Netgear N900

I just went to Best Buy tonight and purchased a Netgear N900 to replace my Dlink DIR 655. I think I've finally found a worthy replacement after trying a couple other routers that I ended up returning. It seemed like every time I bought a new router, it didn't really do anything for me so I always wen't back to the trusty old DIR 655. The routers I previously tried and didn't like consist of a Linksys E4200 and a Dlink DIR-827. The Linksys had a weak 5G signal and both bands could never get me a Ping under 15ms on Pingtest.net when my old DIR-655 could constantly get me 5ms. The D-Link had to be unplugged numerous times a week, both bands couldn't provide me with the coverage I was used to with the 655 and just like the Linksys, this router couldn't get me the 5ms pings I was used to.

When it comes to the N900, both bands on this thing almost doubled the distance I was getting with the 655. Before, it would take me about 10 minutes to transfer a 3gb file to my NAS but now, it is only taking 1 minute. I've only had it for 5 hours so I haven't really found any flaws yet. Hopefully, I don't have to constantly unplug and reset this router because it performs great. The N900 is also the first router I've tried since the 655 that gave me pings of 5ms. It also looks very nice sitting next to the TV in the living room. Nice black classy look. Hopefully don't find any flaws in the next week or two because this router really performs.

If anyone else uses or has used this router, could you let me know if you like it or if you don't like it and why. Being how I bought it at Best Buy, I have 15 days to return it with no questions asked. If you think there is something better available then by all means, please let me know. I'll take a look at it. From what I read so far though is that the N900 is currently one of the best routers on the market.

 

I just bought an n600. I feel kinda' stupid given your above review lol. I cannot help you out, I'm just going off of a lot of amazon/newegg reviews.

 

It would be more helpful if you guys used model numbers rather than marketing gibberish. As for N900 it's easy-there's only one on sale now (it will change though) but N600 means only "dual band 300mbps on each band". There are at least three routers like that not counting versions of each.

Besides you're lending credibility to Netgear's (other manufacturers started using that trick too) N900 suggests 900mbps throughput were in reality you can't get 900 on one wireless client.
Summing up theoretical throughput is like summing up horse power for several cars- technically it's there but you can use either one or the other so in reality it's not there.

So we're talking WNDR4500 as N900 but what's the N600?

 

I always thought the number in the name on dual band routers came from both bands added together (ie. 450 + 450 = 900). I'd rather not discuss marketing rubbish as I am only concerned with the actual performance of the router and not what marketing technique it's manufacturer uses to pry the cash out of peoples pockets who don't bother researching. I am willing to bet however, most people who are buying high end dual band routers actually know the number is coming from each band being capable of 450mbps. Most consumers who don't bother doing a little research are usually the ones walking into the store and grabbing the first $50 router they see. Lastly, when it comes to referring to the WNDR4500 as the N900, like you said, there is only one N900. I don't see how calling it either name would make a difference other than appeasing those who have a problem with Netgear's naming technique.

Anyway, I would like to get back to the original topic. I am looking for others opinions who have used the N900 (err WNDR4500). I would like to know if they returned it due to problems they were having or if they found a better performer.

 

This guy right here. WNDR3700 (version 1 I believe; we have a v2 at work and it's labeled as such on the router bottom itself)

And I bought this with the idea of dd-wrt functionality in-mind. I could care less about the marketing mumbo jumbo - I looked for reviews on newegg and amazon, and read the crap out of the dd-wrt forums/spec sheets for compatibility.

I hope your WNDR4500 does you well wingate, sorry for hijack again.

 

Nah man, your not Hi-Jackin. I should have said in the OP that I didn't mind hearing from those who had the latest Netgear routers.

Have you had any problems with it like constantly having to reset it due to it dropping connection?

 

I was thinking about getting the N900 but when I found out that even my new dell laptop does not support dual band and not one of my wireless devices support 5 Ghz I decided to stick with my old Netgear WNR3500L which works good.

 

My apologies for the late response. I have yet to take it out of the box.

 

isn't the "dropping connections" fixed in the latest Beta / recently available Offical FW for the n900