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Linksys E3200 router review: A formidable contender

A short while ago, I gave the Editors' Choice Award to the Asus RT-N56U. At the time I thought, "It's gonna be some time before there's another router that comes close." I was wrong.

Cisco's new Linksys E3200 High Performance Dual-Band N Router, which we just reviewed, makes a great contender as another excellent, true dual-band router that won't break your bank. As a matter of fact, if it were just a little cheaper and offered better built-in network storage performance, it would get an Editors' Choice Award as well.

Released at the same … Read more

D-Link DHP-1320 review: More all-in-one than one for all

If you live in a house that's either huge or has many thick walls or both, even the most powerful home wireless router probably won't be able to broadcast the signal to every corner. In this case, it's a good idea to also equip the property with power-line networking via kits such as the WD Livewire or the Linksys PLK300. In this case, it's more convenient to get yourself an all-in-one router that has built-in support for both Wi-Fi and power-line technologies.

The first example of this new type of networking device is the D-Link DHP-1320 Wireless N PowerLine Router.

The DHP-1320 looks similar to other wireless routers, except it's noticeably thicker. This is because its power adapter is housed inside the chassis and doubles as a power-line adapter. When plugged into the wall, the power cable will also work as a data cable for the first end of a power-line connection. All you have to do is plug other HomePlug AV Powerline adapters into other power sockets around the house and you'll have yourself a complete power-line network, which turns the home's electrical wiring into network cables.… Read more

Netgear DGND3700 router

The Netgear DGND3700 is essentially the same as the Netgear WNDR3700 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (Premium Edition) with only one difference: it has a built-in DSL modem. This means, DSL subscribers can forgo getting a modem from their Internet provider (and hence save some money) and plug the DSL phone line directly into this device.

For more information about the DGND3700's features and how it performs as a wireless router, check out the full review of the WNDR3700.

A sweet-sounding USB digital amplifier for headphones and speakers

The nice folks at Parts Express sent over an amazing-sounding little amplifier, the $129 Topping TP30. It's a tiny desktop Class T amp design, with one analog RCA stereo input and one USB connection (the TP30 has a built-in digital-to-analog converter). The amp delivers 15 watts per channel to 4 ohm-rated speakers (10 watts into 8 ohms), and has a 3.5 mm headphone jack on the front panel.

With its extruded aluminum chassis, 8mm thick, CNC-machined front panel, and solid-metal volume control knob the TP30 wouldn't look out of place in a high-end system. It even feels expensive, but I have just one nitpick: the illuminated blue LED ring surrounding the volume control knob is too bright. I wish there was a way to dim it or turn it off. The amp measures a tidy 4.13 inches by 1.77 inches by 8.07 inches.

The USB interface utilizes standard Windows audio class 1 drivers (it worked fine with my Mac mini). Internal parts quality is superb; the TP30 boasts Elna capacitors, Dale resistors, and an ALPS volume control. The Burr-Brown USB digital-to analog converter chip accepts up to 48 kHz sampling rates with 16-bit resolution.

I compared the sound of the TP30 with my Audioengine N22 amp ($199), and they're both pretty good. The N22 has a fuller, warmer tonal balance, but the TP30 has a more immediate, detailed sound with more tightly controlled bass. I used my Audioengine P4 speakers for all of my speaker-based listening tests. It's interesting, the TP30 is a digital amp and takes digital signals "straight-in" via its USB port; the N22 is analog-only and is a more traditional Class A/B amplifier design. It sounded softer, and a wee bit less defined than the TP30.… Read more

Trendnet ships first 450Mbps Wireless-N adapter

Three-stream (3x3) Wireless-N routers capable of offering the new 450Mbps speed (as opposed to the 300Mbps of most N routers) have been available for a while (examples: the Linksys E4200 or the Trendnet TEW-691GR ). But unless you have a laptop with a built-in Intel 6300/5300 Ultimate N adapter, you can't take advantage of this faster speed. Until now.

Trendnet announced today that it's shipping what it calls the first USB 3x3 Wireless-N adapter on the market: the 450Mbps Dual Band Wireless N USB Adapter (model TEW-684UB). The device lets you upgrade your computer to support the faster wireless speed.

