CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Wireless Access Points. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of wireless access point.
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
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