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October 13, 2009 1:10 PM PDT

CNET's top-rated sub-$100 Wireless-N routers

by Dong Ngo
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Via e-mails and discussions with people, I've recently discovered that a lot of folks out there still have the impression that 300Mbps Wireless-N routers are not as affordable as the old 54Mbps Wireless-G routers are.

The D-Link DIR-615 costs just around $40 and offered very good performance in our tests.

(Credit: CNET)

Granted, you may be able to get a Wireless-G router for free from your service provider, but those tend to be very basic and limited in networking features. If you are willing to pay anything more than nothing, Wireless-N routers can be really affordable.

The D-Link DIR-615, for example, can be found online for about $40, and the Tp-Link TL-WR941ND for just $50.

Check out our list of Wireless-N routers that won't dig a hole in your wallet.

Note that these routers tend to be affordable because they lock out high-end features, such as support for dual-band or network storage (all of these routers are single 2.4Ghz band, but so are Wireless-G routers). They also tend to offer shorter ranges compared with higher-end, more expensive, Wireless-N routers.

However, for most home networking needs, they will work out just fine.

Originally posted at Crave
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"Inside CNET Labs" has two meanings. First, this podcast takes you behind the scenes of CNET's editorial process from a performance testing perspective. It will demystify CNET's performance testing process, allowing the listener an inside look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of performance testing. The second meaning gets equal attention--and sometimes more so--as we go inside the heads of CNET's San Francisco Labs staff, Eric Franklin and Dong Ngo, who will have opinionated discussions on subjects ranging from the insecurities of people to whether the existence of time can be proven. This is the stuff they've talked about every day for several years. Unfortunately for them (and fortunately for you, we hope), it's now being recorded.

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Eric Franklin Eric Franklin's colleagues once had the following to say to him: "Eric, you've been doing this performance testing thing for over 10 years now. How about you try something different?" To which Eric responded, "How about you shut the #%$@! up?" This candid attitude allows him to go toe-to-toe with the most extreme of personalities, including that of Dong Ngo. This bio was written by Eric Franklin.
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