Linksys E2500 Advanced Simultaneous Price Review

The Linksys E2500 offers superior wireless speed, best range, and concurrent dual band technology, plus a next generation industrial design
(see bigger image)

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars Great Improvement over previous Linksys N, April 15, 2011
By josh u (south florida) See all my reviews This review is from: Linksys E2500 Advanced concurrent Dual Band Wireless N Router (Electronics) Setting up this router using the included software (Cisco Connect) was a breeze. Inside 20 minutes, I installed Cisco Connect, named my network, set my password, secured my network and connected my desktop (hardwired), wireless laptop and bluray player. Setup was a breeze.

The E2500 replaces my Refurbished Linksys WRT160N, which stopped working less than a year after I bought it. That was hard to use from the start(btw, dd wrt did not fix the problem).

The E2500 is lightening fast. I tested streaming video and it worked great wirelessly on my laptop and bluray player all over my house. I recommend using the Easy Setup Key via Cisco Connect to connect a laptop, it was a breeze to use. You may be able to have a Guest Network that has a separate password and does not let guests access to certain files on the network. This is easy to setup via Cisco Connect and easy to turn off or on. Using Cisco Connect can replace going to the web based router setup browser page for all of the basic setup needs and more.

The unit runs hot, but dint burn a whole in surface its on. There aren’t lights on the face of the router like previous model designs. The E2500 looks much sleeker.

So the router is FAST, was EASY TO INSTALL and I had three devices CONNECTED inside 20 MINUTES.

---

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars Excellent Choice, April 22, 2011
By David See all my reviews () This review is from: Linksys E2500 Advanced concurrent Dual Band Wireless N Router (Electronics) Let me begin by pointing out that I just bought this yesterday, so I can not comment on the long term dependability of this router. That being said, I had to post a review given that I am pleased with the procedure far. I will update this as time progresses.

This router was a substitute for my old WRT54G that served me well for about four years, but acted up (dropping signal, slow connections, low range, etc). So I decided to buy this model (E2500 as a replacement).

The whole time before this new router arrived I dreaded the prospect of setting it up given my experience with my old WRT54G router. Once it arrived, I followed the information in the packaging , then put the CD into my macbook to launch the installer. The installer itself simply involved pressing some buttons , then it did the rest! My network was up and running in about five minutes with the installer doing all the work for me.

What I did notice was that the installer produced a guest account that was not protected like the major one. This worried me, so I logged in to the advanced settings using the router’s IP address at 192.168.1.1 using my browser (you should preferably use the computer you used to setup the network because it is already connected to the network). I think the default is to leave the login name blank and to use your default network password as your login password. Once I was inside, I disabled the guest account, but it turned out that there was a password in place it is just that it is browser based seemingly (your guests will be able to login to the network itself, but will only be able to access the internet by typing in the password in the browser). If you want to leave the guest access available, simply write down the default password that shows up on screen or setup a new one. I also changed the default password used to login to my router in here also (under the “administration tab”). To clarify, the 192.168.1.1 address brings up a menu where you may be able to change your router’s default settings to your liking. I think this was a criticism of the “easy” setup that it does not let you customize your router. I really see this procedure in reverse the “easy” setup configures your router to work properly given your situation. Once it is setup, you may be able to change whatever parts of the setup that you want to. In my case, I only changed the router password, guest access, and my network key.

Once it was setup to my plans, I proceeded to update all of my computers with the new network key. I also connected all my other devices behind the router (there are four slots).

In regards to performance my macbook that was not to get a signal with my old router works perfectly now. That being said, it is a new macbook, so it is able to use the “n” band. My sister has a 2006 white macbook next door that only utilizes G though she’s having no problems either.

Overall, I am happy i made this buy and greatly recommend it to others. I do not own any other n routers, so I can not comment on how much “better” this is relative to others. I can only say that I am happy I made the right choice with this one. I will be sure to update this review should issues with dependability surface.

EDIT: You really do not have to login to the router’s IP address to access the features I mentioned above. You may be able to simply use the “Cisco Connect” software that came with it. The only issue I can think of is that if you use this software, you may be able to only run it through the computer you setup the router with. The IP technique above will work from any computer connected to the network (after logging in with password). The con of the IP technique is that it is not as “user friendly” as the “Cisco Connect” technique. Finally, you may want to weigh the pros and cons yourself and choose which is best for managing your router. I will be picking the “Cisco Connect” technique meanwhile just because it is easier to use, but I will go back to the IP technique should anything happen to my computer (where the Cisco software is installed).

---

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of five stars Nice upgrade from WRT54G2, April 22, 2011
By A. Bloom “AB” (US) See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) () This review is from: Linksys E2500 Advanced concurrent Dual Band Wireless N Router (Electronics) Did broad speed and ping tests certainly faster and more stable with this router. I still lose Mbps through walls in my apartment. With my older WRT54G2 router in same room I could not get alike speeds over wi fi as hardwired, this router does it with ease. Set up was super easy took me less than five min. In general, the router is great for what you pay for, if you have never owned the N model it is an alternative.

Pros:

Speedy, leaves WRT54G2 way behind

Easier Set up interface over last Linksys model

New matte surface, looks nice beside the PS3 slim

No annoying flashing lights

Friendly with Docsis three modem

No unexpected signal drops ( note: need more time to completely evaluate}

Cons:

Speed somewhat degrades through walls not as serious as before with the G model.

---