[Maylyn's Review ~ Networking] ASUS WL-330NUL

[maylyn]

Road warriors should rejoice with the new ASUS WL-330NUL pocket size router from ASUS. ASUS doesn't just make routers for home/SOHO users but they know frequent travelers need something small and convenient to bring along to help them stay connected at anytime of the day.

Stay connected wherever you go!

The ASUS WL-330NUL is the world’s smallest pocket router at only 17.5g in weight and 6.5cm long. Whenever you’re traveling or simply at a cafe, getting online becomes so easy with all your devices using this USB stick-sized router. Whether only Wi-Fi or wired LAN are available, it creates your own private network and allows speedy cross-device communication, making it extra-useful in staying connected anywhere.

Some ASUS WL-330NUL package views







Actual ASUS WL-330NUL

 

[maylyn]

Overview

What is ASUS so different from the rest of the competitors? so ASUS make something so good that have rise to the occasion? Let's find out

Stay connected wherever you go!



World's smallest pocket router



Hotspot Sharing



USB Ethernet Adapter



Wireless Adapter



Several ways to power the ASUS WL-330NUL



Smartest setup free router / Windows and Mac support

 

[maylyn]

Setup

I'm going to present my setup in steps so users are able to follow to configure their ASUS-330NUL

Utility setup is required first before the initial configuration , just follow the instruction prompt on the screen after plugging into any USB 2.0 port







Once you are done, launch your browser pointing to 192.168.1.1, you will be redirected to the ASUS-330NUL administration page

You will need to enter the 8 digit found at the side of the ASUS-330NUL for authentication



Various settings menu are shown on the left panel



First stop, please update the ASUS-330NUL default firmware (3.0.0.20) to the latest (3.0.0.23) there are numerous fixes as shown below, you can download it from

https://www.asus.com/Networking/WL330NUL/#support_Download_30





Firmware updating in progress

 

[maylyn]

Wireless Setting

You are able to configure both private and guest wireless settings as deem fit or use the default



Mac Clone

Mac Clone function is very useful if the premises you are in require specific Mac address to connect to the Internet, thus allowing other devices to able to connect to the Internet as well



Guest Management

 

[maylyn]

So how's the performance?

Setup

Internet Connection ~ ViewQwest 300Mbps
Connection Type ~ USB Ethernet Wireless mode (Wireless Card mode)
Frequency ~ 2.4GHz N mode (AES)
Distance ~ Optimal (2m)





SpeedTest-SingTel



SpeedTest-SGIX



SpeedTest-ViewQwest



BBQ-Amazon Singapore



Not too shabby results at all, taking into consideration of it's size, it's still capable to deliver 30+Mbps download and 20+Mbps upload
Nevertheless it's the various mode of operation that one might want to take a serious look, it's size, flexibility and ease of use in different scenarios is something none other makers have yet to come out with

Job well done ASUS ^^ for scoring the world first pocket router in this form factor

 

[maylyn]

Before any jealous critics comment that it's only capable of delivering so "low" speed, please back your comments with proof with something similar in size
Bear in mind, the above test it's conducted in 2.4GHz wireless

Want top speed? it's can be done as well, by using the Ethernet Adapter mode but it will ease to be a router/wireless mode (not able to perform wireless and router function)





SpeedTest-SGIX



SpeedTest-SingTel



SpeedTest-ViewQwest



BBQ-Amazon Singapore



Good enough? hehe nothing strange with these results as it's capping the 100Mbps LAN Port with overheard

 

[maylyn]

Reserved for any new updates

ASUS-WL330NUL with supplied power adapter (it's 3 pin version)

 

[ArcticCheetah]

I saw the hardware specs...it is Realtek

 

[maylyn]

I saw the hardware specs...it is Realtek

Anything wrong with Realtek? cheaper chipset manufacturing, people wants to complain, premium chipset and better manufacturing, people wants to say it's too expensive

You will get to see another ASUS networking product using Realtek coming soon

 

[Inix]

If anything, I'll buy it for the fact that it shares Wireless from Wireless. That's something which most such small devices are not able to do yet.

 

[maylyn]

Setting up ~ Part 1 is done, Part 2 will be up tonight

 

[maylyn]

Setting up part 2 and performance indicators up

 

[maylyn]

If anything, I'll buy it for the fact that it shares Wireless from Wireless. That's something which most such small devices are not able to do yet.

That's right it's something which ASUS has accomplished first when most of other maker "small" devices are not able or yet to do it

 

[ralfale]

I bought this on day 1 of launch monday.

Its working great for my overseas trip. Its an excellent product at an amazing size.

Im loving this.

 

[maylyn]

I bought this on day 1 of launch monday.

Its working great for my overseas trip. Its an excellent product at an amazing size.

Im loving this.

Nice it's a must buy for road warriors this shows ASUS is listening what people wants and has delivered and newer innovation to deliver better products will never ends

 

[zetavinz]

Hi. I'm recommending this to my friend who is going overseas. Can the router function without the need of configuration via Windows/Mac?

My friend will only be bringing android devices overseas, so is the initial configuration only for First-time install. Then you can use it overseas straight?

 

[maylyn]

Hi. I'm recommending this to my friend who is going overseas. Can the router function without the need of configuration via Windows/Mac?

My friend will only be bringing android devices overseas, so is the initial configuration only for First-time install. Then you can use it overseas straight?

Initial configuration/setup is required.

For Windows, installation of the utility/drivers are needed, the utility/drivers are in the pocket router.

For Mac, installation is not required.

 

[rAcEr]

how does this compare with the tp-link travel router?
Amazon.com: TP-LINK TL-WR702N Wireless N150 Travel Router,Nano Size ,Router/AP/Client/Bridge/Repeater Modes ,150Mpbs, USB Powered: Computers & Accessories

 

[excezz]

I have tplink but there isnt a hotspot sharing mode which makes it impractical for me to bring overseas. I think asus is still best because of that feature.

 

[runtime]

Initial configuration/setup is required.

For Windows, installation of the utility/drivers are needed, the utility/drivers are in the pocket router.

For Mac, installation is not required.

Gd day...
Some issues encountered... maybe is just me...

1) May I know what is the initial configuration for? I tried to run setup.exe and is seems to just install the application for the PC to get connected to wireless router and to do the 330NUL configuration. When I access 192.168.1.1, it seems that the configuration can be done there too.

2) We are not able to choose the mode manually? The 330NUL will choose itself? What if I want to use the PC USB power and to use different mode?
I only managed to try out as wireless adapter mode. Initially I am not able to see the "Mode" tab in the installed app on my PC. I also have trouble connecting to my wireless router even after adding the profile manually. It keeps prompting me that the information is not the same as my wireless router. Even after adding the prompt, the profile disappear from the profile page of the installed app. Anyway, after a few rounds of re-install and reboot, I managed to connect to my wireless router.

3) I saw a few wireless names in the neigbourhood in the installed app after scanning, but after clicking on the "refresh" button, all disappear and I have to unplug 330NUL, re-plug it in and the wireless names will then appear again.

Still trying out...

Hope to have some advices from you.

Thank you.