Digital Trends

Compex NP26G-USB

June 17th, 2004 | by Jeff Fila

Features and Design

Based on the Conexant Prism GT 802.11g technology, the Compex NP26G-USB is compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g wireless devices and features four 10/100 Ethernet ports and a single antenna for wireless networking. It is a small gold-colored box measuring 6 ½-inches wide by 4-inches deep by 1 ½-inches tall, making it the smallest footprint of any four-port router we have seen yet. The unit features green/amber activity lights for LAN, WLAN and WAN activity (they are green with a 100Mbps connection and amber with a 10Mbps connection), a green USB activity light, and a blue LED power indicator. Unlike most other wireless routers we have seen, the activity lights are visible both from the front and the top of the unit, so that they are easily seen when mounted horizontally or vertically with the integrated wall-mounts.

On the back of the NP26G-USB are the four Ethernet ports, a WAN port, the two USB ports, a power plug, and a reset switch. The unit ships with a power brick, English, Russian, German and French quick install guides, a manual and utilities CD, and a small but nice addition — a wall-mount template. Missing is an Ethernet cable, which we often see included in SoHo routers - even wireless routers as they still need to connect to a modem.

An unfamiliar sight on a SoHo router: two USB ports.

Backed by a three-year warranty and available online for under $100, the NP26G-USB packs a lot of features for a competitive price.