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Linksys WAG160N

Linksys WAG160N
  • Manufacturer: Linksys (www.linksys.com/uk)
  • Pros: Attractive design, competitive price, four Ethernet ports included, Mac set-up software supplied
  • Cons: Slightly complicated set-up procedure a bit too much technical jargon for our liking
  • Price: £79.99 (+£4.95 postage)
  • Star rating: 3

Like D-Link, Linksys has improved the Mac side of its products since we last reviewed one of its routers. In fact, it’s completely redesigned both the hardware and software for its new WAG160N Wireless-N ADSL 2+ Gateway.

Gone is the rather ugly grey box with a big, fat aerial sticking out the top that we reviewed last year. The WAG160N is a more elegant product altogether, with a streamlined flying saucer-like design that stirs memories of the flying sub from the old TV series Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea. More important, though, is the fact that just as we were preparing this review, Linksys contacted us with news that it had just written some brand new Mac software for the router.

The problem we’d had with previous Linksys routers was that they didn’t have a proper Mac installer program, and just left it to you to enter a lot of technical details into the router’s built-in web pages. The new Setup program provided with the WAG160N certainly makes things a lot easier for Mac users, although it does still have one or two rough edges. At one point it asks you to enter information for settings such as ‘VCI’ and ‘Multiplex’ and tells you to check with your ISP if you don’t have the required details.

Some routers – most notably those from Apple and Belkin – manage to hide this sort of technical detail more effectively, so that ordinary home users don’t have to worry about it. Even so, the new Mac software is a welcome improvement and it’s good to see Linksys taking Mac users seriously now.

It’s also good to see that the WAG160N is one of the least expensive routers in this group. It’s a combined modem-router too, so you don’t need to invest in a separate modem, as is the case with the rather expensive AirPort Extreme. As its price comes in at around £85 (including postage), this makes it pretty good value for money. And, as well as providing wireless networking features it has four Ethernet ports tucked around the back, so you can connect additional computers or games consoles using ordinary Ethernet cables.

This product is part of our Wireless-n routers reviewed group product review. Other products in this group are:

 

Apple Airport Extreme

  • Star rating: 4

 

Belkin N1 Vision Modem Router

  • Editors ChoiceStar rating: 4

 

D-Link DSL-2740B

  • Star rating: 4

 

EnGenius ESR-9710

  • Star rating: 2

 

Netgear DG834N

  • Star rating: 3

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