Guest blog by Carlton.
The TP-Link T4U-AC1200 Archer Wireless Dual Band is the Ultra-Fast 1200 Mbps Wireless Speed Adapter (left in above picture).
With dual banding connections, this AC1200 is ideal for lag-free HD video streaming, gaming and large file downloads. This product’s reputation is also increased with its Super Speed USB 3.0 port which is up to 10x faster than a USB 2.0.
The Archer T4U is also equipped with the 1m USB 3.0 extension cable which extends the USB connection length making it convenient to plug USB devices in and out of the socket. Stylish and elegant this is suitable for your home and office.
TP-Link includes the following in the box:
• T4U Wi-Fi USB adapter
• Software CD
• Quick-start guide
• USB extension cable
To install the Archer T4U, simply connect to a spare USB port (preferably a USB 3.0 port). The product also comes with an installation CD to assist in configuring the USB adapter to your network and a USB extension cable that allows you to connect the item to the back of your PC.
Once the installation was completed, the utility displayed the networks that were available to the adapter that included both 2.4 and 5GHz bands. To connect, you simply click on the network and then enter your security key Installation.
The wireless did start to drop a little in speeds when we got more than 10 metres but it worked well through walls. We got full speeds at up to 5 metres with a barely noticeable drop at the 10 metre mark. At 25 metres away from the router it was still working well and providing a strong signal. Overall, the T4U performed well – we only noticed a very slight drop in performance when asking it to work quite a distance from router.
The product does support WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) via the utility tool and also profiles and an advanced feature. The advanced feature allows you to slightly tweak the T4U, whereas profiles are your wireless networks.
For the price, I would happily recommend the TP-LINK Archer T4U Wireless Dual Band USB Adaptor to any computer user who wishes to maximise their wireless setup, especially to desktop machines or laptops that may have a poor wireless connection. We could not fault this product at all as it boasted exceptional speeds and a very easy setup!
TP-LINK TL-WA850RE Wi-Fi Range Extender
Ever found yourself moving around your home to get decent Wi-Fi? Perhaps you already know of ‘dead zones’ in the house. Well, we think that moving around your house should not be a test of network coverage. The great range of TP-LINK Wi-Fi Range Extenders help rid your home of the dreaded ‘dead zones’ by boosting your wireless networks.
Ensure that your mobile, media and computer devices are always connected and ready for wireless action!
• Range Extender mode boosts wireless signal to previously unreachable or hard-to-wire areas flawlessly
• Miniature size and wall-mounted design make it easy to deploy and move flexibly
• Easily expand wireless coverage at a push of Range Extender button
• Ethernet port allows the Extender to function as a wireless adapter to connect wired devices
• Tether App allows easy access and management using any mobile device
• LED Control function includes a Night Mode for peaceful sleep
TP-Link’s TL-WA850RE is a Wi-Fi booster that plugs directly into your wall socket; this stops trailing wires and makes it neat and out of sight. It is pretty powerful, considering its size. You have one Ethernet port on the TL-WA850RE. There’s good signal strength within the device’s range and it has two antennas built in. You get up to 30 metres of range, enough to cover a small house, but you do need to factor in floors and walls.
This Wi-Fi extender has a theoretical data rate of 300 Mbps, which is fast for size and current price. You can use the single Ethernet port on the TL-WA850RE to plug in a wired device, but it’s a great way to get a single device connected to the internet – especially if it doesn’t have built-in Wi-Fi. TP-Link offers excellent support on its products and you also get a two-year warranty.
We have had this product on demo in our Halesworth store, amongst others, and have had good feedback from customers who purchased one. Of particular mention was the ease of use, simple setup and value for money.
To view the TP-Link range click here, or pop into your local store to find out more about boosting your Wi-Fi.
