Review on 📶 Linksys LAPAC1200C AC1200 Wireless Access Point for Business (Cloud-Managed PoE WiFi Access Point), White by Brad Bowers

Be very careful with firmware updates on this device, otherwise you may lose functionality and settings. Hardware wise the AC2600 was good, but Linksys' bad decision made me post this rating as a warning and to express my disappointment. That is also the reason for the two stars. Before this fiasco I probably would have given it 4 or 5 stars. Let me explain… Previously, you had the option to use the Linksys cloud solution to manage or set up a hotspot locally via the built-in web interface. The latest firmware update completely removes the ability to manage locally without warning, it also wipes your entire configuration and completely removes the ability to use a second Ethernet port. You need/want to use the LAG feature you paid for, it's a shame it's gone. And by the way, now you too are forced to use their new cloud management page. I do not like it? This is very bad because you CANNOT go back to the old firmware... you are stuck. Now they document these flaws on their website… The problem is you don't see any of them on the firmware update screen on the device. So if, like most people, you say a new firmware version is available, you'll probably also click OK and then boom, you're stuck. The UI has no warnings and not even a link to release notes warning of major changes. In my opinion this was done on purpose to trick you into moving to their new platform. What happens if/if they decide to disable their cloud management solution? Or make you pay for the privilege of accessing a management website? Well, if they don't change course and bring back the local administration option, then you've got a big, expensive paper scale. In the meantime, this update actually removes the previously mentioned features and functionality and has brought some stability as an added bonus. Questions are just for fun. I now have a nightly reboot schedule to keep things stable. Before this "improved" firmware, I could work for months without rebooting. So you basically get less, with no clear advantage. These can all be fixed if fixed in a future update, but for now, be wary of the firmware minefield that's been introduced. Get ready Linksys or I'll probably never buy from you again!