Linksys CES 2016 Announcements

Linksys' CES 2016 lineup include lots of MU-MIMO products.

Routers

Linksys announced four new routers for CES 2016. First up is theEA7500 AC1900 Dual-Band MU-MIMO Gigabit Router. This is a Qualcomm-based 3x3 router supporting maximum link rates of 1300 Mbps in 5 GHz and 600 Mbps in 2.4 GHz.

With its 3x3 architecture, the EA7500 provides maximum simultaneous throughput for two MU-MIMO enabled devices. Other features include Qualcomm IPQ 1.4 GHz Dual Core Processor, Gigabit WAN (1) and switched LAN (4) ports, USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports for storage and printer sharing and Smart Wi-Fi app support for remote access, control and networks monitoring.

MSRP is $199.99 and shipments should start in February.

Linksys EA7500 AC1900 Dual-Band MU-MIMO Gigabit Router

Next up is Linksys' new top-of-line router, the EA9500 AC5400 Tri-Band Wi-Fi Router with MU-MIMO. Like other AC5400 class routers, this one is also based on Broadcom's 4x4 MU-MIMO enabled radio and three-radio XStream architecture. The two 5 GHz radios support maximum link rates of 2166 Mbps each and the 2.4 GHz radio links up to 1000 Mbps. To take advantage of these link rates, however, devices must support 1024-QAM modulation, which currently only Broadcom supports.

Features include 1.4 GHz dual-core processor, all Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN, 8 switched LAN), USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports for storage and printer sharing and Linksys' Smart WiFi router OS. All eight antennas are permanently attached. The EA9500 won't ship until April and will list for $399.99 then.

Linksys EA9500 AC5400 Tri-Band Wi-Fi Router with MU-MIMO

While we're talking about new routers, let's touch on the tweaks Linksys is making to its Android and iOS Smart Wi-Fi apps. Aside from a refreshed look and feel, the apps will let users opt-in to get router status notifications including on / offline status. The refreshed Smart Wi-Fi app will be out sometime this spring as a free download.

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi App

And finally, Linksys officially announced DD-WRT support for the WRT1900AC, WRT1200AC and WRT1900ACS Marvell-based routers.

Cable / DSL

Linksys also announced a few products for cable and DSL subscribers. The cable modem products are U.S. only.

The CG7500 High Speed AC1900 Dual-Band Cable Modem Router is an AC1900 class router with built-in 24X8 DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem that supports 100 Mbps+ cable service. Features include 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, four-port Gigabit Ethernet LAN switch and USB 2.0 port for storage and printer sharing.

The CG7500 won't be available until this summer. MSRP is set at $249.99.

Linksys CG7500, CM3008 & CM3024

If you like your current router and just need the cable modem in the CG7500, the CM3024 DOCSIS 3.0 24X8 Cable Modem should work nicely. It is spec'd at download speeds up to 960 Mbps and upload speeds up to 240 Mbps and connects via Gigabit Ethernet. Certification is planned for "all major cable broadband providers" and it will be out this spring, listing at $129.99.

If your cable service tops out at 100 Mbps, the CM3008 DOCSIS 3.0 8X4 Cable Modem supports download speeds up to 343 Mbps and upload up to 120 Mbps and is recommended for you. Network connection is via a single Gigabit Ethernet port. Certification is also planned for "all major cable broadband providers". It should be out sometime this spring for $69.99 MSRP.

The X6200 ADSL/VDSL Dual-Band Wi-Fi Modem Router is a Euro-only product combining a VDSL/ADSL2/2+ Annex A modem and AC750 class wireless router. The router portion supports maximum link rates of 300 Mbps in 2.4 GHz and 433 Mbps in 5 GHz. Linksys has thoughtfully included a Gigabit Ethernet WAN port for folks without DSL service in addition to the built-in four-port Gigabit switch.

The DSL modem supports ITU G992.5 ADSL2+ Annex A, B, L, and M and VDSL G.993.1 and ITU G.993.2 standards, there is a USB 2.0 port for storage and printer sharing and IPv4/IPv6 dual-stack support. The X6200 is planned to start shipping in March and will list for €99,99 and £79,99.

Linksys CG7500, CM3008 & CM3024Extender / Adapter

Routers and modems aren't the only thing getting new product love from Linksys this CES. Behold theRE7000 AC1900+ MU-MIMO Wi-Fi Range Extender! Like NETGEAR's AC2200 EX7300 announced this morning, the RE7000 has a 4x4 5 GHz radio and support for MU-MIMO. But instead of the NETGEAR's 3x3 2.4 GHz N450 class radio, the RE7000's 2x2 2.4 GHz radio is N300 class.

Since the RE7000's 5 GHz radio supports link rates up to 1733 Mbps and its 2.4 GHz radio links up to 300 Mbps, using the normal class naming convention should earn the product at least an AC2000 class. Instead, Linksys has opted for the confusing "AC1900+" moniker.

At any rate, the extender supports MU-MIMO for both backhaul and extended clients, making efficient use of bandwidth for MU-MIMO enabled routers. Like Linksys' other wireless extenders, the RE7000 automatically selects the best backhaul radio using its Crossband technology and has its Spot Finder feature to aid in proper extender placement. Other features include a Gigabit Ethernet port and access point mode support.

All this for only $149.99 MSRP when it ships this spring.

Linksys RE7000 AC1900+ MU-MIMO Wi-Fi Range Extender

Last, but not least is the WUSB6100M AC600 USB MU-MIMO Adapter, the first MU-MIMO enabled adapter on the market. The small AC580 class USB 2.0 adapter supports maximum link rates of 433 Mbps in 5 GHzand 150 Mbps in 2.4 GHz. It'll list for $59.99 and also will be on shelves this spring.

Linksys WUSB6100M AC600 USB MU-MIMO Adapter