Linksys E-Series Wireless Routers: Gigabit, Dual-Band & More
Cisco has outed its latest range of Linksys E-Series wireless routers and SE-Series switches. The E-Series spans the $59.99 to $179.99 to price points, with the top-end model, the Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router, having both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz radios (supporting simultaneous use), four gigabit ethernet ports, 3x3 MIMO support, six antennas and USB for network storage or printers.
The E3200 and E2500 both support simultaneous 2.4/5.0 GHz use as well, with the E3200 having 2x3 and the E2500 having 2x2 antennas. Only the E3200 gets gigabit ethernet and a USB port; the E2500 makes do with four 10/100 ports. The E1500 and E1200 bring up the rear, finally, with single 2.4GHz support and four 10/100 ethernet. Full specs in the gallery below.
Prices of the switches, meanwhile, range from $29.99 to $74.99. The cheapest is the SE1500, with five 10/100 ports, while the SE2500 has five gigabit ports and the SE2800 has eight gigabit ports. Again, specs in the gallery below. All new models are available from today.
Press Release:
Cisco Announces Next-Generation Linksys Wireless Routers and SwitchesHome Wireless Leader Unveils Sleek New Design with Unmatched Performance for Premium Video, Gaming, and Entertainment Experiences
San Francisco, CA April 5, 2011 – Cisco® today continued its legacy of leadership in home networking with the launch of its new Linksys® E-Series family − a complete suite of powerful and easy-to-use next-generation wireless-n routers and switches. With sales of wireless-enabled products such as tablets and game consoles steadily growing and Internet video usage exploding, consumers are seeking greater performance, reliability and simplicity from their home wireless networks. The new Linksys wireless–n routers and switches, available today, offer a complete range of options that set a new standard for speed, range, and ease-of-use, while also sporting a visually-appealing new design.
The new Linksys E-Series lineup includes five routers, each with the latest technology in home wireless for a multitude of home entertainment experiences. The new routers not only provide the performance needed for today's connected home, but also help to future-proof for new and emerging media technologies that are gaining traction with consumers, such as Internet-enabled TVs and Cisco's ūmi telepresence. Designed with faster speeds (up to 450 Mbps*), other key features for select routers in the line include a 3x3 spatial stream configuration for improved coverage, external power amplifiers to maintain signal strength over a greater distance and reduce dead spots, and virtual USB technology** to connect USB printers, storage and devices to the network. The full line also boasts a new industrial design that combines sleek contours and advanced functionality − recently earning the prestigious 2011 Red Dot Product Design Award for product design, innovation and quality.
"With more than 70 million routers sold, Linksys brings a decade of leadership and innovation to create products that consumers trust for the best wireless quality, performance and experience," said Simon Fleming-Wood, vice president of marketing, Cisco Consumer Products. "Our new Linksys line offers an array of solutions for the needs of today's home networking consumer – from basic Internet surfing to video and music streaming, to gaming."
According to industry research group IDC, only 39% of US homes have wireless, while only 11% are using wireless-n technology. Over the next five years wireless-n adoption is expected to nearly double due to the growth of wireless connected devices such as tablets, smartphones, and Internet-enabled TVs that require the latest wireless technology for optimal performance. (IDC, Worldwide Home Networking 2010-2014 Forecast Update, Doc.# 225479, Nov. 2010)
Cisco Connect Software Enables Easy Setup and Network Management
Each of the Linksys E-series routers include the acclaimed Cisco Connect software that makes it easy for consumers to set up and manage their wireless home network effortlessly. Unlike other wireless products that require 20 to 30 complicated steps to set up a single computer, Cisco Connect takes you through three simple steps from start to finish. The included Cisco Connect software makes it easy to: 1) add additional devices to the network, 2) set parental controls, 3) provide Internet access for guests on a separate guest network and 4) customize personal security settings such as passwords. Advanced users can also configure and manage their routers via the web browser.
The new routers feature the latest version of Cisco Connect, which now includes an Internet Speed Test that can check the bandwidth and speed of a user's Internet connection.
New Switches Enable Easy Network Expansion and Power Saving Modes
The three new Linksys switches enable faster and simpler wired connections. New features include plug and play of Ethernet-enabled devices, Quality of Service (QoS) for traffic prioritization, auto-sensing ports, and power saving features.
Pricing and Availability
There are eight new products in the Linksys family — five routers and three switches. The suggested retail prices for the routers range from $59.99 to $179.99. Prices of the switches range from $29.99 to $74.99. The full line of Linksys routers and switches are available starting today at retailers nationwide or by visiting the Linksys website at www.linksys.com/store.
