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Save Money with the Nighthawk 2-in-1 cable modem-router

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If you are like most people, there are several devices in your home that fight for WiFi connections at any given time. This slows your network, and gives you a shoddy experience. Instead, look into upgrading your system immediately and save some cash too.

NHThe Nighthawk is a 2-in-1 cable modem-router that not only saves power, it also saves space. This modem-router features a WiFi router with a DOCSIS® 3.0 cable modem, which supports most data plans from major U.S. Internet providers.

This is a modem with serious power and benefits. The cable company issued modem is rent-able for anywhere from $5 to $10 a month depending on the policy of the provider. That adds up fast. Cutting these fees saves you a lot of money, as rental fees can range from $60 to $120 a year for only one piece of equipment, not to mention, two. The other worrisome issue is that most of the equipment from an ISP has low speeds and/or quality. The Nighthawk 2-in-1 changes this, however.

The features of the Nighthawk 2-in-1 include:

  • A retail price of about $280, which means it pays for itself in a bit more than two years.
  • More money savings each month when compared to other modem-routers.
  • WiFi speeds of up to 1.9Gbps and modem speeds of up to 960Mbps.
  • Compatibility with Google Fiber and other ultra-high speed equipment. Even if you don’t have these capabilities in your area now, they will likely come in the near future.

The Nighthawk also grows along with you and will help to keep your network-setup in top form. In tests performed with the Nighthawk, speeds reached 315Mbps, even though some wired equipment tops out at about 300Mbps. The unit we tested was for Comcast XFINITY, and it is only compatible with this ISP.

As Internet speeds increase, more customers will need a DOCSIS 3.0 compatible modem-router to take advantage of the speed. The Nighthawk does not disappoint in this area at all, and the features were as advertised. We were able to test these speeds when our entire team was working, and on an average day, we would test out at Comcast’s busiest time. It was perfect at work, and we would imagine that it would be just as perfect at home, too.

One of my favorite software packages for the Nighthawk and most Netgear routers is their Genie software. Anyone can use it, and it is easy and simple to use for anyone. This is an excellent 2-in-1 combination software that you can use to control all of your devices, and is custom-made for both the router and modem. You can even use the Netgear Genie on a laptop or smart phone thanks to a downloadable app, which allows you to make changes, reset your system or simply check on how it is running.

If you are looking for a good investment, a modem-router is a good financial choice. This is especially a good decision if currently paying rental fees. You are already paying for your Internet connection, so why not make the investment into it in order to get the best experience possible?

Though there are several 2-in-1 modem-routers on the market, the Nighthawk is certainly my favorite. It is consistent, can be upgraded, and with the addition of Genie software, customizing and troubleshooting are a breeze.

Robert Siciliano is a personal privacy, security and identity theft expert. See him discussing identity theft prevention. Disclosures.

The High Performance Router for a Many-Device Home

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You will love the Tri-Band WiFi technology; it can connect all of your devices at the same time. The only router capable of this is the Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC3200 Tri-Band Wi-Fi Router (a.k.a. Netgear R8000).

NETGEARThis router provides three connections and has six wing-like antennas. Another feature is the ReadyShare USB. The user who’d really be interested in the Netgear R8000 is the one who has all sorts of electronics like a complete entertainment system, desktop PCs, a few laptops, game consoles, smartphones, etc.

But even if you have just five devices in your house, you may still wish to consider this high performance router to smooth out all of your connections and eliminate any hiccups. All of the gadgets can be connected, something that regular routers can’t do.

This high performing router has Broadcom’s Xstream platform, which can prioritize incoming traffic and prevents slow traffic from impeding fast traffic.

Some Key Specifications

  • Selects the fastest Internet connection for every device
  • Memory: 128 MB Flash and 256 MB RAM
  • WiFi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2—PSK)
  • WiFi Technology: 802.11ac Tri-Band Gigabit
  • WiFi Performance: AC3200 (600 + 1300 + 1300 Mbps)
  • The WiFi range works for very large households.
  • WiFi Band: Simultaneous Tri-Band WiFi – Tx/Rx 3×3 (2.4GHz) + 3×3 (5GHz) + 3×3 (5GHz)
  • Ethernet Ports: Five (5) 10/100/1000 (1 WAN and 4 LAN) Gigabit ethernet ports
  • VPN support for secure remote access
  • Denial-of-service (DoS) attack prevention
  • Double firewall protection (SPI and NAT)
  • System requirements: Microsoft Windows 7, 8, Vista, 2000, Mac OS, UNIX or Linux
    Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0, Safari 1.4, Firefox 2.0 or Google Chrome 11.0 browsers or higher

Ready to set up the Netgear R8000?

  • Follow the instructions in the manual.
  • The instructions are not complicated.
  • After setting it up, go to routerlogin.net. The default password is “password” and the default username is “admin.” The setup wizard will get it installed for Internet access.
  • Once your connection is established, you can figure out what you’d like in your network.
  • The advanced menu will allow you to configure more features. Play around with the advanced menu to see what you might like.
  • Use the latest firmware.
  • Go to netgear.com/home/discover/apps/genie.aspx to download the Netgear Genie, an application that will monitor and control your new router and network. The Genie offers additional features like parental controls.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $299, and that comes with a limited one-year warranty. But look around; you may find a sale price.

The Tri-Band feature really sets the Netgear R8000 apart from other routers. The one challenge with this router is its horizontal, rather than vertical, expansion. But that’s really just a minor little issue when you consider all that this router can do, like take on multiple connections simultaneously—without any glitches. Other outstanding features:

  • Will enable multiple use of electronics in the household without anyone experiencing compromised loading times or any other sluggishness; no congestion. So while one person watches YouTube, another downloads files and a third watches a show while also using a smartphone, nobody’s online experiences will be hampered.
  • Is ideal for a household with a lot of devices.

Robert Siciliano is an identity theft expert to TheBestCompanys.com discussing  identity theft prevention.