Like most recent N devices, the adapter features advanced multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology. Its antennas, however, can handle three streams, instead of two, and therefore generate a maximum wireless throughput of 450Mbps. The device is dual-band, meaning it can work with both 2.4GHz or 5GHz wireless networks, and incorporates Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) that allows for connecting to wireless networks with the touch of a button.

Unlike most wireless adapters, which are shaped like a thumbdrive, the Trendnet TEW-684UB is much larger, about the size of a mini router and requires a separate USB cable to connect to a computer. This design means it's better suited for desktop computers than laptops. Apart from 450Mbps wireless networks, it's also compatible with existing regular 300Mbps and lower speed Wireless-N routers.

The 450 Mbps Dual Band Wireless N USB Adapter TEW-684UB adapter comes with a three-year warranty. It's available now and estimated to cost around $80.… Read more

D-Link to ship new budget N router

It looks like D-Link wants to offer a competitor to Cisco's new Linksys E1500 budget router

According to D-Link, this new single-band router features multiple intelligent antennas, and supports Intelligent Quality of Service, which aids in optimizing Internet traffic for services such as VoIP or gaming.

Most significant, however, is the fact that D-Link's new router supports Gigabit Ethernet, which the E1500 doesn't. This means wired clients can enjoy network speeds of up to 1000Mbps, and those with a home server can enjoy media streaming to multiple devices without worrying about clogging their networks.

Like most wireless routers, the DIR-651 comes with four LAN ports and one WAN port. For security, the router also supports all variations of WPA and WPA2 standards. In addition, it supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), so you can add WPS-enabled clients to the network with the push of a button.

The DIR-651 Wireless N 300 Gigabit Router is slated to be available next month for an estimated price of $90, about the same as that of the Linksys E1500.… Read more

Tackling nVidia Quadro 4000 graphics issues with OS X 10.6.7

After installing the OS X 10.6.7 update, a number of people running nVidia Quadro 4000 graphics cards in their Mac Pro systems have found issues with performance problems, odd graphical quirks when scrolling or viewing video, and some problems with managing and running secondary displays.

MacFixIt reader "Alex" wrote in with such an issue:

I'm experiencing full screen white flashes/screen redraws after invoking certain GPU targeted functions in PS CS5 and Final Cut Pro (latest)--averages about every 20-30 seconds--stops when above operations stop [using an early 2008 Mac Pro with a Quadro 4000]. … Read more

Cisco refreshes wireless-N Linksys E series routers

If you have read the review of the Linksys E4200 router and decided to move on, thinking "It's just so sweet but it's too expensive, plus I don't want all the bells and whistles anyway," perhaps you don't need to walk away. As it turns out, the E4200 is just a teaser of an entire new generation in the Linksys E series that Cisco announced today.

Apart from the E4200, the new generation includes four new routers: E1200, E1500, E2500, and E3200. Except for the E1500, which is a new tier of its own, … Read more

Get a TrendNet 802.11n travel router for $19.99

How many times has this happened to you? You check into your hotel, only to find it doesn't have Wi-Fi. Or charges extra for it. Or the signal in your room is too weak to be of any use.

What you need is a travel router, a portable gizmo you can connect to the room's Ethernet cable to create your own speedy, potentially free Wi-Fi hot spot. (Some hotels charge for Internet access regardless of how you connect, but others offer the Ethernet variety free.)

Newegg has the TrendNet TEW-654TR Wireless N Travel Router Kit for $19.99 shipped. … Read more

D-Link ships hybrid power-line wireless router

After all the buzz at CES 2011 about a hybrid all-in-one option that combines Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and power line in one box, you now can lay your hands on an actual product.

D-Link announced today that it is now shipping the first hybrid router, the Wireless-N PowerLine Router (model DHP-1320).

The router combines a regular Wireless-N router with the 200Mbps HomePlug AV standard. This means the router's power cord itself provides power-line data connectivity, and you can use any other HomePlug AV adapters at the far end of the connection to extend the network there, via electrical wiring. Traditionally … Read more