Excellent design with a small footprint; doesn't need external power supply; includes an external IR receiver; handles 1080p video and high-resolution audio.
THE BAD
Only three HDMI inputs; lacks custom-installer-friendly features seen on some more expensive switchers.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Apogee HDMI 3x1 Mini HD Digital Switcher's power-free design and affordable price tag puts it at the top of HDMI switcher heap--so long as you can live with just three inputs.
Sophisticated, responsive, robust and intuitive Web interface; practical, useful, and original features such as Photo and Surveillance stations; supports Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 as media adapters; great expandability.
THE BAD
The surveillance feature supports only one camera out of the box; eSATA port located on the front; Download Station doesn't support Web sites that require authentication. No RAID.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Synology DS107+ is the most sophisticated NAS device we've tested to date. Its more advanced features require some networking know-how, but the included software and Web interface go a long way in helping you tackle the various offerings. You can't beat all the features you get for the price.
Decent throughput; long range; compact and practical design; USB port for print serving; intuitive Web interface makes setup and maintenance a snap; while not exactly lifetime, the warranty is generous.
THE BAD
USB port is on the front, no support for 5.0Ghz frequency.
THE BOTTOM LINE
With a fair price, decent performance, and dead-simple setup, the SMC SMCWGBR14-N Barricade N router is about as well-rounded a Draft N router as you'll find. It also boasts impressive range and a smart design. We strongly recommend it for general home use.
Linksys WRT610N Simultaneous Dual-N Band Wireless Router
EDITORS RATING
7.9
SPECS
THE GOOD
Compact, internal antenna design; supports both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz Draft N simultaneously; network-attached storage functionality; runs cool; supports Wi-Fi-Protected Setup.
THE BAD
Short one-year warranty; 2.4GHz close-range and mixed-mode throughput could be better; expensive.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The WRT610N can satisfy both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz wireless clients with its solid performance, great design, ease of use, and its ability to work as a network storage device when coupled with an external hard drive.
Compact, antenna-free design; great range, unparalleled performance among Draft N routers.
THE BAD
Runs very hot; no USB-related features; a short one-year warranty.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Aside from its potentially worrisome heat output, the Linksys WRT310N Wireless-N Gigabit Router is a networking dynamo with chart-topping performance and a sleek (maybe too sleek) design.
Compact; completely automated and fast installation; works with any Internet service; decent range.
THE BAD
No Mac support; flimsy design; no Draft N support; throughput could be better; short USB head.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Windy31 USB Wireless Router is not a router in the traditional sense. This small, USB drive lets you create a wireless network with access to the Internet from any one PC that has an Internet connection. It's a must-have for travelers who need to share their Internet access with different Wi-Fi devices.
D-Link Xtreme N Duo Media Router DIR-855 - wireless router
EDITORS RATING
7.6
SPECS
THE GOOD
True dual-band; great throughput performance; intuitive and responsive browser interface; gigabit LAN and WAN; easy to set up; supports separate wireless networks for guests; network activity display offers quick access to a variety of network information; convenient preset settings.
THE BAD
Middling range; confusing network activity display; expensive; bulky design; no print-serving or NAS functionality.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The D-Link Xtreme N Duo Media Router DIR-855 is a stable performer with excellent Web interface. But because it comes in a bulky, old-school design, has a relatively short range, and carries a hefty price tag, consider waiting for the price to drop before investing in this router.
Compact and sleek design; affordable; RangePlus technology works with N adapters and offers noticeable enhancement in both performance and range.
THE BAD
No USB port; no Gigabit Ethernet; short one-year warranty.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Linksys WRT110 RangePlus is an unconventional and stylish wireless router that supplies near draft 802.11n throughput without being an official Draft N router. We like this affordable, antenna-free router for networks where Wireless-G and Wireless-N clients coexist.
Supports all available wireless encryption methods; intuitive, feature-packed, responsive Web interface makes it easy to set up and manage your network connections; compact design; impressive throughput speeds at short range; three-year warranty.
THE BAD
Wireless connection drops with TrendNet wireless adapter; disappointing long-range throughput.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The TrendNet Wireless N Gigabit Router TEW-633GR is fast, but not as fast as a competing D-Link router, and it's easy to use, but not as easy as a Belkin router. Still, we like it for its winning combination of decent throughput and intuitive Web interface.
