Get a Netgear 802.11 Draft-N router for $25

A Draft-N router for only $25? That's a rare find indeed.

(Credit: Netgear)

If your wireless router doesn't have the muscle to reach all corners of the house, or you need faster throughput for copying files and streaming videos, it might be time to consider an upgrade. Newegg has refurbished Netgear WNR2000 802.11n Draft 2.0 routers for $24.99. Use coupon code SHIPNETGEAR to get free shipping.

For those unfamiliar with it, the "new" 802.11 Wi-Fi standard (which seems forever destined to be known as Draft-N) promises better range and faster throughput. The WNR2000 is backward-compatible with older 802.11 hardware and comes with four Ethernet ports, two internal antennas, and the usual raft of security features.

Keep in mind that unless you have 802.11n adapters for the PCs in your house, you may not reap the full benefits of the router--but you'll still enjoy better range and, I suspect, faster wireless connections, even if you have 802.11b or g hardware.

CNET hasn't reviewed the WNR2000, but over at Amazon it averages four stars out of five. That's pretty impressive, as even high-end routers often get crummy reviews.

The WNR2000 has a list price of $79.99, so you're saving quite a bit by opting for a refurb. It does have only a 90-day warranty, but what is there to break? Either it works or it doesn't. Personally, I think it's a steal. And at this price, I guarantee they won't last.

[fx72]

Add a Rosewill RNX-N1MAC IEEE 802.11b/g/n USB2.0 Wireless-N 2.0 Dongle to go along with it for $9.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166026

[peteyboy84]

how is this only $9.99? I see it listed as $29.99.

[Jon34511]

Original Price: $39.99
You Save: $10.00
$29.99
Free Shipping*

$20 off with promo code TOP3RW, ends 4/29

= $9.99

:-)

[Georgia in MS]

Dang - this is gone, too!!

[DetJMunch]

If I have one laptop with an n card and another laptop with a g card, will everything slow down to the g or will one have fast speeds while the other has slower speeds.

Thanks!

[rickbroida]

The latter. The presence of "g" hardware has no effect on the rest of the network.

[j_a_s_p_e_r]

Rick - Are you sure? Most wireless N devices go down to G when a G device is connected to it. There are simultaneous band routers, but I don't see that in the specs.

[j_a_s_p_e_r]

Rick, I just checked the specs at Neatgear's site and if you want G and N connected at the same time without going down to G speeds then you need to look at the RangeMax Wireless-N family (EXPENSIVE!). Don't waste your money. If you want to use this then upgrade all devices to connect using N or get a concurrent dual band router

[DetJMunch]

I don't know who to believe!!!! Anybody else have thoughts?

[j_a_s_p_e_r]

I'm suddenly not 100% sure myself. I've just read so many forum posts (complaints about N routers slowing down) on this I took it at face value. I couldn't find anything conclusive as yet...

[08Rabbit]

If you add a device such as G to a N network, the network speed for all wireless devices will not exceed G Specs.

[rickbroida]

Apologies if I got this wrong! Really wasn't aware of that.

[SpeekEazy]

That N Adapter is sold out ALREADY Jeez That was Quick

[rickbroida]

Geeks.com has one for $18.99. Not quite as good, but not bad, either. http://tinyurl.com/cszygo

[peteyboy84]

I know. Damnit. Hopefully the N router will at least be more reliable with my b/g hardware. My current router constantly drops the connection and I am forced to disconnect/reset to get it to sometimes work.

[SpeekEazy]

I failed because i managed to snag one and then i went to update the quantity to 2 and it removed both and said insufficient quantity . STOCK FAIL :(

[adamsk34]

Just placed an order 5 minutes ago and it worked fine, already got the confirmation.

[pme31561]

I just scored 3. They must of replenished their stock. Thanks Rick!

[johnbc72]

They appear to have more. I just got one when I went on around noon eastern.

[JJstarr]

Hey does anybody know if this is compatible with Verizon DSL? I recently added that service and I'm using the Westell wireless-g modem they sent me. I am looking to upgrade, but I want to make sure this is compatible. Thanks in advance.

[JJstarr]

Also, is a PS3 compatible with this? I hear PS3's are not compatible with the new-n routers. Thanks, everybody.

[NervClaX]

I've never read anything that said the Playstation 3 has 802.11n capability. I think Draft-N was still too rough at the time to include it.

[Renegade Knight]

I'm using a Draft N Belkin router with a PS3. No problem. Am I getting N speeds? Probably not but I do get updates and internet.

[Renegade Knight]

I got a refurbished Netgear router once. They don't support them. Mine didn't work out of the box, efforts to get with support and figure out if it was the router, firmware or what, resulted in no repsonce. I threw it away, lost the funds and wrote netgear off my list. The next router worked like a champ.

[Scopip]

Who the hell buys Draft N without Gigabit??? This is getting old...

[joeyjoeyjoey]

Thanks for the article. I just received my router yesterday $24.99 to my door. Granted it's not gigabit but for the price I could put my old/flaky Dlink DGL 4300 in the closet.
The setup page stinks as I find making multiple changes causes it to hang. You have to change one setting at a time for it not to freak out.
Also being rectified I guess that means they just make sure it works because my unit looked like it was dragged across the asphalt on all 6 sides!
Even with the negatives I still find the price great. It will buy me time to save up for a dual band router.
If you're interested I took a photo of it and placed it on my flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joey_joey_joey/3472685385/in/set-72157616603596976/

[tipoo_]

Whats wrong with it? I really want to get rid of my DI-524.