It's a pretty unusual speed standard really, given past product releases

Jun 17, 2014 08:19 GMT  ·  By

Dual-band wireless routers can be amazing things, capable of reaching almost 2 Gbps transfer speed if you build them right, but those wonders are also expensive as sin. That's why products like the new TP-Link Archer C2 get created.

Technically, just having support for two Wi-Fi bands instead of one makes a router qualify for the "high-end" level. However, things aren't really as clear-cut in real life.

In fact, you might say that, soon enough, single-band routers won't even be released anymore. After all, seldom is the 2.4 GHz band used well enough to exceed 300 Mbps. 450 Mbps is very seldom achieved. So, we suppose you could say that there actually are dual-band routers, now, that can be considered "low-end."

If we knew the price, we could say for sure whether or not the new TP-Link one qualified, but we don't. All TP-Link said in its press release was that the product would be up for order in July.

The full name of the new product is Archer C2 - AC750 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router, and the top performance is of 733 Mbps.

It is kind of at odds with the AC750 in the name really, since it usually means that the transfer speed can achieve 750 Mbps. Alas, with 300 Mbps over 2.4 GHz and 433 Mbps over the 5 GHz band, we'll have to settle for 733 as a limit instead.

It's not such a big loss really. If the 2.4 GHz band handles e-mails and web browsing, then the 5 GHz one can take care of HD video streaming, online video games, etc.

TP-Link says, in its press release, that it has created the Archer C2 for those who want to migrate from the 802.11n and 802.11g to the newer and better 802.11ac standard, but without having to upgrade the whole infrastructure, if any.

As for wired connectivity, the Archer C2 has five Gigabit ports, one of which is a Gigabit WAN connector, and the others are four normal Gigabit LAN ports. There's even a USB connector, for sharing a printer or removable storage device over the network or via a remote FTP server.

Other features include one-touch WPA wireless security encryption, SPI and NAT firewall, parental control, and support for IPv6.

"TP-LINK continues its tradition of offering users the most cost-effective routers and best-in-class feature sets," says Mark Macaulay, director of sales for TP-LINK Canada.

"With high-power efficiency and robust security, the Archer AC wireless family is suitable for the growing congestion that multiple devices may cause on the home or office network."