Linksys Introduces Four New MU-MIMO Solutions

Linksys was the first company to launch a fully functional MU-MIMO router last May and now they’re ready with four more devices in the new MAX-STREAM MU-MIMO series: Two routers, one range extender, and a USB adapter. The new Linksys MAX-STREAM lineup leverages the next generation of Wi-Fi with Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple Output technology (MU-MIMO). This helps to ensure uninterrupted Wi-Fi connectivity to all the devices in the home and function as if multiple devices have their own dedicated router.

“Our new line-up of Linksys MU-MIMO solutions provide the networking backbone to allow consumers to enjoy high-performance and simultaneous Wi-Fi, including speed, range, and coverage”, said Justin Doucette, director of product management, Linksys. “With the rise of 4K streaming and the growth of MU-MIMO clients, having the latest MU-MIMO technology is the best way to ensure users get the best Wi-Fi experience possible.”

The first new router is the Linksys MAX-STREAM AC1900 Dual-Band MU-MIMO Gigabit router (EA7500) and we stay with the basics here. The EA7500 features a Qualcomm IPQ 1.4GHz dual-core processor and naturally comes with the latest 802.11ac Wave 2 with MU-MIMO Wi-Fi standard. It is an AC1900 router with up to 600Mbps on the legacy 2.4GHz band and up to 1300 Mbps on the 5GHz band. It features four Gigabit ethernet LAN ports and one Gigabit WAN port next to the USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports.

The Linksys MAX-STREAM AC1900 Dual-Band MU-MIMO Gigabit router (EA7500) has an expected availability in February 2016 and has an MSRP of £149.99.

The second router takes the whole thing to the next level as it is a tri-band AC5400 router. The Linksys MAX-STREAM AC5400 tri-band Wi-Fi router with MU-MIMO (EA9500) is also powered by a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor, but it has an extra 5GHz band and kicks the speed up another notch. The EA9500 can provide up to 1000 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 2166 Mbps on each of the two 5GHz bands.

The EA9500 doesn’t just take the Wi-Fi speeds to another level, it does the same with the connectivity. The EA9500 has eight Gigabit Ethernet ports and one Gigabit WAN port next to the USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 port. It also features a setup with eight external antennas for maximum coverage on all three bands.

The Linksys MAX-STREAM AC5400 Tri-Band Wi-Fi Router with MU-MIMO (EA9500) has a planned launch date of April 2016 and an MSRP of £329.99.

Even with the best routers at hand, your coverage can be insufficient based on the simple real estate that it has to cover and that is where range extenders come into play. Linksys MAX-STREAM series also got one of these available and it is the AC1900+ MU-MIMO Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE7000). The combination of a MAX STREAM router and range extender creates a single network in the home with a single network name (SSID) so users can roam throughout their home without having to manually connect to the range extender. It also features Linksys’ Spot Finder Technology to show users where to place the range extender using a mobile device, Crossband Technology to maximizes the simultaneous use of both bands, and Beamforming to focus the signal. It can work as both a repeater and access point and also features a Gigabit ethernet port.

The Linksys MAX-STREAM AC1900+ MU-MIMO Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE7000) ha a planned availability set for spring 2016 and an MSRP of £129.99.

The last of the four new MAX-STREAM devices fills the final gap in the network by being a USB adapter for your system. The Linksys AC600 is a simple USB Adapter, but it is the first MU-MIMO-enabled adapter on the market. It supports AC Wave 2  with MU-MIMO (AC433 + N150) and beamforming while connecting through a default USB 2.0 port.

The Linksys MAX-STREAM AC600 USB MU-MIMO Adapter (WUSB6100M) has the same spring 2016 availability planned and an MSRP of £39.99.