Review on 📶 TP-Link AC1200 Wireless Gigabit Access Point: Advanced MU-MIMO & Beamforming Technology, Multi-SSID/Client/Range Extender Support, 4 Fixed Antennas, Passive PoE Powered (TL-WA1201) by Scott Richardson

Repeat after me first: This (TL-WA801N) is a $20 hotspot. LAUGH OUT LOUD. That's it. Let's take a look at what you get: Performance: I wasn't expecting peak performance, but I was hoping it would hit its 100Mbps LAN port operating limit (more on that later, read on), which I did couldn't. At a distance of about 20 inches, just before the peak of the parabolic signal, I peaked at about 80Mbps with no obstacles. My other access points at the same test site peaked on our home Internet connection (150Mbps). Firmware Graphical User Interface: It is well organized and allows quick access to important settings. One oddity though is that the access point is marked v6 but I couldn't find any support pages for it on the TP Link support site. They have support up to V5. The one I have must be really new. Additionally, there is a feature in the firmware that prevents you from entering the configuration screen twice. It is in order. until it thinks two people are logged in when there aren't any. I connected to one computer, then logged out and tried to log in with a second computer but the hotspot refused no matter what I did or how long I waited. Finally, I cycled the device and got back to work. I had a Toshiba POE camera in 2003 that did the same. very annoying. There are forum posts about this issue with various TP Link access points from 2014, so this could be an old issue. Doesn't disturb the show, but is annoying. POE: You get a lot for $20! Access point and POE injector included that works with the included power socket. I doubt it'll meet 802.3af specs just because of its size (about the size of a stripped down 9V battery), but it's enough to power an access point, and at this price point, a free one is Injector included A big plus if you don't have a POE switch or injector. Finally, a tip to save you some time (it bit me a bit): By default, the configuration interface on the LAN port is disabled. To set it up, connect to Wi-Fi, then go to the magic URL from the manual (can't provide it here. Amazon will filter it out). The AP resolves this URL locally in the configuration UI and first prompts you to set a new admin password. GMBH. And before I forget, the speed problem: the access point is designed for 300 Mbps. but the ethernet port (the line that goes from it to your network) is only rated for 100Mbps. This means that you will never access your network faster than 100 Mbit/s. Be aware of this. If you're using it as a repeater and connecting to another access point with a faster connection, you could theoretically overdrive the LAN port, but since I couldn't get over 80Mbps it might be a challenge. You can also hit another machine faster than 100 on the same AP, but I doubt it given the performance specs I've encountered. In any case. 4 stars considering the price of $20.