ASUS rolls out RT-N16 wireless router

It's not a dual-band router, but it looks like ASUS has just about all the other bases covered with its new RT-N16 model. Apparently "engineered for the future" (too bad, present), this one naturally packs full 802.11n capabilities, along with a "powerful CPU" and 128MB of memory to help it eek out every last bit of bandwidth, and both four LAN ports and a pair of USB ports to accomodate your non-wireless devices. Otherwise, you can expect to get ASUS' own EZ UI, which promises quick and easy setups and customization, and all the the usual basic security measures you'd expect, including support for WPS. No word on a price just yet, but it looks like this one should be rolling out soon, if it hasn't hit stores already.

[we need thneeds @ Jun 30th 2009 1:16PM]

Nice. Clean, simple design too. Anyone know if there's anyway to make these just as efficient without antennae sticking out though? Thatwouldbesweeeeet

[AndrewNoNumbers @ Jun 30th 2009 1:23PM]

All of Linksys' current-gen routers have internal MIMO but I don't think it's been tested if they have reduced signal.
http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/Routers

[Greg @ Jun 30th 2009 2:48PM]

Internal antenna Linksys routers work just as well, if not better for me.

[Zion @ Jun 30th 2009 1:18PM]

Finally a router with more than just one USB... Printer/Drobo combo would be nice without having to have them hooked up to a laptop or desktop.

[iofthestorm @ Jun 30th 2009 2:14PM]

I think with DD-WRT you can just use a USB hub, although personally I haven't been able to get DD-WRT to work as a print server for my Asus WL-520gU, which is a cheap 802.11g router with a USB port and Linux based. I'm kind of amazed that this one has 128MB of RAM, since my piddly little router only has 16MB, but I'm sure they charge a ton for this, and for the N too.

[tonka @ Jul 1st 2009 10:12AM]

@iofthestorm : Tomato works well with the WL-520gu as a print server. http://www.society9.com/an-easy-guide-to-installing-tomato-on-the-asus-520gu/

[AndrewNoNumbers @ Jun 30th 2009 1:20PM]

Would be a nice router if it's under $150 and DD-WRT comaptible.

[neoufo51 @ Jun 30th 2009 1:25PM]

This is indeed Linux-based and the DD-WRT/Tomato people are already buzzing about it.

[Dave @ Jun 30th 2009 1:27PM]

Has 802.11n been ratified yet? Or are all these devices still labeled "draft"?

[ash chapman @ Jun 30th 2009 1:28PM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/802.11n

Expected in November.

[Tempest @ Jun 30th 2009 2:32PM]

I don't think 802.11n is due to be ratified until October/November. Last I heard they were on draft 9 or 10 of the standard.

[marmot_egg @ Jun 30th 2009 1:36PM]

But can it pick up signals being transmitted from distant galaxies?

[Rhino @ Jun 30th 2009 1:40PM]

Check the specs. This thing even does not support 5GHz.
Alright, 2.4GHz is better in going through the walls but all of you are already in a saturated 2.4GHz environment right?
So... for $150 I would pick some other platform that works with x86 edition dd-wrt or something else.

[AndrewNoNumbers @ Jun 30th 2009 2:13PM]

That's why the first 5 words in the post were "it's not a dual-band router".

[RyanTV @ Jun 30th 2009 1:44PM]

yah sorry, at this point they need to be pushing dual band models. After the article Nilay did here on Dual Band I made the switch and wouldn't go back!

[ash chapman @ Jun 30th 2009 2:14PM]

I don't see why anyone would have any interest in this router when dual-band models support DD-WRT are already out and about.

[robotrock @ Jun 30th 2009 1:54PM]

The phrase is "eke out" not "eek out." EEK! is what you say when you see a mouse.

[Librarian @ Jun 30th 2009 1:59PM]

Shouldn't a journalist know the difference between "eek" (as in, "eek, I saw a mouse!") and "eke"? Let me help you: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/eke
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Eke
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eke%5B2%5D

Otherwise a fairly standard-looking router.

[Rob P @ Jun 30th 2009 3:24PM]

you beat me to it

[Major4Play @ Jun 30th 2009 7:07PM]

Journalist ? Engadget ? LOL

[teststrips @ Jun 30th 2009 2:07PM]

I'll be watching this one for pricing and availability - wasn't on newegg or amazon yet.

[Cyclone @ Jun 30th 2009 2:34PM]

Made above post before Ash Chapman replied; only confirmed comment now.

[idiscuss @ Jun 30th 2009 6:00PM]

Thanks, Asus, but I am very happy with my D-link.

[pit @ Jun 30th 2009 6:55PM]

pictures and more info on the oleg firmware forum
http://wl500g.info/showthread.php?t=19629&highlight=RT-N16

RT-N16
* Highest performance CPU at 533MHz.
* Largest 128Mbytes DDR2 memory.
* Latest use low power 65nm CMOS process.
* Support up to 300,000 sessions for perfect P2P download.
* Most widespread application with USB2.0
* Solid Wireless performance.
* Support NTFS read/write

Specifications

* Standard: IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
* Antenna: 3 x external antenna
* USB port: 2 x USB2.0
* Operating Frequency: 2.4GHz ~ 2.5GHz
* WAN Connection Types:
o Static IP, Dynamic IP,
o PPTP, PPPoE, L2TP,
o PPTP with MPPE,
o Dual-Link (L2TP & Static IP),
o Multi-Session PPPoE
* Firewall & Access Control:
o NAT Firewall, Domain Access Control,
o SPI (Stateful Package Inspection) Firewall,
o DoS Detection, WAN ping control,
o Single Port and Port Range filter,
o URL based filter, MAC Address filter,
o Inbound/Outbound IP Filter, Web Filter:
o (ActiveX, Cookie, Java, Web Proxy)

RT-N17
storage router, with podcatcher


RT-N16ROG
republic of gamers black version, probably overclocked

CPU broadcom bcm4716 532 Mhz
http://www.broadcom.com/collateral/pb/4716_4717_4718-PB03-R.pdf