There's a new kid in Wi-Fi town, and it's terrorising the
neighbourhood: the Netgear WPNT834 RangeMax 240 wireless router
provides nearly twice the maximum speed of our previous
performance champs. This MIMO-based
device also prevails in several other respects, such as solid
documentation, simple setup, and ample security. Given that it
had so much going for it, we were especially disappointed when
the WPNT834 ultimately failed to fulfill one of MIMO's core
promises -- fast performance at long range. For long-range
performance, the Belkin Pre-N
Router remains the best choice -- but you won't find better
short-range speed than with the Netgear
WPNT834.
Design
The WPNT834 embodies the classic paperback-book size and shape of
older Netgear routers such as the WPN824. Yet
unlike its counterparts, the WPNT834 has three antennas that
screw into its back edge. Each antenna can tilt 90 degrees
backward. In addition, the outer two can rotate 180 degrees, and
the middle antenna 360 degrees, giving you ultimate flexibility
to orient them so as to maximise coverage. Between the antennas
are the typical WAN jack, pinhole reset button and four LAN
jacks. Status lights on the front edge indicate router activity,
including LAN connections and transmission speed. Netgear puts a
handy cheat sheet underneath the router to help identify the
router's exterior features. We wish the company also included
wall-mounting brackets, which would allow you to hang the router
high on a wall where its signal would be less encumbered. The
absence of these brackets means the router must either lie flat
or, if you attach the snap-on feet, stand on its
edge.
Installation
The installation process for the Netgear WPNT834 RangeMax 240
router is no more involved than with most routers. Insert the
bundled CD into your PC's optical drive, and the SmartWizard
walks you through connecting and configuring the device. Once the
process is complete, you can manipulate more features via the
browser-based configuration tool. Highlights include establishing
passkeys via WPA2 security; restricting access to the router by
specific MAC addresses; opening up VPN pass-throughs and a
DMZ port; and erecting a firewall via NAT
and SPI.
Performance
With its Airgo Networks Gen 3 MIMO chip and 240Mbps maximum speed
rating -- more than double the speed of first-generation, 108Mbps
MIMO routers -- the Netgear WPNT834 RangeMax 240 absolutely
annihilated the competition in tests CNET Labs conducted at a 3 metre range. It pushed data
through our maximum-performance trial at a scorching 93.8Mbps,
crushing previous top scores such as the D-Link
DI-624M's 51.1Mbps and the Belkin Wireless
Pre-N's 45.7Mbps. In our mixed-mode test, the Netgear WPNT834
earned a similarly stellar 83.3Mbps compared with the Belkin's
42.1Mbps and the D-Link's 17Mbps. Yet when we increased the
distance to 60 metres for our long-range test, the Netgear
WPNT834 slowed way down, managing only 24.2Mbps
next to the Belkin's 36.4Mbps and the D-Link's 33.3Mbps.
Support
Netgear supports the WPNT834 with a one-year warranty. While this
offering pales in comparison to that offered by Belkin, it is
within the normal limits of Wi-Fi router warranties. Netgear does
a decent job with Web support, providing a dedicated support page
for the WPNT834 that includes links to troubleshooting tips,
how-tos, and other information.
Netgear WPNT834 RangeMax 240
Company: Netgear
Price: AU$339
