Linksys E4200 Wireless-N Router review

On the back of the Linksys E4200 Wireless-N router are four Gigabit-Ethernet ports, a port for connecting to your ADSL modem, and a USB port for connecting a USB drive.

For the security-concerned, it supports WPA/WPA2 personal and enterprise encryption.

Setup

The usual way to set up a new router is to do it from its browser-based client. The E4200 differs in that the preferred method for setting it up is via their desktop client software, Cisco Connect.

The problem with this method is that it’s only compatible with Microsoft Windows (from XP SP3 to 7) and Mac OSX (from Tiger 10.4.9 to Snow Leopard 10.6.1 – Lion is also supported, but only with newer versions of the software), there’s no support for Linux-based OS at all.

Putting that niggle aside, setting up the E4200 via Cisco Connect was the easiest setup we’ve had in a while. The setup procedure takes care of all the usual things like selecting an SSID and password. Unfortunately, that password is also the same one used to go into the advanced router settings via the browser. This is somewhat mitigated by the fact that the router has “Guest access” on by default, which allows guests to wirelessly connect with a completely different password.

Linksys E4200

Browser UI

You can get to the browser UI via the usual way (open a browser, type in the network address, type in the username and password) or through the previously mentioned Cisco Connect software (Router Settings -> Advanced settings -> OK) – both methods take you to the same place.

The top part of the UI has two sets of tabs: the top most one has global options (Setup, Wireless, Security, etc.), while the one below it contains tabs that pertain to that specific global option. Below that are three columns: the left one has the main headings of items in the current screen, the middle one has all the available options relevant to the current screen, and the right one has a single word: “Help…”.

The top tabs with the columns below make for an uncluttered and easily navigable interface, though the column on the right would have been much more useful if it actually displayed some help instead of just a link to the (local) help pages.

Linksys E4200

In use

In daily use with around six connection (two wired, 4+ wireless), the E4200 handled everything very well. The only time it was switched off was when lightning came around (better safe than sorry) and when it was switched back on, everything worked as it should.

The WiFi range was good, but not as good as on other routers. Still, it should easily cover a large house.

One of the other cool features of the E4200 is that it has a USB port on the back for connecting USB drives. Using this was as easy as plugging in the drive and browsing to the router on your network.

Price

The E4200 is priced at $179. Locally, that translates to around R1,400. It is a bit pricey when compared to competitors, and this may ultimately be the deal breaker for many.

Linksys E4200

Conclusion

The E4200 is easy to use, reliable, and it has a few features that make it stand out just a little. Unfortunately, it is a little on the expensive side of things, which will hinder it in reaching the final round of a router battle royale.