Drobo DroboShare, PC, Mac, RJ-45, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
THE GOOD
Incredibly simple to set up and manage; can switch from networked-attached to direct-attached storage; can connect two Drobos to DroboShare; supports major file systems NTFS, HFS+, FAT32, or EXT3.
THE BAD
DroboShare costs an extra $200 on top of the Drobo, which, it might be argued, should have included an Ethernet port in the first place; cannot designate different access rights to specific users on your network.
THE BOTTOM LINE
For those bemoaning the lack of network support on last year's innovative Drobo drive, DroboShare offers Gigabit Ethernet and as simple and straightforward a setup as we found with the direct-attached Drobo.
Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes - Wireless access point, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0)
THE GOOD
New, faster 802.11n wireless standard; same price as the original model; audio streaming capability remains unique; imminently portable because of its small size; easy setup.
THE BAD
Not as fast as other 802.11n routers; can't connect an external hard drive to the USB port; no Ethernet ports for wired clients.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Don't pick up a new, 802.11n-enabled AirPort Express if you're looking for superfast wireless networking performance. You should consider it, however, if you're in the market for a new Wi-Fi router that offers portability, ease of use, and the unique ability to stream iTunes over your network.
D-Link DGL-4500 GamerLounge Xtreme N Gaming Router
EDITORS RATING
7.3
SPECS
4.6 in x 7.6 in x 1.2 in, Wired, Wireless, 300 Mbps, Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0), Ethernet, HTTP, IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED, IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0), External, NAT support, VPN passthrough, Firewall protection, Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), 11.2 oz
THE GOOD
Intuitive and responsive browser interface; Gigabit LAN and WAN; excellent range; easy to setup; Network Activity Display offers quick access to a variety of network information; preset with a lot of settings for special services and applications, including games.
THE BAD
Random reset during heavy load.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The D-Link DGL-4500 GamerLounge Xtreme N Gaming Router almost succeeds for home networking and hardcore gamers. It bears a few flaws, among which is a random reset during heavy load that might be the deal breaker.
D-Link DNS 323 2-Bay Network Storage Enclosure - NAS server, PC, RJ-45, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
THE GOOD
Compact design; very easy to set up; intuitive Web interface; fast write speed; print-serving capability; two drive bays with RAID support; can operate as a UPnP AV, iTunes, and FTP server; can also act as DHCP server; USB port for sharing a printer.
THE BAD
Drive bays' cover comes off too easily; doesn't support hard drives in FAT32 or NTFS format; drive bays only hold drives of regular thickness.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The D-Link DNS-323 2-Bay Network Storage Enclosure is a comprehensive solution to extend your network storage and functionality. It offers great performance and, despite its long list of features, remains very easy to use.
Asus WL-500W 802.11n Multi-Functional Wireless Router
EDITORS RATING
7.1
SPECS
THE GOOD
Great range and signal penetration; integrated print, media, FTP, and Webcam servers; can support multiple USB devices simultaneously.
THE BAD
Bulky and impractical design; buggy Web interface; confusing instruction if you're trying to figure out the special USB features; throughput at close range could better; no Gigabit Ethernet.
THE BOTTOM LINE
We like the Asus WL-500W for its wealth of unique features and its strong signal at long range, but its short-range throughput is substandard and there's no Gigabit Ethernet support. This is a good choice only for advanced users who will take advantage of some of router's USB features and aren't afraid to wade into those waters without help.
HP Media Vault Mv2120 - Network drive, 500 GB, PC, 4 pin USB Type A, RJ-45, Removable, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
THE GOOD
Very easy to set up with an intuitive Web interface and convenient desktop application; ships with 500GB hard drive and a free bay for the addition of a second drive; USB ports for additional storage; supports RAID 1; includes an iTunes server and Web access for photos.
THE BAD
Does not support writing to external drives formatted in NTFS; installs programs that start automatically and doesn't provide a method to disable them; rigid RAID setup; no print-serving capability; flimsy drive tray.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The HP Media Vault MV2120 is a two-bay NAS drive that novice networkers will find simple to set up and use. While it offers flexible expansion options with a free internal drive bay and two USB ports, the intrusive Media Vault software and lack of a print server dampen our enthusiasm a bit.
Buffalo LinkStation Mini LS-WS1.0TGL/R1 - NAS server, 1 TB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
THE GOOD
Small footprint and near silent operation; dual drives offer data redundancy; USB port allows for easy expansion or print sharing; DLNA support for streaming media files over your network.
