Wireless Tests
Here’s the juicy stuff, performance! I tested TEW-691GR’s wireless at 5 different distances:
| Distance | Number of Walls |
| 10 feet | 1 |
| 25 feet | 2 |
| 40 feet | 4 |
| 50 feet | 2 |
| 80+ feet | Too many to count |
I used my laptop with two different wireless adapters. For all Wireless N transfers, I used the TRENDnet TEW-687GA 450Mbps Gaming Adapter. I connected the adapter to the laptop’s Gigabit Ethernet port with a Cat 5e cable, so theoretically it could achieve its 450Mbps max speed. I also tested Wireless G with my laptop’s built in adapter, Intel Pro Wireless 3945ABG. When I ran the Wireless N tests, the laptop’s built in wireless adapter was turned off.
I had some trouble with LAN Speed Test while testing the wireless. If I chose large data chunks, I’d commonly be greeted with, “Error writing to server”. To avoid this error, I settled on 5MB data chunks, being written/read 10 times. I repeated the test 5 times in each location with Wireless N & G. Then I congregated all of the data, and generated a bunch of stats including, average, median, standard deviation, max and min speeds. Below is the graph for averages, N vs. G.
As you can see, the comparison isn’t even close. Wireless N destroys G in every way, which is expected. It has better range, better throughput, and even though I don’t have a graph for it, better ping times. Wireless G failed at distances of 40 and 50 feet. It was able to establish a connection and obtain an IP, but once data started flying over the connection, the connection would drop. I was able to start a couple of simple Windows file transfer tests at 40 and 50 feet, each averaged about 30KBps before dying. Therefore, I couldn’t accurately measure Wireless G speeds at those distances.
You might be asking, where’s the 80+ feet category? Well, neither N or G connected at that distance. I think there were just too many walls for either signal to survive. I could avoid the walls by going outside, however, it’s been raining for days, so going outside wasn’t a valid option during my testing time.
what’s the router processor, freqs, how much RAM, how big the Flash is, details details, please!
Purchased a tew691 fron newegg, two weeks later it quit, newegg said toobad….
Ouch, sorry to hear that. I used the TEW-691GR for about a month, and everything I experienced is documented in the review. If you don’t mind me asking, how did your TEW-691GR die? Did it just quit working, stop powering on, hung on flash, etc…?
That information isn’t provided in the manual nor through the admin web interface. So, I’d have to open the router and look at the chips. I didn’t want to risk voiding the warranty.
Depending on how you paid for it, you credit card company might offer some kind of extra warranty. I know that American Express does this, but I’ve never actually had to use it.