Except no one client can get that performance, and even if it was possible to bond the tri-band (2.4GHz and two 5GHz channels) solution used here into a single data stream using a device that could aggregate them, the router only has 1Gbit LAN ports.Ī good proportion of the total bandwidth can only be used if WiFi devices are communicating across the router, and not to the Internet or LAN connected devices. The router and satellite are rated for AX4200 MU-MIMO, inferring that it is capable of 4.2Gbps of wireless speed. We’ve talked about the reality stretching nature of wireless specs in many of our reviews, but if you didn’t catch those previously here, we go once again. The new Netgear Orbi application is used to configure the router and satellites (Image credit: Mark Pickavance) Performance The Orbi application is an effective tool for getting the hardware operational, but we could have done without the blatant marketing opportunities at every turn. It always amuses us that a hardware maker like Netgear gets its customers to install an application that then does a ‘security check’ that advises, entirely coincidentally, that you spend more with that company. Alongside that, Netgear has a premium parental control solution for those that like to throw money at their parental responsibilities for another $69.99 (£49.95) per annum. Of these, the subscription being pushed the hardest is a security solution, Netgear Armor, that, after a free trial period, costs $99.99 a year. While this does guide a new owner through the setup process effectively, it is also a means to try and sell you Netgear subscription services. Netgear switched a while ago to use a mobile application to configure their wireless products, available for both Apple and Android phones. Most routers come with four LAN ports, and we’ve even seen designs with eight or 2.5GbE for greater backbone bandwidth, but Netgear has chosen to go in the opposite direction here. That’s not great, but with only two LAN ports on the RBS750 Satellite, one that might be used to wire it back to the NBR750 and the other needed to chain another RBS750 potentially, you might end up with none free. With only two on the NBR750 router and only one spare if you want to use a wired backchannel to the satellite, owners might have to buy an extra switch to breakout the wired network to more than one device. The limited number of Ethernet LAN ports is a concern. These antennas aren’t expensive, but they’re not an accessory that Netgear sells. Netgear tells us that the unit will work without them, and only those with connection issues need to invest further. The rear of the NBR750 router has three Ethernet ports, one allocated to a WAN broadband connection, two SMA LTE antenna connectors and a Nano-SIM slot for a mobile SIM card.Īmazingly, no SMA LTE antenna are provided at all. That these are so close in spec and even have the same barrel connector, and yet completely different tooling was made to make each strongly hints at a missed commonality for the Netgear engineers designing these. We noted that the PSU for the router is a different design than the one for the satellite, and the router PSU outputs 42W versus 30W on the smaller PSU. In the box, you get the two components, power supplies for each and a single LAN cable, along with some cursory documentation. The RBS750 satellite is slightly slimmer than the router, measuring 231 x 183 x 71mm and a svelte 861g. However, unlike the business-orientated Orbi lines, this product has no wall mountings in the box, although you can buy these at additional cost. Weighing a hefty 1247g and measuring 246 x 196 x 86 mm, we’d be concerned if this was mounted on a wall and fell on us. Our recent review of the Orbi Mini gave us hope that these devices were getting smaller, a promise that was dashed by the NBK752 as it’s the NBR750 router part is the biggest Orbi component we’ve encountered so far. Sadly, you can’t put flowers in these, and for the best performance, they need to be in full view. The Orbi line has from the outset projected this curved persona that makes the components look like vases rather than electronics. (Image credit: Mark Pickavance) Design and features
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |