Netgear WPN-824 RangeMax Mimo Wireless Router Review
I decided over the weekend to replace my D-link DI-624 router when it had problems connecting again, which also lead me to have a nice ‘dispute’ with PCWorld. The signal strength was fluctuating too much making it hard for me to get anything done. It was time to get a WPN-824 which has MIMO technology built in and utilises 7 antennas for maximum range and strength.
After a quick check online I worked out that PCWorld had the best price and there was a store a few miles away from me so I decided to go and pick one up rather than ordering online. When I arrived at the store I discovered that the in-store price was £130 not the £85 price which was shown online. I said to the store rep I was talking to that I thought this was disgraceful as they were basically taking advantage of in-store shopper’s ignorance. I asked if I could have the online price to which of course I was told no. I was however told that I could order the router online, and pick it up at the store rather than having it delivered!
To show how ridiculous I thought this was I went out to my car, grabbed my laptop and took it into the store and connected to the internet via my Nokia 6680, and placed my order right there in front of them and got the £85 price!
Anyway, back to the review. After having a few initial problems getting the router configured because it kept powering down every 10 seconds, which was fixed with a reboot, everything went very smoothly. The configuration screens are nicely laid out so that users are kept away from the advanced screens if they only want create a basic configuration.
One bonus which I wasn’t expecting is that the 108Mbps mode was compatible with the Super G mode on my Dlink adaptors so I don’t have to replace these to get the best out of the new router.
I think Netgear have realised that routers end up in prominent places within homes in order to improve transmission strength, and a lot of effort has gone into the appearance of the router. The blue light in the centre of the router has a ’scanning’ effect and a light track around the circumference has Battlestar Galatica Cyclops type effect which is quite cool to watch. My 3 year-old niece loved it!
One drawback I’ve found so far is that the router doesn’t seem to allow me to create static IPs for my devices but other than that I would recommend this router.
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