San Francisco, CA April 5, 2011 – Today Cisco® is continuing its legacy of leadership in home networking with the launch of its new Linksys® E-Series family − a complete suite of powerful and easy-to-use next-generationWireless-N routers and switches. With Internet video consumption exploding and sales of wireless-enabled products such as tablets and game consoles steadily growing, consumers are seeking greater performance, reliability and simplicity from their home wireless networks. The new Linksys Wireless-N routers and switches, available today, offer a complete range of options that set a new standard for speed, range, and ease-of-use, while also sporting a visually-appealing new design.
The new Linksys E-Series lineup includes five routers, each with the latest technology in home wireless for a multitude of home entertainment experiences. The new routers not only provide the performance needed for today’s connected home, but also help to future-proof for new and emerging media technologies that are gaining traction with consumers such as Netflix-ready TVs, BluRay players, and game consoles, as well as Cisco’s ūmi telepresence. Designed with faster speeds (up to 450 Mbps*), other key features for select routers in the line include a 3×3 spatial stream configuration for improved coverage, external power amplifiers to maintain signal strength over a greater distance and reduce dead spots, and virtual USB technology** to connect USB printers, storage, and other devices to the network. The full line also boasts a new industrial design that combines sleek contours and advanced functionality − recently earning the prestigious 2011 Red Dot Product Design Award for product design, innovation and quality.
“With more than 70 million routers sold, Linksys brings a decade of leadership and innovation to create products that consumers trust for the best wireless quality, performance and experience,” said Simon Fleming-Wood, vice president of marketing, Cisco Consumer Products. “Our new Linksys line offers an array of solutions for the needs of today’s home networking consumer and is optimized for premium video experiences such as those available through Netflix, Hulu, and iTunes.”
According to industry research group IDC, only 39% of US homes have wireless, while only 11% are using Wireless-N technology. Over the next five years Wireless-N adoption is expected to nearly double due to the growth of wireless connected devices such as tablets, smartphones, and Internet-enabled TVs that require the latest wireless technology for optimal performance. (IDC, Worldwide Home Networking 2010-2014 Forecast Update, Doc.# 225479, Nov. 2010)
Cisco Connect Software Enables Easy Setup and Network Management
Each of the Linksys E-Series routers includes the acclaimed Cisco Connect software that enables consumers to set up and manage their wireless home network effortlessly. Unlike other wireless products that require 20 to 30 complicated steps to set up a single computer, Cisco Connect takes the user through three simple steps from start to finish. The included Cisco Connect software makes it easy to: 1) add additional devices to the network, 2) set parental controls, 3) provide Internet access for guests on a separate guest network and 4) customize personal security settings such as passwords. Advanced users can also configure and manage their routers via a web browser.
The new routers feature the latest version of Cisco Connect, which now includes an Internet Speed Test that can check the bandwidth and speed of a user’s Internet connection.
E-Series Wireless-N Routers
| Model | Linksys E1200 Wireless-N Router | Linksys E1500 Wireless-N Router with SpeedBoost | Linksys E2500 Advanced Dual-Band Wireless-N Router | Linksys E3200 High Performance Dual-Band N Router | Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band N Router |
| SRP | $59.99 | $79.99 | $99.99 | $159.99 | $179.99 |
| Bands | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz | Simultaneous Dual-Band 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz |
Simultaneous Dual-Band 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz |
Simultaneous Dual-Band 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz |
| Speed* | Up to 300 Mbps | Up to 300 Mbps | Up to 300 + 300 Mbps |
Up to 300 + 300 Mbps |
Up to 300 + 450 Mbps |
| Transmit/Receive | 2 x 2 | 2 x 3 | 2 x 2 | 2×3 | 2.4 GHz: 2×3 5 GHz: 3×3 |
| Amplifiers | Integrated On-chip |
External Off-chip |
Integrated On-chip |
External Off-chip High Power |
External Off-chip High Power |
| Ports | 4 x 10/100 | 4 x 10/100 | 4 x 10/100 | 4 x Gigabit USB |
4 x Gigabit USB |
| USB Features | N/A | N/A | N/A | Shared Storage Virtual USB** |
Shared Storage Virtual USB** Media Server |
| Parental Controls | Time of Day Access, Domain Blocking | ||||
| Customer Support | Award-winning 24/7 support | ||||
New Switches Enable Easy Network Expansion and Power Saving Modes
The three new Linksys switches enable faster and simpler wired connections. New features include plug and play of Ethernet-enabled devices, Quality of Service (QoS) for traffic prioritization, auto-sensing ports, and power saving features.
Switches
| Model | Linksys SE1500 5-Port 10/100 Switch |
Linksys SE2500 5-Port Gigabit Switch | Linksys SE2800 8-Port Gigabit Switch |
| SRP | $29.99 | $54.99 | $74.99 |
| Ethernet Ports/Speed | 5 x 10/100 | 5 x Gigabit | 8 x Gigabit |
| Per Port Status LEDs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power Saving Features | – Cable connect detection | – Cable connect detection – Sleep mode |
– Cable connect detection – Sleep mode |
| Customer Support | Award-winning 24/7 support | ||
Pricing and Availability: There are eight new products in the Linksys family — five routers and three switches. The suggested retail prices for the routers range from $59.99 to $179.99. Prices of the switches range from $29.99 to $74.99. The full line of Linksys routers and switches is available starting today at retailers nationwide or by visiting the Linksys website at www.linksys.com/store.
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