The launch of the 450Mbps segment of the 802.11n specification was sort of backwards. We saw some of the first routers last year in the September – October time frame. Then at CES we got our first glimpse of one of the new 450Mbps wireless adapters. This was the TRENDNet TEW-687GA that we just finished testing. But we are not going to stop there as we have another 450Mbps adapter from TRENDNet in the lab. This one is more PC specific and connects over USB 2.0. You lose the universal appeal that the 687GA had but gain more on portability. So let’s introduce the TRENDNet TEW-684UB 450Mbps Dual Band USB wireless adapter.
Value -Value is another very subjective topic. What is expensive to some might be a deal to others. You can look at this topic in multiple ways. One is raw price and the other is what you get for the money. Each is accurate and both are correct ways to look at price/value. We tend to look at features, performance and real-property when we discuss value. However, we also take into account the raw cash cost of the item.Although the TEW0684UB is 1/4th the size of the TEW-687GA it is not 1/4th the price. To get this level of performance you are going to shell out $100 before tax and shipping. Is this worth it? Well think about it like this. The TEW-684UB is a dual band adapter; this means that it can run in two different modes (2.4GHz and 5GHz). The range is rather cluttered and has a lower penetration rate (shorter range indoors). If you live in a wireless “hot” area the chances are there live routers and access points are 2.4GHz, the TEW-684UB gives you the option to setup a wireless network outside the normally cluttered range (with the right router that is). You also have the capability to run at up to 450Mbps (again with the right gear) in both of those bands. In effect you are getting four adapters for the price of one. When you look at it like this, the $100 price tag is not that bad. Conclusion -450Mbps wireless is on the way. We are seeing new products coming out and they are performing quite well. We have already taken a look at two of these from TRENDNet the TEW-691GR and the TEW-687GA, they have shown what you can get from 450Mbps but the 687GA is a little bulky (to put it bluntly). Now with the much smaller TEW-684UB we enter the more mobile market and can see the potential of this new segment of the 802.11n spec. TRENDNet has really put some work and thought into the design of the TEW-684UB. It is a very impressive device. I would like to see a smaller version of this but that will come as the wireless chip makers reduce the size of their designs as well as reduce the power required to run them. For now if you are looking to make the leap to 450Mbps wireless and need an adapter to complete the package the TEW-684UB would make an excellent choice.
