Pros: Competitive Pricing
Once setup the RE4100W-4A quickly (~40sec) restablishes connection to the router which allows for movement as and when needed.
Very well written downloadable PDF is quite complete covering everything a normal user might ask.
The setup IP has a help page for each and every page. In the upper right corner is a HELP clicking on it explains all the settings available on a page
Ethernet Port
DLNA streaming

Cons: Unless you go into setup and rename the RE4100 extender network you might not even know you are connected to the RE4100.
Do that first.
Ethernet 10/100
Sometimes I notice the green go light is amber for a few seconds, as I pass by, which means weak connection to the router. Maybe the microwave is running

Other Thoughts: Overview of range extender states "Wi-Fi range of up to 7,500 square feet". While possibly true, a search asking the question: What's the radius of a 7500 square foot circle the answer is 48.86 feet. Which means the network can be extended 48.86 feet max from the RE4100W-4A. I am sure these are line of sight ideal condition numbers. I would like data on ideal line of sight...How far can I place this from the router and still get the 7500 sq. foot coverage

I tested this with Win 7, 8.1, 10, Android Kit Kat and Linux Mint using multiple brands of network adapters (Qualcomm Atheros AR5B93, Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205, Edimax Nano USB, TP-LINK TL-WN722N USB and a TL-WN881ND Wireless N300 PCIE) on three laptops: Acer (2), a Dell and a home brew desktop. All variant connections were tested with a TP-Link Archer 5 AC 1200 router. Once I had the RE4100W-4A setup I had no issues connecting in any combination I cared to try except for the Linux Mint would would not connect to the Edimax Nano USB (the only adapter I tried). I don't know why and didn't care to look into it


Audio output with DLNA streaming: I used my Kit Kat Hisense Sero 7 Pro and an app called ShareON DLNA WiFi Music Player to stream music from my primary computer to some Logitech powered, 3.5 mm plug speakers. The RE4100W-4A gave me good sound and no hiccups.

I can confirm that the ethernet port works. I wish I knew the reason it is limited to 100Mbps. Maybe cost.


Range Extender or Signal Booster? I placed the RE4100W-4A in the house as close to my unattached garage as possible. I took my Acer laptop with an Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 chip out to the garage to see what signal strength would be like. I found that hitting off the RE4100W-4A gave me essentially no more signal strength then hitting off the Archer 5 AC router. The RE4100W-4A was about 30 ft closer to me then the router. To further develop this test I moved 30 ft further away. Even at this greater range the RE4100W-4A did not give me a stronger signal (according to the tools provided by Windows 7). Tests like this lead me to conclude the RE4100W-4A is really a booster not an extender. It may also be just the arrangement of my house rooms. If I lived in a long ranch style house or some massive loft I can conceive my results would be more along the lines of an extender. Finally, along this line of testing, the RE4100W-4A would NOT connect to the router when plugged in in the garage. It's about 50 ft through several walls so that's really no surprise.

If I place the RE4100W-4A in a bedroom about 30 feet from the router and then test my signal strength I get 300Mbps as opposed to 150Mbps. That is a 100% increase using the RE4100W-4A but the question then becomes what how does that increase actually provide a benefit for what I do while in the bedroom? The answer is nothing I can perceive. At 150 Mbps I can do everything with the same results as I can with 300 Mbps. I downloaded an Android app and a PC program that may be more precise regarding Wi-Fi signal strength both indicated and 15% improvement in signal strength when I hit off the RE4100W-4A

I wouldn't mind a switchable bright light on this device. Think about it. I have mine placed on a landing 3 steps up from the family room. Since this device is always plugged in why not include a white LED that could be used as a night light, of course there would need to be an option to turn the light off and the light would no doubt provide interference.

In conclusion: If you need an extender and I think most people don't or want a stronger signal even if it makes no noticable difference in your internet experience then the RE4100W-4A is as good a choice as any I have used in this price range. The added bonus of DLNA and an ethernet port make the package more attractive. If you live in a large OPEN area with many lines of sight then the RE4100W-4A is an excellent choice to boost your Wi-Fi. Recommended

Pros: Price..just about the most budget 480 GB SSD available at Newegg
Performance....The fastest non NVMe SSD I have benchmarked.
Slim 7mm height design...to fit theose ultra books and ultra slim notebooks
Phone Support picked up right away. A real person answered the phone

Cons: 3 year warranty

No software for cloning, monitoring or tweaking

No frame thickening disk.

A vendor, to provide a product at the lowest price must make decisions about parts.
Do you really want to buy a package of the cheapest of everything?

The pro reviews always crack open the SSD to report on the controller. In the 480 GB S55 there may be a Phison.
SP doesn't give out this data that I can find on their web page. Why?

TLC.

Web Chat is still not available.

Phone support is not toll free

Other Thoughts: Newegg list 987 SSD's in the 480-512 GB range. What is it about the 480GB S55 that sets it apart from the pack and makes it worth your dollars? If you are all about speed then this is an excellent choice. As I wrote I have never benched a faster non NVMe SSD.

S55 Empty
Sequential Read (Q= 32,T= 1) : 563.212 MB/s
Sequential Write (Q= 32,T= 1) : 535.601 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 335.238 MB/s [ 81845.2 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 292.439 MB/s [ 71396.2 IOPS]
Sequential Read (T= 1) : 500.615 MB/s
Sequential Write (T= 1) : 471.652 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 29.101 MB/s [ 7104.7 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 114.369 MB/s [ 27922.1 IOPS]

S55 With Data

Sequential Read (Q= 32,T= 1) : 559.897 MB/s
Sequential Write (Q= 32,T= 1) : 533.883 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 334.357 MB/s [ 81630.1 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 32,T= 1) : 348.427 MB/s [ 85065.2 IOPS]
Sequential Read (T= 1) : 491.930 MB/s
Sequential Write (T= 1) : 470.035 MB/s
Random Read 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 28.590 MB/s [ 6980.0 IOPS]
Random Write 4KiB (Q= 1,T= 1) : 114.884 MB/s [ 28047.9 IOPS]

OS : Windows 8.1 Pro [6.3 Build 9600] (x64)
MSI H81M-E34 Mobo with Intel G3258 CPU



If you are about vendors having support forums and a 5 year warranty (the minimum for an SSD IMO) then this isn't such a good option. If you care about spending as little as possible then this again becomes a good choice. As of 8-17-16 this is the lowest price Newegg SSD in the 480 -512 GB range. If you want ANY value added software for your money you are not going to get it at this price...in fact you are not even going to get a link at the SP site to download a third part option.

Pro OR Con?
The HARD plastic shell case that the drive shipped in opened super duper easy. It was like opening a book. I coudn't believe my fortune...I have NEVER seen that before...hmmm had it already been opened?

With prices so low on SSD's these days I am going to recommend that you don't consider anything smaller then a 480GB SSD. The 256GB has a limited market value these days. If you're strapped for cash or want to use the S55 in a secondary computer then I can't think of any reason not to consider the S55 480. It's fast and for so many that's what counts. Several reviewers commented on the cheap feel of the drive. The outer shell is all they can see and touch. If the outside seems budget then I ask what about the parts inside? I would rather not trust the least expensive SSD on the market for my data but that's just me.

3.5 Eggs