New Linksys E-Series Routers Boost Speed, Cut Down Hassle

I'm currently visiting my Mom's home in Portland and had to do some heavy-duty uploading and downloading of files from my Dropbox account, and it seemed to take forever. After a bit of investigating, I was satisfied that there wasn't a problem with my MacBook Pro or Dropbox--it was the classic blue Linksys 802.11b/g router that's been kicking out her Internet connection now for about 6 years.

With the Wireless-N Wi-Fi standard now fully becoming standard (no longer draft) and the need for faster download of streaming media (what with all the HD videos of her grandson that she needs to download), it's high time I upgraded her router. And conveniently, Cisco just announced the launch of its new Linksys E-Series Wireless-N routers this week.

The E-Series isn't completely new, as the top-of-the-line E4200 model came out in January. But the rest of the line-up--which includes four Wireless-N routers of varying specs and prices--continue the design motif that CrunchGear describes as a "little alien racecar." Starting things out is the affordable E1200, which will get you started with the improved speed and enhanced coverage area that Wireless-N provides for just $50. The step-up E1500 adds Cisco's SpeedBoost technology, which might be a better choice for bathing a larger home in Wi-Fi goodness.

Bringing more specs to the party are the dual-band E2500 and E3200, which can operate in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wireless-N frequencies and thereby improve your overall bandwidth by using those bands simultaneously. Additionally, the E3200 includes four Gigabit wired Ethernet ports (compared to Fast 10/100 Ethernet for the E1200, E1500, and E2500) and a USB port for connecting an external hard drive that can be shared with everyone on your network.

At the top of the E-Series heap is the E4200, which tops out at 450 Mbps throughput at the 5 GHz frequency (compared to 300 Mbps for the E2500 and E3200)--perfect for wirelessly streaming Full HD 1080p video through your home.

And each of the E-Series routers comes with Cisco Connect software, which makes setting up a new Wi-Fi network a breeze even for those who, say, might lean on their son for long-distance home IT projects. With Cisco Connect, you can set up a network in three simple steps, as well as set parental controls and provide Internet access for guests on a separate guest network.

Check out the full lineup of Linksys E-Series routers, and do a little compare-and-contrast for yourself with this handy table.

Linksys Wireless-N Router Comparison

Models:	E1200	E1500	E2500	E3200	E4200
Technology	Wireless-N
Wi-Fi Max Speed	300 Mbps	300 Mbps	300 Mbps	300 Mbps	300 Mbps in 2.4GHz 450 Mbps in 5Ghz
Compatibility	Wireless-N, -B, -G	Wireless-N, -B, -G	Wireless-N, -A, -B, -G	Wireless-N, -A, -B, -G	Wireless-N, -A, -B, -G
Bands	Single-band 2.4 GHz	Single-band 2.4 GHz	Simultaneous Dual-band 2.4 + 5 GHz	Simultaneous Dual-band 2.4 + 5 GHz	Simultaneous Dual-band 2.4 + 5 GHz
Transmit/Receive Streams	2 x 2	2 x 3	2 x 2	2 x 3	3 x 3
SpeedBoost
Power Amplifiers	Integrated On-Chip	External Off-Chip	Integrated On-Chip	External Off-Chip High Power	External Off-Chip High Power
Ports	4 x 10/100	4 x 10/100	4 x 10/100	4 x Gigabit 1 x USB	4 x Gigabit 1 x USB
USB Features				Shared Storage  Shared Printer*	Shared Storage   Shared Printer* Media Server
Wi-Fi Protected Setup	Yes
UPnP Support	Yes
Parental Controls	Time of Day Access Controls Specific Website Blocking
Guest Wi-Fi Access	Separate SSID for guests keeps your WiFi private
Wireless Security	WEP, WPA and WPA2 Personal and Enterprise, RADIUS
Warranty	1 year hardware limited warranty, 90 days complimentary assisted support
Package Contents	Router, AC Adapter, CD-ROM with setup software, Ethernet Network Cable, Quick Start Guide
Setup Software CD	Cisco Connect Windows XP SP3, Vista SP1 or later, Windows 7 Mac OS X 10.5, 10.6

^{* Shared printer support available via firmware/software download in Summer 2011 (E4200 and E3200)}

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

Comments

[canada wholesale dropshippers on April 06, 2011 at 12:28 AM]

Linksys is one of the best among wireless devices which transmit network signals at specific frequency. Speed of the network signals is gauge through these frequencies. Normally 1.2Ghz frequency is used in the devices but Linksys has launch 2.4Ghz and even more 5Ghz in it's E4200 model which can take load of several users working simultaneously in a lightening speed. It's covered area also increases with 230 feet from 125 and the best thing is that it is inexpensive and everyone can take advantage of this new router.

