Cisco Updates E4200; V2 Brings USB, Range Improvements

When we took a look at Bigfoot's Killer Wireless NIC we had an opportunity to play with Cisco's E4200, a top of the line wireless router with 3x3 spatial streams and 450 Mbps performance in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Not content with having one of the best routers available they decided to push the envelope a little further. The Cisco E4200 v2 Maximum Performance Dual-Band N900 includes an upgraded 1.2 GHz processor, designed to improve USB throughput when a disk is attached. Though we didn't test it with our sample, this is apparently a deficit in the original E4200, whose BCM4718 was clocked at 480 MHz. There's also been some optimizations to the antenna and amplifier configuration that should improve range and reduce dead spots. The router is available now at your favorite e-tailer for an MSRP of $199.