Linksys WRT1200AC Wireless AC1200 Router Announced

New AC1200 Router Features Best in Class Performance and Open Source Support

Linksys®, the first to sell 100 million routers globally and a leader in networking solutions for the home and business, today announced it is expanding its WRT router line to include a 2×2 AC1200 Dual-Band Wireless-AC Gigabit Router, the WRT1200AC. This new router provides users with the high-end features of the WRT1900AC router at AC1200 speeds and a lower price point.

“This is a router we made for our customers. After the launch of the WRT1900AC last year we had many customers ask for a more affordable version but with the same high end features. The WRT1200AC is the result,” said Mike Chen, vice president, product management, Linksys. “Customers can now get a best-in-class, WRT-series AC1200 router from Linksys.”

The Linksys WRT1200AC Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi Router is based on the Avastar Wireless & ARMADA Processor product series from Marvell® and features wireless speeds up to 1.3 Gbps* and a 1.3GHz dual-core CPU. Two adjustable, removable antennas and high-powered Wi-Fi power amplifiers help ensure maximum range and performance in single- and multi-story buildings, while beamforming technology focuses and strengthens the Wi-Fi signal. Four Gigabit ports offer blazing-fast wired connections, a USB 3.0 port and a dual USB 2.0/eSATA port allows for sharing external storage across the network with data transfer speeds of up to 3 Gbps*. Users can also connect external storage or devices with the USB 3.0 port. The WRT1200AC is engineered to work with open-source firmware for complete customization.

Open Source Capable

In collaboration with Marvell, Linksys is happy to announce the open-source Wi-Fi driver for the WRT1200AC and WRT1900AC has been released to OpenWrt. This driver has been incorporated into the latest open source firmware image snapshot, available here (Command line interface experience recommended):

https://downloads.openwrt.org/people/kaloz/openwrt_wrt1900ac_snapshot.img

Since the initial release back in December, Marvell has demonstrated continued support by releasing successive updates to the community. Support for the WRT1900AC and WRT1200AC have been rolled into the latest “Chaos Calmer” release from OpenWrt.

Smart Wi-Fi Enhancements

Smart Wi-Fi is a web- and app-based management tool that helps users simply set up their router, and manage and control their home network via a dashboard on a PC, tablet or smart phone while at home or away. Linksys Smart Wi-Fi also provides a host of features including guest access, parental controls, remote access of other family or friend networks as well as easy references to passwords or network controls. Linksys recently added these new features via a firmware upgrade to select Linksys routers and each will be available on the WRT1200AC:

OpenVPN Server (Coming in May)
New Network Map features
Wireless Widget
Wi-Fi Scheduler
Improved device identification

Pricing and Availability

The Linksys WRT1200AC Router is available at leading retail and online retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, Microcenter, New Egg, Office Depot, Staples and Walmart at an MSRP of $179.99.

Router Leadership

The WRT1200AC is added to the list of more than 60 Linksys routers introduced since it pioneered the router in 1999. Linksys recently announced it has sold more than 100 Million routers and has become part of an elite group of consumer electronics manufacturers to have a device hit that milestone number.

About Linksys

The Linksys brand has pioneered wireless connectivity since its inception in 1988 with its leading innovation and engineering strategies, and best-in-class technology, design, and customer service. Linksys enables a connected lifestyle for people at home, at work and on the move, and with its award-winning products, simplifies home control, entertainment, security and Internet access through innovative features and a growing application and partner ecosystem. For more information, visit linksys.com, like us on Facebook, follow us onTwitter or watch us on YouTube.