Linksys Ships Fancy, Stylish New Wireless N Routers

Cisco made news earlier in the month by claiming to give the Internet more room to grow, but obviously, boxes that are larger than most trucks can't easily be integrated into the home. Today, the company is introducing a few items that can actually be easily moved into the home.

The company's Linksys branch has just revealed some of the neatest routers we have ever seen, and undoubtedly the most stylish. We've often wondered why routers were so ugly, yet there's no good way to hide them. Linksys now has the solution to that problem, with a new, streamlined product lineup that highlights a new piece of software: Cisco Connect.

Obviously typing the strong-suits of the two companies together, Cisco Connect enables users to easily customize and control their home wireless experience, which has generally been reserved for DIY enthusiasts who didn't mind tinkering with their settings or installing some patch that gave them special access to the Linux build beneath. A whole new range of Wireless N routers have been created to best take advantage of the software, all of which are explained in detail below.

Product Descriptions and Pricing

The new Linksys E-Series line offers a full range of technology options to help users find what works best for them. The new line, including a USB Wireless-N Adapter, is available immediately at Amazon, Staples, Linksys.com, and soon at Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart and other leading retailers.  

Linksys E1000 Wireless-N Router (MSRP:  $79.99)

• Wirelessly connects computers and other devices at transfer speeds up to 300 Mbps  
• Uses four Fast Ethernet (10/100 Mbps) ports to directly connect wired devices
• Ideal for general wireless Internet usage and home office productivity

Linksys E2000 Advanced Wireless-N Router (MSRP:  $119.99)

• Includes four Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps) ports for faster file sharing with other Gigabit-enabled devices, including computers, hard drives, and servers
• Features selectable dual-band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) technology to help avoid interference, allowing for smoother file transfers and media streaming
• Ideal for connecting computers, gaming consoles, Internet-enabled HDTVs and Blu-Ray players, and other wireless devices at transfer speeds up to 300 Mbps

Linksys E2100L Advanced Wireless-N Router with Linux OS:  (MSRP:  $119.99)

• Utilizes the Linux operating system for flexibility to customize the network
• Uses four Fast Ethernet (10/100 Mbps) ports to directly connect wired devices
• Built-in UPnP AV Media Server streams entertainment content to an Xbox 360, PS3 or other compatible device
• USB port provides connectivity to storage devices for file sharing at home or over the Internet

Linksys E3000 High-Performance Wireless-N Router (Dual-Band):  (MSRP:  $179.99)

• Features simultaneous dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), high-performance Wireless-N technology for smoother HD video streaming, wireless gaming and file transfers
• Includes four Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps) ports for faster file sharing with other USB port and provides connectivity to storage devices for file sharing at home or over the Internet
• Built-in UPnP AV media server enables streaming of entertainment content to an Xbox 360, PS3 or other compatible device
• Optimized for entertainment, ideal for connecting computers, gaming consoles, Internet-enabled HDTVs and Blu-Ray players, and other wireless devices at transfer speeds up to 300 Mbps

Linksys AE1000 High-Performance Wireless-N USB Adapter:  (MSRP:  $69.99)

• Provides Wireless-N capability to Windows desktop computers and laptops
• Selectable dual-band wireless-N - connects to either a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz wireless network
• Includes USB extension cable and adapter base for improved wireless connectivity - ideal for hard-to-reach USB ports