If you’re still deliberating on whether or not to get a router that’s ready for new generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi, ASUS keeps making that choice easier. The RT-AC56U is the latest networking device from ASUS with support for 802.11ac and this can handle up to three times the speed of 802.11n.
The RT-AC56U is slated to arrive in stores in a couple of weeks, retailing for about £110. It’s naturally a dual-band wireless device, with 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies that total 1167Mbit/s in bandwidth. The design is sleek and slender and for added streamlining antennas are internal, so no more getting stuff snagged on them if you place the RT-AC56U on your work desk or entertainment centre.
ASUS AiRadar technology returns, with a smart engine that detects the number of devices paired with the RT-AC56U and their locations to shape and boost signals. But probably my favourite part of the RT-AC56U is the internal hardware, which would have looked pretty good on a desktop PC not so long ago! It’s got a dual-core ARM Cortex A9 CPU, 256MB DDR3, plus a 128MB flash. These come into play when handling your high speed internet, so look forward to lower latency and greater stability.
USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports are on the device, allowing for easy connections to printers and external storage, which again means this can be your own cloud server, something ASUS is actively promoting.
And the ASUSWRT interface is always fun – even someone like me can figure out routers with something that friendly. Changing settings is a walk in the park, and setup literally takes under a minute – more like 30 seconds, actually.
As of this writing, I have to say this is the most attractive 802.11ac router we’ve seen from ASUS yet. Its combination of great features and a comfortable price point make it an alluring proposition if you’re out and about looking for a new router.
Lee