseeable future and I didn't see this Linksys changing any of those plans. Why not keep what has been working for me and sell this for a pretty penny? That was my thought process but I find myself rethinking that strategy. I think my Netgear WNDR4500 will have to find a new home because this thing is pretty awesome.
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- Matthew H.
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EggXpert
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Owned For:
1 week to 1 month
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