PC Magazine - 2009 11.pdf - Libertad Zero

70 OFFice/OS 74 TipSTake advantage ofWindows 7 LibrariesFind Wi-Fi networks onyour iPhone, speed up filedeletion in Vista, and moreAre dual-band routers better thansingle-band routers?N routers come in two flavors—single-bandand dual-band. Single-band routers use the2.4-GHz band, the same frequency usedby G routers. Dual-band N routers support2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands. Even at2.4 GHz, N routers are faster than G routersbecause they make better use of thefrequency range in the band, and they’rebetter at bouncing signals off surroundingsurfaces such as furniture and walls. Switchinga dual-band N router from 2.4 GHz to 5GHz is like trading a Toyota for a Maserati.Some routers can achieve as much as 100Mbps more by switching up. So the answeris an overwhelming yes: Dual-band routers,though generally more expensive, outperformsingle-band (2.4-GHz) routers.What about a simultaneous dual-bandrouter?Simultaneous dual-band N transmission isa recent development used by some manufacturersto simplify switching betweenbands. Routers with this feature, such as theD-Link DIR-825 Xtreme N Dual Band GigabitRouter and the Apple AirPort Extreme BaseStation 802.11n, transmit the N signal simultaneouslyin 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. By usingrECENTLy reviewed: Single-Band RoutersNetgear Range-Max Wireless-NGigabit RouterWNR3500$149 directl l l m mASUS RT-N11 EZ Wireless N Router$65 listl l l h mAlthough the ASUS RT-N11 EZ Wireless N Routerhas an impressive array of business features,it falls a little short on performance.With its repeaterfunctionality, thisdevice might behandy as a secondrouter or a repeaterin a large office.But its mediocrethroughput makesit hard to recommendenthusiasticallyfor home orbusiness use.NOVEMBER 2009 PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION 67