D-Link's Two Draft-N Routers

D-Link Draft-N buyers, take note: The company has shipped two somewhat similarly named routers based on the first draft of the 802.11n standard for super-fast Wi-Fi. One of these routers has only two antennas and therefore will likely not deliver the performance of the other, which has three antennas and is slightly more expensive.

Both the three-antenna product--the D-Link RangeBooster N 650 (DIR-635)--and the two-antenna product, the RangeBooster N (DIR-625), are based on the same Atheros chips. But the RangeBooster N 650 sells for around $150, while the RangeBooster N's MSRP is $130 (and we found it on Best Buy for just under $100). Both are on D-Link's Web site.

A D-Link official says the RangerBooster N (DIR 625) line was developed in response to retailer requests for a more inexpensive fast Wi-Fi router--and it's the only Draft-N router I've heard of that costs under $100. But most of the other Wi-Fi routers we're currently testing (for an upcoming review) have three antennas, so we've decided to test the DIR-635.

We'll have test results a few weeks down the road. But meanwhile, shoppers should remember that all Draft N routers are not created equal. Carefully check names and model numbers before buying.