Netgear has introduced any new wireless n routers since the Ieee beloved the draft version of 802.11n standard. Netgear also redesigns existing routers to comply with the ratified version of 802.11n standard. Currently there are five wireless n dual band routers (one with built-in Dsl modem) which are designed to meet high-performance class routers for fastest downloads, smooth gaming and good streaming video. They are Wndr3300 dual band router; Wndr3400 N600 dual-band router; Dgnd3300 wireless n Dsl router; Wndr3700 wireless gigabit router; and Wndr37Av wireless router for gaming and video. Wndr37Av is believed for hereafter exchange for Wndr3700 router.
3700 and 37Av routers are approximately similar except that 37Av supports Windows 7, Live parental control, and Dlna compliant. Dgnd3300 is designed with built-in Adsl modem - a singular solution for home wireless network environment. Now let's have a look the comparison between the three routers 3300, 3400, and 37Av.
Wireless Standards
All the three wireless routers are designed with simultaneous wireless -n dual-band to work with both 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz frequency bands. All routers are compliant with wireless a/b/g/n devices. With dual-band, the law provides double bandwidth for faster speed.
Lan / Wan Interface
All the three wireless routers are embedded with 4xRj-45 Lan port and 1x Wan Ethernet port but only 37Av router is embedded with Gigabit ports for both Lan and Wan interfaces. All ports are Ethernet with auto-sensing, means the port can detect the network cable whether cross or straight-through type and can adjust the signal automatically to match the cable type accordingly. You don't need to worry in selecting the cable type; both cross and straight-through cable can work.
Usb Port
Both 37Av and 3400 routers are embedded with the Usb port which can be used as the warehouse server. Netgear with ReadyShare technology provides fast and easy shared passage to an external Usb warehouse device. 37Av features a Dlna (Digital Living Network Alliance) Media Server allows you stream video and music from a Usb drive to media players, Dlna Tvs, and any other Dlna compliant devices without the need to turn on the Pc.
Wndr3300 wireless router does not comprise the Usb port. This is one of the con sides of this router compared to other Wndr37Av and Wndr3400 routers.
The disadvantage of the three routers regarding the Usb port is that they do not withhold the Usb Printer for sharing. If you need the routers that withhold Usb printer for sharing, you can reconsider the new Belkin along with Share, Play, and Max Play wireless routers. Or you can reconsider the Tew-673Gru wireless router by Trendnet. Tew-673Gru is an all-in-one solution for wireless router, storage, and print server.
Advanced Security
All the 3300, 3400, and 37Av routers withhold the newest wireless encryption Wi-Fi Protected passage (Wpa/Wpa2 - Psk) and Wep (Wired Equivalent Protection) for connecting to legacy wireless clients. For network protection, Nat & Spi firewall and Vpn pass-through for gather tunneling are also included.
The 'free live parental control' and 'guest access' are the confident safety features for 3400 and 37Av compared to 3300. 3300 doesn't withhold the guest passage and free live parental control. With guest access, you can create specific Ssid for guest isolate from your inexpressive network. With live parental control, you can block bad sites for your kids and you can administrate remotely from anywhere.
System Requirement
All the routers withhold Microsoft Windows Vista, Xp, 2000, Mac Os, Unix, or Linux. Wndr3400 and Wndr37Av also withhold Windows 7, but Wndr3300 does not. Other requirements are the same.
Netgear Green Technology
Except 3300, both Wndr3400 and 37Av withhold Netgear Green technology. With green technology, the routers are designed with eco-friendly to help conserve the power along with power/wireless on/off buttons, 80% recycled packaging, power star compliant power adapter etc.
Both the prices of Wndr3300 and 3400 are under currently, but for 37Av currently the price is colse to 0. Now which one do you need for your home wireless environment? Unless you need high-performance environment for video streaming and gaming more enjoyable and you also need Gigabit for fastest wired connection, you can reconsider Wndr3400 which is colse to 70% economy than 37Av. Otherwise, reconsider 37Av wireless n dual-band router.
By Ki Grinsing