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TRENDnet TEW-687GA 450Mbps Wireless N Gaming Adapter Review

Others/Networking Gear by stefan @ 2011-02-27

The new Wireless 450Mbps TEW-687GA from TRENDnet is not USB anymore like the previously released products, but offers a Gigabit network interface between itself and the computer we are connecting the adapter to; this way, we don't have to install drivers anymore and is compatible with any platform (we can even configure it through the Playstation3 Internet Browser). We will perform some data transfer speeds to see if it is really better in terms of performance.

Conclusive Thoughts

The new TEW-687GA 450Mbps Wireless N Gaming adapter from TRENDnet succeeds to surpass each and every other product tested in the past, in the same conditions and with the same router; the adapter connects to our computer via LAN cable so we do not have to install extra drivers and has a nice upgradeable software interface with enough options to configure; also, if the device is fully configured for our home wireless network, then we can move it to any other system in the house and we will have Internet connection instantly (the IP/DNS settings for the wired LAN on the system we are connecting the adapter to must be set on Automatic).

The 450Mbps adapter has a stylish shiny plastic case, so it fits perfectly with the rest of the TRENDnet network equipment, that have the same type of casing; on the bottom and on the top we can find lots of ventilation holes, just in case, but the product barely gets warm after a long usage period.

The wireless range of the product is decent to use in small homes, but if we need to cover large areas I would recommend getting some 450Mbps access points, which are now also available from TRENDnet. The only thing that I did not like was that the product was shipped with a very short LAN cable, so we have very limited options where to place the product on.

TRENDnet TEW-687GA 450Mbps Wireless N Gaming Adapter Recommended For:

I would like to thank again TRENDnet for offering me one of their latest products for testing!

Comment from jmke @ 2011/02/27

What use exactly would you give this product? Add highspeed wireless to a system at $100 ( http://www.google.com/search?q=TEW-6...874725 dc45b7 ) which doesn't have wireless network card? A PCI wireless network card is about $50 for high end one, how does this stack up? How many times do you switch around network between devices?

PS3 and XBOX 360 have wireless network integrated, so maybe for other devices like Popcorn Hour? That one only has LAN, with this you can give it a fast wireless access? It does come at a premium price though, to be honest

Comment from Stefan Mileschin @ 2011/02/27

These devices with the new speed are still at the beginning and I am sure that a lot of speed improvements will be made with firmware upgrades to both router and adapter.

I see this product as a great device to add Wireless LAN and Internet access to any device in our homes with a RJ45 connector, without the need to configure anything else after the main setup wizard has been completed.

The PS3 comes with Wireless B/G so this adapter is a great upgrade to the internal wireless solution.

Comment from jmke @ 2011/02/27

Would this setup be possible?

In a room where you don't have wired connection to your network
- PC1
- PC2
connected with RJ45 to a switch in that room
switch connected to TEW-687GA.
Does the 687GA provide DHCP to more than one client?

Comment from Stefan Mileschin @ 2011/02/27

That would be an interesting test to perform, but I do not have currently a switch handy.

Comment from jmke @ 2011/02/27

a router with 4 UTP ports and its internal DHCP disabled should work too

Comment from Stefan Mileschin @ 2011/02/27

Yes, that is a solution too, but with a regular switch it would have been much more simpler

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