I am just a consumer/hobbyist so please take this with a grain of salt... I mostly based my decision on the AC3200 from the
MU-MIMO vx XStream article. Moving beyond the difference in that tech, the major point for me was this band steering. Before I had the "MyName 2.4" and "MyName 5.0" SSIDs and to be honest I got tired of setting devices to specific bands (I tinker, a lot) and answering questions from the family about where to connect.
So far the 3200 has been able to assign my devices correctly.
Never used the CD and never do really. Just plugged in, followed direction, downloaded updates and went from there.
Your position there is rather dangerous. Companies have an obligation to inform customers of what they are purchasing. Governments have an obligation to protect people from companies who offer one thing, yet deliver another. If you are selling oranges as apples, sure we can poke fun at the consumer. Now put those products into a container so the consumer can not see what is inside, and I think they have a right to be pissed when they get home.
No need for big government warnings on the boxes, but if you intend to release a pre release product then label it as such (like games do). Otherwise, make it work.