The PROLiNK PRC3801 was launched last October of last year. Being an AC1200, this router offers basic connection but has unique features inside that might interest users that wants complex network requirements. But first, to give you a small background about AC1200 — it is a common router in the market that uses the 802.11 AC standard, with speeds of of up to 1200 MBPS. The breakdown of the AC1200 for PRC3801 comes from 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz and 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz.
PACKAGING
The PROLiNK PRC3801 has a flip-top box that contains the router itself, basic documentation, an adapter and a free LAN cable. The device has four fixed external antennas that help you connect easily and can definitely punch through walls for wide-range connection.
PRC3801: Front of the box
PRC3801: Back of the box
DESIGN
The device itself appears smaller than other wireless routers in the market. Its design comes with a row of LED lights up front – a power indicator, a 2.4GHz/5GHz connection indicator, WAN and WPS, and four LAN connections.
The PRC3801
Rear of PRC3801
At the rear part, you’ll see four rubber feet for the stability of the router, the reset button, a place for your hooks if you want to hang the router itself and your connection details.
B-side of PRC3801
Anterior part
While for the other side, there’s the physical button for your on/off switch, your power outlet, four LAN ports and WAN port. The USB port can be located at the anterior part.
PERFORMANCE
We have tested the router for some performance ratings and found out that the speeds are consistent and reliable. Please note that we are using the 25Mbps (megabits per second) internet package from Converge ICT. For this speed, we have reached a maximum of 3MBPS (megabytes per second) for download and upload speed with LAN connection and a little less while connected via Wi-Fi on Steam. This means, it reach the maximum megabytes download it can do based on our existing internet plan. To know more about this, click this.
Moreover, we have explored the settings inside the router and only to find out that there are various options like changing your operation mode to Router, Access Point (AP) and Repeater Mode.
PRC3801 with Operation Mode
One definitely interests me is that you can use the router for Multi-SSIDs. So what does this mean? Some routers only have Guest-mode SSID that let you create one separate Wi-Fi network with a different SSID. But for the PRC3801, you can have as much as four (4) additional SSIDs on each radio band, i.e. four on the 2.4GHz and four on 5GHz. Including the SSIDs on the router, the total SSIDs you can create is ten (10).
Multi-SSID Feature
VERDICT
Overall, all of the features with the PRC3801 comes in ordinary for a router. The Multi-SSID is a must-have for a network junkie like me. The price, consistency and reliabilty are the important factors when buying a wireless router. The PROLiNK PRC3801 Wireless AC1200 is one of the cheapest routers you can buy out there. Its price tag is at Php3,599 in Lazada. However, for the functions and features it has, it is still relatively pricier than its competitors like Tenda AC6 Smart AC1200 4x5db WiFi Router, Xiaomi WiFi 3 AC1200 or D-Link AC1200 Wireless Wi-Fi Dual-Band.
PROS
- Minimal size
- Consistent download and upload speed
- Multi-SSID feature
- Multiple User – Multiple Input and Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) support
CONS
- Still has a steep price for a AC1200 router (vs competition)
Gianfranco is the co-founder of gadgetpilipinas.net. He graduated from Far Eastern University. A Psychology student turned tech-savvy. He's currently the HR Supervisor of Blip Media and one of the content producers of Gadget Pilipinas. He enjoys playing competitive video games and binge-watch American TV series.