THE BAD
Pricey per gigabyte; remote access feature took some work to enable.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The tiniest of NAS drives, the Buffalo LinkStation Mini keeps up with its full-size competition in terms of both features and performance. However, you'll pay a premium price for this small, silent networked drive.
Buffalo LinkStation Mini LS-WS500GL/R1 - NAS server, 500 GB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
THE GOOD
Small footprint and near silent operation; dual drives offer data redundancy; USB port allows for easy expansion or print sharing; DLNA support for streaming media files over your network.
THE BAD
Pricey per gigabyte; remote access feature took some work to enable.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The tiniest of NAS drives, the Buffalo LinkStation Mini keeps up with its full-size competition in terms of both features and performance. However, you'll pay a premium price for this small, silent networked drive.
Sleek design; excellent throughput, particularly in mixed environments; intuitive Web-based interface; bountiful wireless networking and security options; supports an antenna extender; two-year warranty.
THE BAD
Range could be better; no Gigabit Ethernet.
THE BOTTOM LINE
It's cheap, easy to set up, and delivers more than acceptable performance at shorter ranges. We like the sleek, white Edimax BR-6504N router, particularly for networks with a mix of Draft N and older 802.11b/g clients.
Apple Time Capsule NAS server, 500 GB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Standard, Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n (draft)
THE GOOD
Clean design; good deal for Draft-N router and 500GB or 1TB of storage; low maintenance data backup for Mac users; extensibility via USB port.
THE BAD
Only average networking performance; few advanced storage features beyond backup capabilities, and those only for Mac users.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Apple's hybrid 802.11n wireless router/networked hard drive offers some powerful data backup features for Mac owners, as well as Apple's typical pleasing design. Windows users and anyone who demands speed from their 802.11n network will be disappointed.
Apple Time Capsule NAS server, 1 TB, PC, Mac, RJ-45, 4 pin USB Type A, Standard, Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n (draft)
THE GOOD
Clean design; good deal for Draft-N router and 500GB or 1TB of storage; low maintenance data backup for Mac users; extensibility via USB port.
THE BAD
Only average networking performance; few advanced storage features beyond backup capabilities, and those only for Mac users.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Apple's hybrid 802.11n wireless router/networked hard drive offers some powerful data backup features for Mac owners, as well as Apple's typical pleasing design. Windows users and anyone who demands speed from their 802.11n network will be disappointed.
Simple and responsive Web interface; easy setup; good performance and range; supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup; affordable.
THE BAD
No N-only mode; mediocre feature set; bulky, dated design; no desktop setup application.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The TP-Link TL-WR941ND Wireless N router is a simple wireless N router with a friendly price. If all you require is a basic network and you have a mix of 802.11N and b/g clients, it does the job for cheap.
LaCie Ethernet Disk Mini - Home Edition - NAS server, 500 GB, PC, Mac, 4 pin USB Type A, RJ-45, Standard, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
THE GOOD
Network-attached drive with 500GB of storage; can serve up media to iTunes and uPNP-capable devices; easy to share files with friends and family; rugged design.
THE BAD
Remote access is slow and unreliable; drive can be noisy during use; browser-based interface has its quirks.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The LaCie Ethernet Disk Mini - Home Edition is a solid mediacentric network-attached storage drive with an easy-to-use Web interface, but don't expect glitch-free access outside your home network.
Terrible throughput speeds; short range; no Gigabit Ethernet
THE BOTTOM LINE
We wanted to like this funky-looking router, but the LevelOne N_One WBR-6000 performed so horribly in testing that we must warn you not to be tempted by its slick design and low price.
VOX BlackBox Hard drive array, PC, Mac, Unix, 4 pin USB Type B, RJ-45, Hot-swap
THE GOOD
It has 1TB of storage; it is affordable; easily accessible hard-drive bays; USB ports for additional storage; supports RAID 0 and RAID 1; includes iTunes server; sturdy build.
THE BAD
Noisy; confusing setup software and Web interface; does not support writing on external drives formatted in NTFS; rigid and rudimentary user account and file-sharing management; no print-serving capability; high latency.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Vox BlackBox is a 1TB NAS drive that serves up a lot of storage but not many features for a good price. Though you may be tempted by its low cost per gigabyte, be warned it's noisy and plagued by brutally bad software.
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