Linksys AE2500, AE1200, AE1000

[HighNoon]

Hi all,

Links:
AE2500: http://homesupport.cisco.com/en-us/wireless/linksys/AE2500
AE1200: http://homesupport.cisco.com/en-us/wireless/linksys/AE1200
AE1000: http://homesupport.cisco.com/en-us/wireless/linksys/AE1000

I have my desktop in a room without ethernet, so I'm looking to buy a dual band wireless adapter to go with my WNDR3700.

Originally when I was searching I saw Linksys had the WUSB600N and the AE1000. How are they different? Is one a newer version of the other?

After a bit more searching on Linksys's website, I see that they have an AE2500 and an AE1200 in addition to the AE1000. I googled for more info on the AE2500 and AE1200 and wasn't able to find anything.

I just want to know which adapter is best/newest.

Thank you!

 

[thiggins]

WUSB600N is oldest. Looks like Cisco is just trimming down the number of products they offer. Since the AE1000 is the one shown on the site I'd go with it.

 

[HighNoon]

Thanks for the reply. I figured the WUSB600N was oldest, but I'm hesitant to buy the AE1000 because it's fairly old and I'm assuming the AE2500 will be its replacement. However, I can't find any info about the AE2500 other than on Cisco's support website. I'm assuming the AE1200 is also a new prodcut, but I don't really care since it's only single band.

 

[thiggins]

Ok, Ok, You made me dig more. According to the FCC ID docs, the AE1000 is a rebranded WUSB600N V2. The AE1200 cleared FCC May 23 and, contrary to the info here, is single band.

I imagine the AE2500 will be the dual-band model. But it hasn't even cleared the FCC yet.

 

[HighNoon]

Where did you find that link to buy the AE1200?? I searched and couldn't find it. I wonder if they have a link in the store for the AE2500...

I also found some more info about the adapters from wi-fi.org. Here is a list of all Wi-Fi certified external wireless adapters.

More specifically, here are the links to the certificates for each adapter.
AE1000 (certified 12/11/2009): http://certifications.wi-fi.org/pdf_certificate.php?cid=WFA8354
AE1200 (certified 4/11/2011): http://certifications.wi-fi.org/pdf_certificate.php?cid=WFA11310
AE2500 (certified 4/11/2011): http://certifications.wi-fi.org/pdf_certificate.php?cid=WFA11311

By looking at this info it is obvious that the AE2500/AE1200 will be replacing the AE1000/WUSB600N. I guess once the AE2500 clears the FCC Cisco will release them. Might as well wait for that instead of buying an outdated adapter.

 

[thiggins]

Found it via Google shopping search.

You don't really have to wait. Adapters don't really get outdated. Newer adapters aren't necessarily better. Many times they are just cost reduced through redesign to improve product profitability.

 

[HighNoon]

Ah, I see it now. You can buy the AE2500 and the AE1200 on Cisco's website, but it doesn't seem that any other shops have it.

I will probably end up buying the AE1000. Should I get a new or refurbished one? Typically I don't buy refurbished products... but it's just a wireless adapter.

 

[thiggins]

Refurb should be fine. I've never had a problem with any refurb'd product I've purchased. I buy them all the time.

 

[BBBuyer]

Hi Tim

Going by Wifi.org. Can you please clarify if the AE2500 is a concurrent dual band usb adapter and if it is, are you likely to review the adapter to see how it handles two radios?

From what I can see, because the the AE1000 looks like the direct replacement to the selective WUSB600N (selective) then I have high hopes the AE2500 is concurrent.

 

[BBBuyer]

Just discovered on google that the AE2500 is selective, so wifi.org are wrong

Oh well, one day maybe.

 

[thiggins]

Client adapters are always one band at a time.