Ok, got my new Netgear DG834PN RangeMax ADSL modem/Wifi router from Amazon so time for the initial impressions:
- it's fast. Faster than my old belkin and dlink di624. The web based setup feels fast, the pages come up promptly.
- easy to set up: running in 10 minutes or so. It set up the adsl itself, given the login details.
- connecting to it from my laptop and internet is nice and snappy, better than I am used to. It says I am getting 5M downloads but delays seem shorter, pages come up quicker.
- it seems to be maintaining a good solid connection despite five neighbouring wifi networks grappling for airspace. It was because of the local competition that I wanted a powerful Mimo wifi router: the mimo thing means it has six internal antennae (no external ones) and it dynamically chooses the best one, giving optimal reception. That's the theory and who am I to dispute it?
- it has a round domed window on top with a circle of blue leds around it flickering away, giving a plasma type effect. When you first see it you wonder if there are loose connections. Thoughtfully you can turn this off or set it on a time schedule so it's off if you have it in your bedroom and are trying to sleep (not a problem for me so I'll let it rip).
So far: happy. Be assured, if I find something to moan about you will be first to know.
UPDATE: couple of days later and:
- It works fine with Dell Axim X51v which is a B not a G.
- My dell D410 laptop seems to connect much quicker than before.
Peter's Moblog