[T-Mobile G-Slate on April 06, 2011 at 05:12 AM]

Really a educative and informative post, the post is good in all regards,I am glad to read this post.

[kate welsh on April 06, 2011 at 07:30 AM]

Cisco is the best software... This post is very informative. Thumbs up!

[canada wholesale dropshippers on April 11, 2011 at 05:02 AM]

Since 1995 Linksys was very famous in USA in networking technology products by giving high end performance to it's users. Later than in 2003 Cisco a giant company acquired Linksys. Cisco do not remove the name because of it's large fame and launch it's products with the name / logo "Linksys by Cisco". However it is the best in providing networking solution but it is also very expensive to buy.

[toenail fungus remedies on April 13, 2011 at 01:47 PM]

Technologies are on the fast rise nowadays and it is really gaining ground. New routers are appearing everywhere featuring new add ons. However when it comes to this gadgets. I'd prefer using cisco made products. However it is too expensive. So, the best alternative is linksys. Performance wise it is on par with cisco products.

[france wholesale dropshippers on April 13, 2011 at 09:39 PM]

You are right, because of it's higher price most of the people prefer to buy Linksys products and large companies prefer to buy the expensive one Cisco. I heard about Cisco that it's products are so durable and their systems runs continuously for months even years that may be the reason companies prefer expensive Cisco products.

[Wholesalefund on April 18, 2011 at 02:28 AM]

that's fine useful chart

[Maryland Criminal Lawyer on April 20, 2011 at 11:39 PM]

Lynksys is really a great alternative if you can't afford any cicso routert. They basically do the same thing but comes at a cheaper price.

[samsung galaxy s 4g on April 21, 2011 at 05:10 AM]

Hi there are lots of new technologies around us it is the one of the m but i hope it will work.

[usa wholesale dropshippers on April 22, 2011 at 04:54 AM]

Why not it work? Linksys is largely used all over world giving best solutions in networking technology and it's users are highly satisfy with it's performance.

[Faisal on April 22, 2011 at 01:21 PM]

Ah wish I could get one of these to get some kick for my internet speed

[wholesale dropshippers on April 26, 2011 at 04:07 AM]

Feel sorry about your internet speed 'Faisal' but if you are thinking that your internet speed is slow because of router than first you have to check your internet connection that it's physical condition from your side and from host is free from any damage. If it is all right then you have to change your router which gives broader bandwidth coverage, like Linksys.

[Hydroxatone on April 27, 2011 at 05:19 AM]

Really nice topic for me.

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[uk wholesale dropshippers on April 29, 2011 at 04:08 AM]

But sometimes design also makes a positive impact on people when they are buying and when design and performance meets together it makes a goodwill of that company which helps it to lead in the market and then people prefer to buy products of that company.

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Apple but there is one thing that Apple has strong market hold but it can be beaten by Google's http://www.asicsshoesking.org/ new and more

[australian wholesale dropshippers on May 04, 2011 at 02:39 AM]

It is quite true that Apple has strong hold in the market and Google has enough strength to break this monopoly and it had also try in the past by launching Nexus but they stop making and selling of their smart phone, i don't know why? but in the near future they will launch it again with their best strategy to make it's place in the market as a leader in smart phone technology.

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[Small Business Loans on May 05, 2011 at 02:09 AM]

I'd prefer using cisco made products. However it is too expensive. So, the best alternative is linksys. Performance wise it is on par with cisco products.

[canada wholesale dropshippers on May 05, 2011 at 04:30 AM]

Yes you are right, i will also prefer to buy an expensive product one time rather than buying cheap one again and again. But in wholesale you can get the expensive products cheap with upto 50% discount sometimes.

[dell gx280 on May 06, 2011 at 01:48 AM]

After hours on the phone with Linksys customer support (that I could barely understand) I gave up and tried to return it. But it was beyond the date. It was basically a waste of $50, in my experience.
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[fotograf nunti iasi on June 02, 2011 at 03:37 AM]

Really good article. For some time I've been thinking of upgrading the router. E3200 seems to be exactly what I need.

[Micro SD Card on June 03, 2011 at 01:53 AM]

Nice post.Thank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful!

[stretch mark cream on June 24, 2011 at 07:47 AM]

Linksys beats Zyxel wayyyy down!