Linksys SE1500 5-Port Fast Ethernet Switch
• Instantly add up to 5 office and entertainment devices to expand your home network without any configuration required.
o Performance:
• 5 Ethernet ports allow you to connect multiple devices with optimum speed.
• Wired connection speed up to 100 Mbps
• Cable connect detection saves power by automatically powering down any unused ports.
o Features:
• Quality of Service traffic prioritizing technology delivers high performance allowing smooth video streaming and gaming.
• Auto-sensing ports automatically optimize speed for each connected device.
• LED status lights on each port
o Available:
• Starting at all major retail and online etailers on April 5
• $29.99 MSRP.
Linksys SE2500 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch
• Instantly add up to 5 office and entertainment devices such as HDTV's, game consoles, media players, and more with the benefits of Gigabit speeds and without any configuration required.
o Performance:
• 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports allow you to connect multiple devices with improved speed up to 10x faster than standard Ethernet.
• Wired connection speed up to 1000 Mbps
• Cable connect detection saves power by automatically powering down any unused ports.
o Features:
• Auto-sensing ports automatically optimize speed for each connected device.
• LED status lights on each port controlled by port status switch.
• Quality of Service traffic prioritizing technology delivers high performance allowing smooth video streaming and gaming.
• Cable connect detection automatically calibrates the minimum amount of power necessary while maintaining performance according to your cable length.
• Smart Power technology automatically calibrates the minimum amount of power necessary while maintaining performance according to your cable length.
• Cable connect detection saves power by automatically powering down any unused ports or go into sleep mode if all ports are inactive.
o Available:
• Starting at all major retail and online etailers on April 5
• $54.99 MSRP.
Linksys SE2800 Switches 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch
• Instantly add up to 8 office and entertainment devices with the benefits of Gigabit speed to maximize gaming, video streaming, and file and media sharing- all without any configuration required.
o Performance:
• 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports improve speed up to 10x faster than standard Ethernet perfect for quick file and media sharing between Gigabit devices.
• Wired connection speed up to 1000 Mbps
• Cable connect detection saves power by automatically powering down any unused ports.
o Features:
• Auto-sensing ports automatically optimize speed for each connected device.
• LED status lights on each port controlled by port status switch.
• Quality of Service traffic prioritizing technology delivers high performance allowing smooth video streaming and gaming.
• Cable connect detection automatically calibrates the minimum amount of power necessary while maintaining performance according to your cable length.
• Smart Power technology automatically calibrates the minimum amount of power necessary while maintaining performance according to your cable length.
• Cable connect detection saves power by automatically powering down any unused ports or go into sleep mode if all ports are inactive.
o Available:
• Starting at all major retail and online etailers on April 5
• $74.99 MSRP.
Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router
The E4200 is the highest performing router on the market for the home that is ideal for the most intensive and busiest of home networking. The E4200 is ideal for high bandwidth devices such as Internet enabled TV s and game consoles. While also incorporate VoIP devices, smart phones, VoIP devices, multiple computers, e-readers, iPads, portable game stations, and much more. This router is the highest performing and best equipped to handle a home network that does it all.
• E4200 has:
o Performance:
• Dual Band (2.4 and 5.0 GHz)
• Maximum performance up to 300 Mbps* (2.4) and up to 450 Mbps* (5.0)
• Equipped with off-chip High Power amplifiers in 2.4 and 5.0 bands
• 4 Gigabit ports
• 6 antennas for maximum range
• 3X3 internal MIMO special stream configuration on the 5.0 GHz band for ideal performance for streaming HD videos, gaming and voice
o Features:
• Quality of Service for prioritizing bandwidth for movies, voice or music
• UPNP server for adding on storage to serve your internet enabled TVs or media server PCs
• Virtual USB port for easily adding storage and printers
• Supports latest IPV6 protocol via a free firmware download planned for late April.
• New design – winner of 2011 Red Dot Product Design Award
o Software:
• Advanced security: WPA and WPA2 and SPI Firewall
• Cisco Connect software for enabling three step setup, network management tools (parental controls, guest access) plus optional advanced settings.
o Available:
• Starting at all major retail and online etailers on April 5
• $179.99 MSRP.
Linksys E3200 High Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router
The E3200 is a powerful home wireless-n Dual Band router optimized for video, music, and multiplayer gaming.
