TP-Link Launches the $99 Archer BE3600 WiFi 7 Router

[Dr. Dro]

WiFi 7 is not yet ratified, and even the manual for this router states:



Since it's an access point available in the US it's got mandatory FCC testing results which include internal photos. Looks like it's a Broadcom BCM6764 which might be a lower cost version of Broadcom BCM6765.

Wi-Fi Certified 7 program has been running since January, though. Specifications should be complete, on the technical side at least. My new motherboard (a ROG Z790) is already labeled WiFi 7

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7

Driving the next level of Wi-Fi® performance Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7™ is here to meet the growing user demands for immersive, interactive technology. Based on IEEE 802.11be technology, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 enhances Wi-Fi performance in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands, bringing cutting-edge...

www.wi-fi.org

That's the problem, as soon as Asus makes a product EOL, they stop doing GPL software and Merlin can no longer support them.

After the disaster with the TP-Link Archer routers logging everything you do and every single page you visit and sending them to antivirus companies regardless of you disabling the HomeCare feature or not, I put my AC68U back in service. Turns out ASUS is still actively maintaining it, a new update was released in April

RT-AC68U - Support

www.asus.com

I'm probably never gonna buy another TP-Link router, even if they fixed this problem in the newer ones. ASUS on the other hand... yeah I'll keep paying their tax I guess.

 

[ikjadoon]

Wi-Fi Certified 7 program has been running since January, though. Specifications should be complete, on the technical side at least. My new motherboard (a ROG Z790) is already labeled WiFi 7

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7

Driving the next level of Wi-Fi® performance Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7™ is here to meet the growing user demands for immersive, interactive technology. Based on IEEE 802.11be technology, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 enhances Wi-Fi performance in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands, bringing cutting-edge...

www.wi-fi.org

..

I'm probably never gonna buy another TP-Link router, even if they fixed this problem in the newer ones. ASUS on the other hand... yeah I'll keep paying their tax I guess.

The Wi-Fi Alliance is the non-technical side, to clarify. The IEEE certifies the technical side and 802.11be (as Wi-Fi 7 is known) is still on Draft 6.0 as of July 2024. Final approval is estimated around September 2024, but it can be delayed further.

https://www.ieee802.org/11/Reports/802.11_Timelines.htm (CTRL+F IEEE Std P802.11be).

Next is Wi-Fi 7 Release 2; some Wi-Fi 7 features are not expected with this year's final specification and will release closer to 2026. I need to find the list again, but even some of those were postponed to Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn), like Advanced AP coordination.

So technically, while pre-IEEE-ratification Wi-Fi devices are not labelled as "Draft" as often these, Wi-Fi 7 APs & clients that have already released are based on the IEEE drafts.

 

[Dr. Dro]

The Wi-Fi Alliance is the non-technical side, to clarify. The IEEE certifies the technical side and 802.11be (as Wi-Fi 7 is known) is still on Draft 6.0 as of July 2024. Final approval is estimated around September 2024, but it can be delayed further.

https://www.ieee802.org/11/Reports/802.11_Timelines.htm (CTRL+F IEEE Std P802.11be).

Next is Wi-Fi 7 Release 2; some Wi-Fi 7 features are not expected with this year's final specification and will release closer to 2026. I need to find the list again, but even some of those were postponed to Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn), like Advanced AP coordination.

So technically, while pre-IEEE-ratification Wi-Fi devices are not labelled as "Draft" as often these, Wi-Fi 7 APs & clients that have already released are based on the IEEE drafts.

Nice. Wi-Fi is progressing fast

 

[starfals]

Their 100 bucks Archer Wi-Fi 6 is really fast, really stable, really cool (as in cold). I have never been so impressed by any WIFI machine before. If this one is of similar quality, ill buy it.

 

[kondamin]

What happens to mlo when older devices are on the network?