TMCnet News

New Linksys Wireless Range Extenders Boost Wi-Fi Signal up to 10,000 Sq. Ft. and Help Eliminate Dead Spots
[July 17, 2014]

New Linksys Wireless Range Extenders Boost Wi-Fi Signal up to 10,000 Sq. Ft. and Help Eliminate Dead Spots


IRVINE, Calif. --(Business Wire)--

Linksys®, a leading brand in wireless networking, today announced its new lineup of Linksys Wi-Fi Range Extenders. Consumers often experience a weak wireless signal in some parts of their house or apartment caused by blocking elements such as walls or interference from other devices like baby monitors, microwaves or DECT phones. The new Linksys (News - Alert) Range Extenders help maximize wireless coverage and help eliminate "dead spots" in the Wi-Fi coverage throughout the home.

Linksys AC1200 MAX Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE6500) (Photo: Business Wire)

Linksys AC1200 MAX Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE6500) (Photo: Business Wire)

Consumers can choose between three new powerful versions - Linksys AC1200 MAX Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE6500), Linksys N600 PRO Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE4000W) and the Linksys N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE3000W). The RE6500 and RE4000W are dual band range extenders featuring Cross-Band technology which helps provide a stronger and more consistent signal throughout the home. All three range extenders are compatible with any wireless router and are designed to extend b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi signals, whether supplied by a broadband provider or purchased by the consumer.

Strategy Analytics (News - Alert), an industry research firm recently reported that Wi-Fi is already being built into sixty-eight percent of all consumer electronics devices sold in the U.S. "That is a lot of devices in the home that need a good reliable signal to perform," said Mike Chen, vice president product management for Linksys. "Consumers are depending on their Wi-Fi signal for their smart phones to avoid burning through valuable minutes on their data plan, or for streaming to TV or tablets in all areas of the home. A stable and strong Wi-Fi signal is critical for connecting the devices in your home today and the devices users are sure to bring into their home in the coming years, a good range extender can help future proof their home as those devices are added as well as provide a rich media experience."

Linksys AC1200 MAX Wi-Fi Range Extender - RE6500

Linksys AC1200 MAX Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE6500) helps eliminate Wi-Fi dead spots throughout the home by increasing the wireless signal from an existing Wireless-AC router. With up to 10,000 Sq. Ft. of coverage, the RE6500 also comes equipped with Cross-Band technology, which enables the Wi-Fi signal to simultaneously receive data on one band and transmit on another. The result is a stronger, more consistent signal throughout your home. With four Gigabit Ethernet ports, users can hardwire their devices for faster streaming and gaming. Music fans can connect a stereo system or audio speaker to the RE6500 and stream music from a smart device or computer. The Wi-Fi range extender is designed for flexible placement options so users can enjoy all their devices, from anywhere in their home.

Key Features:

  • Next-Generation Wireless-AC Technology featuring simultaneous dual-band speeds up to N300 Mbps (2.4 GHz) + AC867 Mbps (5 GHz) to reduce traffic and maximize data
  • Cross-Band Technology maximizes the simultaneous use of both bands for faster data transfer speeds
  • Audio Streaming Capability - Connect a stereo system or audio speakers to the AC1200 MAX to wirelessly stream music from a smart device or computer
  • 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports extend the range of four wired devices to ensure uninterrupted media streaming and fast data transfer
  • Detachable External Antennas that can be adjusted to provide the best coverage
  • Universal Compatibility Wireless-AC technology is compatible with all a/b/g/n devices
  • Works with any router or gateway including routers supplied by service provider
  • Easy Setup - Simple installation requires no CD

Linksys N600 PRO Wi-Fi Range Extender - RE4000W

The Linksys N600 PRO Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE4000W) helps eliminate Wi-Fi dead spots throughout the home by increasing the wireless signal of an existing router. RE4000W extends the wireless coverage up to 7,500 Sq. Ft. and features Cross-Band technology allowing the Wi-Fi signal to receive information on one band and transmit on another. The result is a stronger, more consistent signal throughout your home. Two Fast Ethernet ports provide hardwire connectivity for digital devices allowing users to experience faster streaming and gaming. The RE4000W Wi-Fi Range Extender can be plugged directly into a wall outlet and setup is simple and fast.

Linksys N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender - RE3000W

Linksys N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE3000W) helps eliminate Wi-Fi dead spots in the home or apartment by increasing the 2.4 Ghz wireless signal of an existing router. With up to 5,000 Sq. Ft. of additional coverage, the RE3000W offers N300 Mbps speeds, which makes it great for surfing the web and basic online uses. The RE3000W Wi-Fi Range Extender can be plugged directly into a wall outlet and can be easily connected to provide Wireless N300 signal to user's digital devices in their home.

The chart below helps provide an at-glance look at how the new Linksys Range Extenders stack up and which one would be ideal for a user's home experience. A Range Extender white paper can be downloaded here: www.linksys.com/RangeExtenders which provides more info on what range extenders are and how to choose the right one.





                   
Features     RE3000W     RE4000W     RE6500
Wireless Speed     N300     N600     AC1200
Extended Reach     Up to 5,000 Sq. Feet*     Up to 7,500 Sq. Feet*     Up to 10,000 Sq. Feet*
Wireless Band    

Single Band (2.4 GHz)

   

Simultaneous Dual Band

2.4 GHz + 5 GHz

   

Simultaneous Dual Band

2.4 GHz + 5 GHz

CrossBand     -     Yes     Yes
Plug-in or Desktop     Plug-In     Plug-In     Desktop
Wireless Audio     -     -     Yes
Wired Ports     1 Ethernet     2 Ethernet     4 Gigabit
Bridge     Yes     Yes     Yes
MSRP Price     $59.99     $79.99     $99.99
           

Pricing and Availability

The RE6500 will be available starting July 20, 2014 at major retail and online resellers for an MSRP of $99.99. The RE3000W and RE4000W are immediately available for an MSRP of $79.99 and $59.99 respectively.

About Linksys

The Linksys brand has pioneered wireless connectivity since its inception in 1988 with its leading innovation and engineering strategies, and best-in-class technology, design, and customer service. Linksys enables a connected lifestyle for people at home, at work and on the move, and with its award-winning products, simplifies home control, entertainment, security and Internet access through innovative features and a growing application and partner ecosystem. For more information, visit linksys.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or watch us on YouTube.

*Maximum performance derived from IEEE (News - Alert) Standard 802.11 specification. Actual performance can vary, including lower wireless network capacity, data throughput rate, range and coverage. Performance depends on many factors, conditions and variables, including distance from the access point, volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, operating system used, mix of wireless products used, interference and other adverse conditions.

Range specifications are based on performance test results under normal use case conditions. Actual ranges will increase or decrease depending on wireless obstructions, operating environments and building material. Wireless coverage claims are used only as reference and are not guaranteed, as each wireless network is unique.

BELKIN, LINKSYS and many product names and logos are trademarks of Belkin International. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.


[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]