[Maylyn's Review ~ Networking] ASUS RP-N53

[maylyn]

ASUS RP-N53 Dual Band Night light/Music Range Extender has arrived onto our shores.

We might be a small red dot on the global world map but the tremendous support and availability from ASUS TW doesn't dwindled just because we are small In fact we are one of very few countries that are able to get hold of it on the first availability.



Many thanks to ASUS SG/TW and Avertek for providing me a production sample for review.

So long story short, let's start with some pictorials shall we?

Package



Specifications and Package Contents
HW Version ~ A1
Firmware Version ~ V1.0.0.1g

Back



What's in the package



ASUS RP-N53



Right Side ~ 10/100 Ethernet Port/Audio Port



Left Side ~ Reset button/Power On/Off button/WPS button/Night Light

 

[maylyn]

Quick Look



3pin Power Socket



Night Light Illumination

 

[maylyn]

Overview

When conceptualizing the next range of networking products, ASUS networking design team has work tireless in designing what is functionality, feature rich and pleasant looking that one will look @ it differently

Scoring in some of the world "first" besides what a range extender can do

Light up your WiFi everywhere



First dual band concurrent range extender ~ one can enjoy extended WiFi coverage via both 2.4GHz and 5GHz



First to allow wireless media playback via ASUS RP-N53

One press setup and worry free connectivity via WPS



2.4GHz/5GHz Signal Indicators ~ allows one to know how the WiFi strength is like in their own WiFi environment



Internet Radio



Simple hands on control for music and lighting + provide stylish power light illumination

 

[maylyn]

Setting Up ~ Part 1

Setting up is easy, there are 2 ways in setting up.

Option 1 ~ connecting through GUI





Option 2 ~ Using WPS (WiFi Protected Setup)





As for me, I'm doing my setup via option 1 using the ASUS USB-AC56 with Ubiquiti ERL as main router, ASUS RT-AC66U as AP.

 

[maylyn]

Setting Up Part 2



Quick Internet Setup ~ first step ~ changing of your password



Searching for available networks



Choose your WiFi 2.4GHz/5GHz to pair it with





Applying settings

 

[maylyn]

ASUS RT-N53 login







There is a beta firmware release just today (version 1.0.1.1j) for ASUS RT-N53 for bug fixes and stability, so might as well



Download link ~> http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/RP-N53/FW_RP_N53_1011j.zip

Firmware updating

Before



Firmware updating in progress



Done !!!

 

[maylyn]

More features explored

Before we go into the burning question on how the ASUS RP-N53 perform, ya i know (speedtest right?) lol Let's go through some of the features which i deem it's important so users can make an informed choice whether they need it to configure to suit their WiFi needs. so far i have been testing out the ASUS RP-N53 on repeater mode but i will definitely check out the ASUS RP-N53 perform as an AP.

Modes of operation

There are two modes of operation that one can configure the ASUS RP-53

Repeater Mode (Default)



Access Point Mode



Touch Panel settings ~ allows one to configure on how the touch panel works

 

[maylyn]

Testing Time

I know you guys just want the speedtest results, so here goes ^^

Ubiquiti ERL with ASUS AC66U as AP test conducted using ASUS USB AC56 in study room
Viewqwest 300Mbps
SSID ~ 2.4GHz (VQ-RPT) / 5GHz (VQ-5GHz-RPT)
ASUS RP-N53 @ kitchen



ASUS RP-N53 showing 2 bars for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz



2.4GHz

Speedtest SingTel



Speedtest SGIX



Speedtest Viewqwest



5GHz

Speedtest Singtel



Speedtest SGIX



Speedtest Viewqwest



2.4GHz is averaging @ 30+Mbps down/20+Mbps up and more impressively is the 5GHz with results showing 60+Mbps down. Not bad ^^
Do bear in mind there is done via repeating mode, really send the home plugs home. Game on lol

 

[maylyn]

Reserved ~~~~~~~~

 

[maylyn]

Reserved ~~~~~~~~

 

[maylyn]

Conclusion

 

[maylyn]

Updated with test results

 

[ASUS@SG]

ASUS RP-N53 - Dual-Band Wireless-N600 Range Extender

Available Now! SRP: $129 - 3 Years limited warranty

Dual-band concurrent range extender
Wireless media playback with ASUS AiPlayer app
One-press setup and worry-free connectivity
Full coverage with internal MIMO antennas

https://www.asus.com/Networking/RPN53/#overview

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...64319257.12245.103663889667628&type=1&theater

 

[Cyno505]

Where to buy? Went SLS today but can't find.

 

[kero89]

Technically, in repeater mode, the actual bandwidth of each band will be halved, am I right to say so?

 

[renfred89]

Technically, in repeater mode, the actual bandwidth of each band will be halved, am I right to say so?

to my knowledge, i dont think so. this mode basically boost the signal further..

 

[renfred89]

Where to buy? Went SLS today but can't find.

I know South Asia Computer in funan does carry it..

 

[Leon]

Technically, in repeater mode, the actual bandwidth of each band will be halved, am I right to say so?

This is also my understanding.

 

[daniel_83]

Yup my understanding too

 

[maylyn]

Technically, in repeater mode, the actual bandwidth of each band will be halved, am I right to say so?

to my knowledge, i dont think so. this mode basically boost the signal further..

This is also my understanding.

Yup my understanding too

Yes, repeater mode does halve the WiFi bandwidth.

But one have to evaluate the own network topology for themselves on the usefulness of have full WiFi coverage especially @ dead zones and not everyone needs that kind of high speed WiFi transfer (i.e. surf the web, Facebook, (YouTube ~ even on 1080p) etc less P2P and downloading)