• E3200 Highlights:
o Performance:
• Dual Band (2.4 and 5.0 GHz)
• Maximum performance up to 300 Mbps* (2.4) and up to 300 Mbps* (5.0 GHz)
• Equipped with off-chip High Power amplifiers in 2.4 and 5.0 bands
• 6 antennas for maximum range
• 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports for quick file sharing
• Virtual USB port for easily adding storage, printers, and other devices
• 2X3 internal MIMO special stream configuration ideal for printing wirelessly, connecting to multiple devices, transferring and downloading large files, and streaming multimedia and gaming.
o Features:
• Dual-band designed to avoid interference and maximize throughput for smoother and faster HD video streaming, file transfers, and wireless gaming.
• Connect computers, internet-ready TV's, game consoles, media players and more to your network.
• Quality of Service traffic prioritizing technology allows for efficient time-sensitive trafficking allowing fast downloads, smooth video and music streaming, gaming, and VoIP.
• Virtual USB port for easily adding storage and printers
• IPV6 Support is planned to be available by fall via free firmware download.
• New design
o Software:
• Advanced security: WPA and WPA2 and SPI Firewall
• Cisco Connect software for enabling three step setup, network management tools (parental controls, guest access) plus optional advanced settings.
o Available:
• Starting at all major retail and online etailers on April 5
• $149.99 MSRP.
Linksys E2500 Advanced Dual-Band Wireless-N Router
The E2500 is a powerful wireless-n Dual-Band router at $99 that is ideal for larger homes and offices and allows you double the capacity for surfing the Internet, streaming multimedia, and running applications simultaneously.
• E2500 has:
o Performance:
• Dual Band (2.4 and 5.0 GHz)
• Maximum performance up to 300 Mbps* (2.4) and up to 300 Mbps* (5.0 GHz)
• Equipped with on-chip amplifiers in 2.4 and 5.0 bands
• 4 antennas for increased range
• 2X2 internal MIMO special stream configuration ideal for printing wirelessly, connecting to multiple devices, transferring and downloading large files, and streaming multimedia and gaming.
o Features:
• Dual-band designed to avoid interference and maximize throughput for smoother and faster HD video streaming, file transfers, and wireless gaming.
• Connect computers, internet-ready TV's, game consoles, media players and more.
• Quality of Service traffic prioritizing technology allows for efficient time-sensitive trafficking allowing fast downloads, smooth video and music streaming, gaming, and VoIP.
• IPV6 Support is planned to be available by fall via free firmware download.
• New design
o Software:
• Advanced security: WPA and WPA2 and SPI Firewall
• Cisco Connect software for enabling three step setup, network management tools (parental controls, guest access) plus optional advanced settings.
o Available:
• Starting at all major retail and online etailers on April 5
• $99.99 MSRP.
Linksys E1500 Wireless-N Router with SpeedBoost
The E1500 is a powerful home wireless-n router that will connect you in minutes with optimal speed and coverage. It is ideal for moderate-sized homes and the SpeedBoost technology promotes strong signal strength over greater distances for surfing the web, emailing, printing wirelessly, transferring and downloading large files, and connecting to multiple devices. Users will also experience speed and reliability while being protected with features like guest access and parental controls.
• E1500 has:
o Performance:
• 2.4 GHz band
• High speed up to 300 Mbps*
• Equipped with off-chip amplifiers
• 3 internal antennas
• 4 Ethernet ports
• 2X3 internal MIMO special stream configuration
o Features:
• IPV6 Support is planned to be available by fall via free firmware download.
• New design
o Software:
• Advanced security: WPA and WPA2 and SPI Firewall
• Cisco Connect software for enabling three step setup, network management tools (parental controls, guest access) plus optional advanced settings.
o Available:
• Starting at all major retail and online etailers on April 5
• $79.99 MSRP.
Linksys E1200 Wireless-N Router
• The E1200 is a powerful wireless-n router for the home that allows for dependable everyday activity performance. With its fast speed and reliable wireless coverage, it is ideal for standard sized homes, apartments, and dorms. With Cisco Connect software users can easily connect to multiple devices, manage kids internet access with parental controls ad provide simple guest access.
E1200 has:
o Performance:
• 802.11n 2.4 GHz band
• Maximum performance up to 300 Mbps*
• Equipped with on-chip amplifiers
• 2 internal antennas with MIMO technology to promote broad coverage
• 2X2 internal MIMO special stream configuration ideal for surfing the web, emailing, printing wirelessly, and connecting to multiple devices.
o Features:
• New next generation home networking design
• Support for IPV6 is planned to be available by fall.
o Software:
• Advanced security: WPA and WPA2 and SPI Firewall
• Cisco Connect software for enabling three step setup, network management tools (parental controls, guest access) plus optional advanced settings.
o Available:
• Starting at all major retail and online etailers on April 5
• $59.99 MSRP.