
At a glance | |
Product | TRENDnet AC1750 Dual Band Wireless Router (TEW-812DRUv2) [Website] |
Summary | Updated model with 2nd generation Broadcom based AC1750 router with single USB 3.0 port and redesigned admin GUI |
Pros | • USB 3.0 port • Nicer looking admin GUI than V1 |
Cons | • USB 3.0 port doesn't really help • Not much difference in performance vs. V1 |
Typical Price: $156 Buy From Amazon |
Overview
My review of TRENDnet's belated first attempt at its TEW-812DRU flagship AC router concluded there were just too many negatives to recommend it. Perhaps they agreed, since they now have a second version that they asked us to take for a spin. Unfortunately, the new version is not much of an improvement over the old.
On the surface, the V2 looks almost identical to the first version. The only difference is a vertical USB 3.0 port in the same spot as the horizontal USB 2.0 port on the V1.
TRENDnet TEW-812DRUV2 front and rear panel callouts
Inside
For the V2, TRENDnet stuck with Broadcom and moved up to its second-generation BCM4708A0 communications processor SoC.
TRENDnet TEW-812DRUV2 inside
Comparing the V2 inside photo to the V1's below, you can see a good deal of simplification, which should yield lower manufacturing cost. This time, TRENDnet has both the 2.4 and 5 GHz radios integrated directly into the main board. A change from six single-band antennas to three dual-band antennas is also worth noting.
Table 1 shows the key components for both V2 and V1. Note the reduction in both RAM and flash for V2.
TRENDnet TEW-812DRUV2 | TRENDnet TEW-812DRUV1 | |
---|---|---|
CPU | Broadcom BCM4708A0 | Broadcom BCM4706 |
Switch | In BCM4708A0 | Broadcom BCM53125 |
RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
Flash | 8 MB | 128 MB |
2.4 GHz Radio | - BCM4331 - SiGe 2605L 2.4 GHz Power Amp (x3) |
- BCM4331 - SiGE SE2594L Dual Band 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Front End (x3) |
5 GHz radio | - Broadcom BCM4360 - Skyworks SE5003L1 5 GHz Power Amp (x3) |
- Broadcom BCM4360 - Skyworks SE5003L 5 GHz, 23dBm Power Amp w/ Power Detector (x3) |