bgrier
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This post will wrap up my three-part series the latest offerings from Cisco / Linksys. If you want to check them out, part one looks at the Linksys EA2700, part two looks at the Linksys EA3500, and today we'll take a boo at the Linksys EA4500, the top of the line entry in the EA-Series.
It's the same, with one major difference
The Linksys EA4500 is essentially the same unit as the EA3500, with one big difference; this router is Dual Band at 450 + 450 Mbps. That improvement, and a few other tweaks, allows the EA4500 to be DLNA Certified -- which means that it's an awesome router to drive the backbone of your multimedia and gaming network.
But does it work?
Using the same setup software as the previous entries, the EA4700 was also a dream to configure and add to my network.
An added bonus to both the EA3500 and the EA4500 is the inclusion of a USB port for an external drive or printer. On the EA4500, When you combine the USB port with the DLNA Media Server certification, you get an inexpensive home media server.
Basically it means that you can just plug in any USB drive containing your media, and your DLNA enabled computer, TV or Set Top Box will automatically be able to find and view that content.
And it worked without a hitch. I was able to stream video from a USB thumb drive through the router to my DLNA TV and didn't have any network issues I could see.
Overall?
Depending on your need, I'd easily recommend any of these three routers for almost any home networking situation.
I've included the handy product comparison chart below. It'll easily let you look at the three unit's I've evaluated to compare and contrast the differences.
And if you want more information, Cisco / Linksys have produced a combined product manual pdf for all three -- which you can check out here.
I found their setup and installation among the easiest I've encountered over the many (far too many) router installations I've done. When I need to replace or extend my existing home network, you can bet I'll be looking at these units first.
The Linksys EA2700 can equip your home with a powerful, high-speed wireless network that's ideal for creating Internet access for your devices, sharing files between computers, and online gaming. This wireless network is great for standard-sized homes and apartments, utilizing dual-band technology and a MIMO antenna array to provide fast speeds and extended range.
In an increasingly connected world, where we access the internet from so many different devices, having a solid wireless network is a must. The Linksys EA3500 router ensures fast speeds that can handle the bandwidth of multiple devices, streaming HD video, and even connecting a storage device via USB. It comes complete with Gigabit Ethernet ports for ultra-fast connected performance.
If you want a maximum performance, high-speed wireless home network, then this router is for you. The Linksys EA4500 provides best-in-class speed and wireless performance, making it ideal for HD video streaming and online gaming, even in larger, multi-room homes. It's also great for connecting multiple devices, like TVs, Blu-ray players, and game consoles.
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