Linksys EA9200 and E8350 routers target demanding users

Linksys has taken the wraps off a pair of new routers, one of which is available now and the other that will be launching in a couple of days: the E8350 and the EA9200. Both are targeted at demanding users, though the EA9200 is the higher-end of the two, bringing with it features like dual-band operation and 6 antennas. That doesn't mean the E8350 isn't notable for its own reasons: it brings four antennas, which will meet most users' needs, and the same dual-band operation.

Both routers are being targeted at either single users who use a lot of bandwidth, or for multi-person homes where a lot of streaming is done at once. Both routers are dual-band and boast similar features, but the EA9200 has the most to offer. Three of the six aforementioned antennas are removable, and under the hood lies a 1GHz dual-core processor.

Joining those features is a pair of USB ports (2.0 and 3.0), as well as a 4-port Gigabit Switch and 1 Gigabit WAN port. The router is Smart WiFi-enabled, offering things like remote troubleshooting and parental controls. Handy for users with wireless entertainment setups is DLNA support, as well as virtual USB support.

The cheaper E8350, meanwhile, is similar in many ways — it also supports DLNA and virtual USB, for example, and spans the same Gigabit offerings. This router runs on a 1.4GHz processor and offers an eSATA port, and can be mounted on a wall. This model is available now for $249.99 USD, while the EA9200 will be launching this weekend for $299.99 USD.

SOURCE: BusinessWire