Netgear Smart WiFi AC1200 router review

The Smart WiFi AC1200 is a versatile router that offers more than basic functionality. It has advanced features and capabilities. It provides a reliable, fast network for homes and offices. You can connect supported USB devices to the router. Netgear is a well-established brand and has a significant market presence globally.

Netgear Smart WiFi AC1200 specifications

Body

The dimensions and design of a router can impact its cooling capabilities. Routers with larger dimensions may have more space for internal cooling mechanisms. The weight of router is not typically a critical factor for most home or office setups.

System

The Netgear Smart WiFi AC1200 router has a MediaTek MT7621ST @ 880 MHz processor. You cannot expand the router's memory (128 MB). When choosing a router, it is important to consider the RAM specifications. A larger flash memory allows for more space to store configuration backups. Netgear often releases firmware updates. They improve the router's features, security, and bugs. They also add new features. The 12 V / 1.5 A PSU provides power to the router. If it breaks, you can replace it with a new one.

Network

The router supports many networking standards. It ensures compatibility with different devices and systems. The IPv4 is the fourth iteration of the Internet Protocol (IP). It is the most widely used version of IP on the internet today. The latest firmware supports IPv6. It provides a system to identify and locate computers on networks. The router has Gigabit Ethernet ports. They allow for faster communication between devices on your local network.

A Gigabit WAN port is helpful. It is useful when your internet plan supports high speeds. OpenVPN is popular for VPNs. This is because it is strong, flexible, and works on many devices.

Wireless

This router has 2 x 3 dBi antennas. Antennas are key parts of wireless routers. They send and receive radio signals to make wireless connections. The 2.4 GHz band is widely supported by many devices. This includes older ones that may not work with the 5 GHz band. The 5 GHz band is less crowded. This leads to less interference and a clearer wireless signal. The Smart WiFi AC1200 router is 5 GHz capable.

This Wi-Fi router supports multiple spatial streams, typically up to 4 streams. The top speed, 300 + 867 Mbps, is the highest data rate the router can reach. It's the theoretical limit in perfect conditions. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security.

Connectivity

The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). USB print servers let you connect a USB printer to your network. This makes it accessible to many devices. You can connect external storage devices such as USB flash drives or USB hard drives to your router.

Administration

Changing the password often is a good security practice. It protects your network and devices from unauthorized access. Changing the default password improves your router's security. It reduces the risk of unauthorized individuals controlling your network.

Pros and Cons

Every router, including this Netgear one, has its good sides and not-so-good sides. Let's take a closer look at both to get a full understanding of what this router can do. We'll talk about what it does well and also where it could use some improvements. Just remember, this is just what I think, and you might see things differently.

Netgear Smart WiFi AC1200 photos

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Robert Miller

For over 15 years, I've immersed myself in the world of networking devices as a tech aficionado. I've dedicated myself to thoroughly testing and analyzing routers and other networking gear. I aim to provide thorough reviews. They will give you the knowledge needed to improve your network.