- Average user rating: stars out of 23 reviews
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Product summary
Price range: $59.99 - $124.15 check prices
CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Routers. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of router.
Wireless gateway router
Wireless routers are essential for any home network that will combine wireless and wired network connections. Assuming that you have broadband service that provides an appropriate broadband modem (DSL or cable), this device can act as a gateway router that will connect your entire household to the internet. It handles requests from one machine in the Local Area Network (LAN - your house) to another and to the internet, and keeps track of which computer asked for what. The modem plugs into the router in a specially-marked port, and then the local computers either physically connect to it or connect to the wireless network which it also handles. It is recommended that desktop systems be connected by physical Ethernet cables, as they are more reliable, while laptops can use the wireless network from anywhere in the house.
Read more in the Wireless Network Buying Guide
See more Wireless gateway router products
Pre-N wireless
These products use the current draft version of the upcoming 802.11n standard. Compatibility with other and future products is not guaranteed. However, such problems are rare and it is likely that a firmware upgrade after the specification is finalized will solve any problems (consider if you feel confident performing such an update). Also, while 802.11n is designed to be backwards compatible with 802.11g, 802.11b and 802.11a, it had been noticed that -n can interfere with the operation of current 802.11b and g products.
The yet-to-be finalized 802.11n standard is based on MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) technology, which takes advantage of multiple data streams. This concept was considered a problem until someone figured out how to harness these many streams of data to improve both throughput and range. As of mid-2008 draft 4.0 of the 802.11n standard has been approved, and most of the major wireless networking vendors are offering routers and adapters based on the updated spec. Again, the differences are not such that the bulk of earlier equipment will be affected in its ability to work with the more current versions, and firmware updates should take care of any problems. Final ratification of the standard is currently projected for 2009.
Read more in the Wireless Network Buying Guide
See more Pre-N wireless products
User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 23 reviews
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Where to buy
Belkin F5D8233 Wireless N Router:
$59.99 - $124.15
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$64.99 | Yes |
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$59.99 | Yes |
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$72.44 | Yes |
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$102.30 | Yes |
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Instawares, Inc.
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$124.15 | No |
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