Hands-on with the Netgear HD/Gaming 5GHz Wireless-N Networking Kit

If you've been waiting for the high-bandwidth routing solution of your dreams, perhaps Netgear's new offering will fit the bill. We have to say we were fairly impressed with its rock-solid management of multiple streams, and we're pretty excited about the push for the 5GHz band. Up close, the router isn't something you'd need to tuck behind a curtain, either. Check the gallery for a closer look at the little monster.

Gallery: Hands-on with the Netgear HD/Gaming 5GHz Wireless-N Networking Kit

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[Bentley @ Jan 6th 2008 1:41PM]

a high speed wireless router without the (highest speed) routing basics- ethernet ports.
I think netgear forgot why they're making this particular device...

honestly, who actually uses a wireless router without at least *ONE* pc near the hard-line? Usually their primary one?

[JohnTitor @ Jan 6th 2008 1:47PM]

not me, but I do need one Ethernet port for my MG-35 to do NDAS, plus I have printer connected through USB (it's an ASUS router with print server built-in)

[Ubercharged @ Jan 6th 2008 1:53PM]

i agree, my house is CAT5 wired so i need at least 4 ethernet ports for all the computers that use it

[iofthestorm @ Jan 6th 2008 2:12PM]

Huh? In the 2nd picture, I definitely see 2 ethernet ports. Now, if you're talking about gigabit ethernet, you might have a point but I don't see anything about what type of ethernet ports those are.

[shane @ Jan 6th 2008 2:34PM]

I've always thought the additional ports on wireless routers superflouos. I can't imagine too many situations where the ideal place for wireless broadcasting also the place where you want a nest of ethernet cabling to terminate. I live in a pretty standard two-story home and try to keep the wireless router as close to the center of the home as possible. This puts it on the main floor where I don't have a single permanently desked machine. I have a single hardline run to the switches in a basement closet where all of my wiring terminates (also typical). When I first moved in I did make do with placing the router down there but it became quickly obvious that broadcasting my wireless from the most remote, concrete-fortified corner of the house was not ideal. And I don't think my wife would be too keen on my rewiring the house to have everything terminate in the nook on the main floor where the router sits.

[steve @ Jan 7th 2008 8:54PM]

@shane
I tend to put the router next to my NAS's. I'd rather use ethernet for NAS for performance. There are few wi-fi NAS's of reasonable price

[Jake @ Jan 6th 2008 2:13PM]

It would be neat if they'd add an OLED display showing how many devices are (wirelessly) attached to the router. Something this pretty should have some "wow"s for extra umph.

[Jman @ Jan 6th 2008 4:00PM]

MY APPLE AIRPORT EXTREME IS SET TO 5GHZ 802.11N RIGHT NOW. This is nothing new. Just from a different company.