TP-Link shows off new Archer C2600 router with MU-MIMO support

By Jon Martindale October 12, 2015

TP-Link Archer C2600 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

For most people, the router they are given as part of their broadband provider is good enough; it does the job. For those that want something a little bit more customisable or feature deep though, there are a lot of aftermarket options. Take for example, the newly announced TP-Link Archer C2600, with full support for multiple MU-MIMO devices, meaning that everyone can connect whatever they want without impacting performance.

In terms of its more traditional features/specifications, the C2600 offers speeds of up to 1,733 Mbps over the 5GHz band, and up to 800Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. TP-Link claims its new router hits these top speeds more often than a lot of competitor products, thank to its “4-stream” technology, which it says helps devices reach their networking potential.

This should make this router a useful piece of kit for those interested in streaming 4k content to their devices.

Related: Netgear is releasing the Nighthawk X8, a Wi-Fi router supporting up to 5.3Gbps

Internally this router has a 1.4GHz dual-core Qualcomm CPU and has four dual-band antennas for data transmission. Unsurprisingly, it supports all of the latest Wi-Fi standards, as well as legacy b/g/n. For those not wanting to connect wirelessly though, there are four ethernet LAN ports on the rear, as well as a single ethernet WAN port. The right hand side also sports a pair of USB 3.0 ports and the typical controls: Wi-Fi toggle, WPS and a reset button.

But resorting to such hardware buttons feels archaic with a piece of kit like this. For those looking for a quick set up and access to back-end functions, there’s a tether app for the new C2600 that is available for both Android and iOS smartphones from their respective stores.

The only downside to all of these fancy features and specifications is the price. Expect to pay as much as $250.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Computing Coordinator

Jon Martindale is the Evergreen Coordinator for Computing, overseeing a team of writers addressing all the latest how to…

Computing

TP-Link’s Touch P5 touchscreen router is on sale at Amazon for 60% off

tp link touch p5 sale amazon

The process of setting up your router can be a real pain in the you-know-where, but TP-Link has a solution for that: put a touchscreen on the router itself. It's called the Touch P5, and this AC1900 router is currently on sale at Amazon for 60% off its retail price.

Normally a $200 router, Amazon's price is just $80. Amazon also includes free tech support for 90 days to help you get your Touch P5 set up, and help you troubleshoot any potential issues. We don't think you'll need that though, as the router is both extremely easy to set up and use.

Computing

Amazon is dropping prices on TP-Link Wi-Fi range extenders

amazon best tech deals 5 31 2017 tp link ac1200 wi fi range extender with gigabit ethernet port cover

As you add more Wi-Fi-connected devices to your home, it's almost inevitable you'll discover areas where the signal is weak or non-existent. Wi-Fi range extenders provide an effective and inexpensive solution to wireless network dead spots. Amazon dropped the prices on four Wi-Fi range extenders from TP-Link, one of our favorite brands, with models to fit every price range and Wi-Fi quality problem.

We've found the best deals on TP-Link Wi-Fi range extenders from Amazon and put them all in one place. Whether you're setting up a new home Wi-Fi network or need to improve the signal in weak areas with your current wireless router, these four deals can help you save up to $41.
TP-Link N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender --- $13 off

Computing

TP-Link’s new routers give you a huge mesh network for just $99

tp link deco w2400 high speed mesh 100 feat

Mesh networks might have their advantages but they do tend to be rather expensive. That's something TP-Link is looking to change with its new Deco W2400 mesh router bundle, which gives you two mesh routers for just $99 and offers high-speed coverage up to 3,000 square feet.

"A mesh system is the perfect solution for consumers struggling with Wi-Fi signal who need fast Wi-Fi coverage for their entire home. But, until now, the cost of mesh Wi-Fi has been prohibitively expensive," said Louis Liu, CEO of TP-Link. That's a sentiment we've seen play out all too often in recent years. Our own list of the best wireless routers you can buy has great mesh-networking hardware like Google Wi-Fi and the Eero mesh routers. But they cost hundreds of dollars where TP-Link's new solution manages to offer much the same for just $99.