CES 2009

The RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router + DSL Modem DGND3300 from Netgear.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CBS Interactive)

If you sign up for a DSL Internet service, chances are you will be offered a router and modem combo device.

I would normally recommend against this kind of combo deal, as it doesn't provide the flexibility of choosing the right router for the network. That's not to mention that the combo router offered by the service provider tends to be subpar, in both performance and features. It's much more flexible to get just the modem and add a separate wireless router later.

Now I am about to change that mentality with what Netgear introduced at CES this year, the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router + DSL Modem DGND3300. It's because the router part of the device offers most of what you would look for in any separate router.

The DGND3300 looks basically the same as the WNDR3300 with one exception: instead of a WAN port (that works with cable and DSL modem) it has a telephone port so that you can just plug the phone line right in. According to Netgear, the router features a built-in DSL2+ modem and will work with most DSL services.

The DGND3300 is probably the first router/modem combo device that features concurrent dual-band wireless, meaning it can work in both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequencies at the same time.

Some other features of the DGND3300 include:

• Automatic quality of service
• Eight internal smart antennas
• Wi-Fi protected setup with a push button that allows for quickly adding wireless client to the network
• Automatically upgrades to the latest router firmware
• Convenient on/off switch helps save energy when not in use
• Efficient Energy Star compliant power supply
• Made out of 80 percent recycled materials

The The RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router + DSL Modem DGND3300 seems a good choice when you want to cut down the amount of devices (and wires) in your tight office corner. And for now, it might just be the only solution that doesn't compromise advanced wireless networking features and performance.

The router will be available during the first quarter of the year and will cost about $169.

The back of the router shows its telephone port that takes the place of a WAN port.

(Credit: Netgear)

The TEW-673GR true dual-band wireless-N router from Trendnet.

(Credit: Trendnet)

Better late than never, Trendnet unveiled at CES 2009 its first true dual-band wireless-N router, the 300Mbps Concurrent Dual-Band Wireless N Gigabit Router, or TEW-673GR. This is the upgrade to the company's TEW-672GR, which was released five months ago and is a non-true dual-band router.

The TEW-673GR is built with an Atheros chipset and Trendnet claims that it delivers unsurpassed wireless speed. Most importantly, the router offers concurrent dual-band wireless-N performance.

If you still don't know what this means, concurrent (or true) dual-band technology allows two wireless networks simultaneously, using both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio frequencies. This enables users to create an advanced hybrid network in which wireless clients can be assigned to either the 2.4GHz or the 5GHz band.

Most wireless networks use the 2.4GHz radio frequency, in which cordless phones, cellular phones, microwaves and Bluetooth devices also operate. The crowded nature of the 2.4GHz band can degrade your network's wireless performance and actually interfere with and slow your transmissions.

Dual-band networking offer users to connect to the wireless network via the supposedly "cleaner" 5GHz band, resulting in a better wireless experience.

The TEW-673GR is Wi-Fi certified, meaning it supports interoperability with other wireless products and backward compatibility with legacy wireless standards.

According to Trendnet, the TEW-673GR uses about thirty percent less power than the previous generation. A unique wireless on/off switch offers additional energy savings and security by turning off the wireless signal when it is not in use. The router also supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup that allows for easily adding wireless clients to the network without having to manually enter the encryption key.

The TEW-673GR will be available shortly with the estimated price of $175.

The all new true dual-band wireless router WNDR3700 at CES 2009.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET Networks.)

I reviewed the Netgear WNDR3300 wireless router a while ago and complained that it wasn't a true dual-band router, citing that it was only able to offer Draft N performance in one band at a time. Now at CES 2009, Netgear makes up for that with its all new successor called RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router WNDR3700.

Netgear hopes to make the WNDR3700 the ultimate in wireless routers for both home and small business environments. Like all true dual-band wireless routers, such as the D-Link DIR-825 or the Linksys WRT610N, the WNDR3700 features separate Wireless-N access points that can operate concurrently. This means both 5Ghz-based and 2.4Ghz-based wireless-N clients can get connected to the router at the same time.

The router also supports Gigabit Ethernet with all of its ports (4 LAN and one WAN) being able to handle bandwidth up to 1000Mbps. Like the Linksys WRT610N, the WNDR3700 supports external storage via its USB port. Coupled with an external hard drive, the router offers network storage functionality to all computers in the network.

Other than that, the rest of the router's features include:

• Powered by a 680 MHz MIPS processor, efficient power amplifiers and eight ultrasensitive antennas--promising some of the highest speeds and most reliable coverage.
• Advanced QoS with automatic traffic shaping ensures lagfree gaming, solid VoIP call connections, and jitter-free HD streaming.
• New Smart Wizard installation process, featuring a multilanguage graphical user interface
• Simplifies security setup with a "Push 'N' Connect" button that seamlessly connects wireless clients based on WPS
• Provides double firewall to protect the network from external hacker attacks
• Supports multiple SSID feature for guest access
• Configurable as a wireless repeater

The new Netgear WNDR3700 will be available in the first quarter of 2009 and is estimated to cost $179.