X

Netgear's new dual-band router offers 450Mbps on 5GHz band

Netgear announces the N750 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router (WNDR4000), which offers wireless speed of up to 450Mbps on the 5GHz frequency band.

Dong Ngo SF Labs Manager, Editor / Reviews
CNET editor Dong Ngo has been involved with technology since 2000, starting with testing gadgets and writing code for CNET Labs' benchmarks. He now manages CNET San Francisco Labs, reviews 3D printers, networking/storage devices, and also writes about other topics from online security to new gadgets and how technology impacts the life of people around the world.
See full bio
Dong Ngo
2 min read
Netgear's first 450Mbps true dual-band router, the WNDR4000.
Netgear's first 450Mbps true dual-band router, the WNDR4000. Netgear

LAS VEGAS--It's been getting more and more exciting in the wireless networking world recently since Trendnet shipped the first 450Mbps single-band Wireless-N router, the TEW-691GR, and announced yesterday the first 450Mbps true-dual band Wireless N router (model TEW-692GR).

Netgear today joined the party by announcing its first 450Mbps dual-band router, the N750 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router (model WNDR4000).

Like those from Trendnet, Netgear's new networking device is based on the three-stream standard (or 3 by 3), in which each stream carries up to 150Mbps, hence the cap of 450Mbps.

The WNDR4000, however, unlike the TEW-692GR from Trendnet, offers the high 450Mbps speed only on the 5GHz frequency band, while the 2.4GHz band remains at the traditional dual-stream 300Mbps speed. According to Netgear, this is because the company believes that for now the requirements of processing power and the congestion of the 2.4GHz band don't translate into a great bang for the consumer's buck.

So who can take advantage of this new speed? Anyone with a laptop that's equipped with Intel's Centrino N-5300 and Centrino N-6300 Wi-Fi adapters. These two Wi-Fi chipsets, also known as Intel's Ultimate N Wi-Fi Link family, can handle all standards of Wi-Fi, including the three-stream standard. In the future, Netgear says it will also release USB adapters that support this higher speed.

Other than this high speed that can handle data-intensive applications, such as HD video streaming, simultaneous downloads and so on, the N750 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router also offers following features:

  • ReadyShare USB: Better, easy support for external USB storage devices

  • Live parental controls: Comprehensive Web-filtering features that help keep Internet access under control

  • Guest networking: Separate wireless networks with access to the Internet but isolated from local resources

  • Broadband usage meter: A feature that monitors Internet traffic and sends customized reports

  • Netgear Genie software: A desktop application that helps simplify the task of managing your network

The N750 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router will be available in the first quarter of the year and will cost around $180.