D-Link DIR-879 EXO AC1900 Wireless Router Review

Introduction

For those of you that are in the market to upgrade or purchase your first router, it doesn't take much to become confused with all the marketing that surrounds each advance in technology. AC1900 is where you want to start when looking for a router, as many modern devices fully support this technology.

The D-Link EXO AC1900 solution takes advantage of this by leveraging a cost-effective Realtek platform that I have yet to test myself. At the heart of this solution, D-Link chose the RTL8198CS a dual-core solution that operates at 1GHz paired with 128MB of memory from ESMT and NAND flash from ESMT at 128MB as well.

With this being an AC1900 device, you get 600 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band which is operated by the Realtek RTL8194AR while the 5GHz band allows 1300 Mbps and utilizes the Realtek RTL8814AR. And with this router marketed in the performance category, it does utilize some pretty powerful Wi-Fi amplifiers in the SKY2623L and SKY15201 at 1000mw.

Pricing, Availability, and Specifications

Specifications of the DIR-879 start off with the interfaces supplied on the router. With this, we have 802.11a/g/n/ac technology backed by dual-band technology and five gigabit ports, four for LAN access, and one for WAN. Features of this solution include SmartConnect that manages incoming wireless connections and chooses the band appropriately. Adding to this is SmartBeam technology, Advanced QoS, and Quick VPN.

MSRP of the D-Link EXO AC1900 Wireless Router comes in at $149.99 with a two-year warranty.