负担得起的无线路由器市场最近推出了许多设备。虽然它们不是最快的也不是最复杂的，但它们往往以无与伦比的价格提供人们需要的所有基本知识。这个利基市场中最新的路由器之一是TP-Link Archer C1200。这款WiFi 路由器(WiFi router)价格低廉，任何人都能负担得起，并提供现代硬件和(hardware and support)对最新主流无线(mainstream wireless)技术的支持。它是您家庭联网的合适选择吗？阅读此评论并了解：
TP-Link Archer C1200擅长(TP-Link Archer C1200 good)什么？
TP-Link Archer C1200是一款入门级的无线路由器(wireless router)，非常适合中小型公寓，以及不想要太多高级功能的用户。
它以良好的速度和质量(speed and quality)以及非常实惠的价格提供现代无线网络。(wireless networking)
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优点和缺点
TP-Link Archer C1200有几个很棒的地方：
- 非常实惠的价格
- 它包含了人们需要的所有基础知识，包括智能手机应用程序(smartphone app)
- (Modern hardware)提供优质WiFi的(WiFi)现代硬件
- 您在 5GHz无线网络上获得的速度是其(wireless network)价格范围内(price range)路由器的最佳速度之一
- 它可以安装在墙上
还有一些缺点：
- 智能手机应用程序(smartphone app)只有在您连接到路由器广播的WiFi时才能使用(WiFi)
- 该路由器是指纹和灰尘磁铁(fingerprint and dust magnet)
判决
TP-Link Archer C1200是TP-Link Archer C7的继任者，它在各个方面都击败了它的前身。它是一款现代入门级路由器(entry level router)，具有最新的硬件和 WiFi 技术(hardware and WiFi technology)。它的价格非常实惠，它提供了人们建立公寓网络所需的所有基本功能。只要您没有大房子或公寓(home or apartment)和很多设备，TP-Link Archer C1200就是您可以买到的最实惠的路由器之一。
TP-Link Archer C1200 拆箱
TP-Link Archer C1200装在一个大纸板箱中(cardboard box)，带有平静的白色和绿色。在顶部，您可以看到这款AC1200 无线(AC1200 wireless)路由器的图片，以及它最重要的特性。
在包装盒的背面，TP-LINK显示了有关(TP-LINK)TP-Link Archer C1200主要功能的详细信息，并与公司产品组合中的其他路由器进行了比较。我们可以看到这款路由器是老款TP-Link Archer C7(TP-Link Archer C7)的继任者。它还与这款旧型号共享外观，您可以在拆箱时亲眼看到。
在包装盒内，您将找到以下物品：路由器、电源适配器(power adapter)、网线(network cable)、快速安装指南、技术支持信息(support information)、保修和一份关于TP-LINK的Neffos 系列(Neffos line-up)智能手机的宣传单。如果您对他们的智能手机感到好奇，请阅读这篇评论：TP-Link Neffos X1。
TP-Link Archer C1200 提供的拆箱体验快速而轻松。在这款无线路由器的包装内，您会找到所有常用配件，没有额外配件。(The unboxing experience offered by TP-Link Archer C1200 is quick and painless. Inside the packaging of this wireless router, you will find all the usual accessories and no extras.)
硬件规格和设计
TP-Link Archer C1200配备Broadcom BCM47189 处理器(Broadcom BCM47189 processor)，运行频率为 900 MHz，128 MB RAM和 16 MB 固件存储空间。它提供对 2x2 MU-MIMO 的(MU-MIMO)支持，非常适合经济实惠的路由器。它是一款双频无线路由器(wireless router)， 5 GHz 频段(GHz band)的总最大带宽为 867 Mbps，2.4 GHz 频段(GHz band)的总带宽为300 Mbps，总最大带宽为 1167 Mbps。它支持以下网络标准：IEEE 802.11a、802.11b、802.11g、802.11n 和 802.11ac。
在路由器的背面，您会发现以下元素：电源插孔(Power jack)、电源按钮(Power button)、重置插孔(Reset jack)、USB 2.0端口、互联网端口(Internet port)、四个工作速度为 1 Gbps的以太网端口和WPS 按钮(WPS button)。还有三个外置天线无法从路由器机身上拔下。
在路由器的底部，您可以找到一些用于将其安装在墙壁上的插槽，非常有用。
关于尺寸，TP-Link Archer C1200并不是很大：宽9.6英寸或243毫米，深6.4英寸或160.6毫米，高1.3英寸或32.5毫米。此外，它重 1045 克或 2.3 磅。
如果您想了解这款WiFi 路由器(WiFi router)的官方规格，请访问此页面：TP-Link Archer C1200 规格(TP-Link Archer C1200 Specifications)。
设置和使用TP-Link Archer C1200
设置TP-Link Archer C1200并非难事。如果您遵循快速入门指南(start guide)，您将在几分钟内完成。快速设置向导(setup wizard)首先建议您更改默认用户名和密码(default username and password)。我们强烈建议您不要使用 admin/admin 并更改admin 用户(admin user)的名称，而不仅仅是密码。
快速设置向导(setup wizard)首先会询问您所在的时区(time zone)。然后它会帮助检测您的互联网连接类型并询问(connection and asks)必要的连接详细信息。下一步，它会要求您设置基本的WiFi设置，例如网络名称(network name)和密码，然后显示您的初始设置摘要并测试您与互联网的连接。
完成后，您将看到管理用户界面。它使用蓝色、白色和绿色等平静的颜色，并有逻辑地组织，因此您可以轻松找到所需的东西。固件首先显示其基本设置，这是大多数用户会摆弄的地方。但是，如果您想要真正的个性化，您必须转到“高级(Advanced)”选项卡。
在这里，您将找到可用于TP-Link Archer C1200 的(TP-Link Archer C1200)所有设置。此外，界面的细节更加拥挤。知识渊博的用户在寻找他们想要的方式和设置事物方面(way and settings things)不会有问题。
但是，初学者和经验不足的用户将不得不访问帮助文档(help documentation)。幸运的是，它很容易获得，只需单击每个带有设置的页面右上角的问号即可。(question mark)单击(Click)它，您会看到页面上所有设置的详细说明。
用户界面(user interface)有多种语言版本，您可以在下面看到。它不如其他品牌的路由器那么好，但总比只有英文版(English)的所有东西要好。
为了管理您的路由器，您还可以访问适用于Android和iOS的(iOS)TP-Link Tether应用程序。我们只测试了安卓版本(Android version)。使用此应用程序，您可以更改如下所示的基本设置。此外，只有当您的智能手机连接到由TP-Link Archer C1200广播的WiFi时，您才能执行此操作。
此外，通过它，您可以快速查看路由器的运行状态：连接了多少设备、查看WiFi密码等。
我们希望TP-Link Tether应用程序在您不在家时也能使用。但是，此功能似乎仅保留给TP-Link产品组合中更高级的路由器。
完成所有配置后，我们将所有设备连接到网络：台式电脑、平板电脑、笔记本电脑、智能插头、智能灯泡、无线打印机、控制台和智能手机。我们在连接它们时没有任何问题，而且我们在大多数房间都享有稳定的连接。然而，在我们的测试公寓(test apartment)的两个地方，其他价格实惠的路由器也往往会遇到困难，我们经历了一些随机断开连接或一段时间WiFi速度较慢，主要是在 2.4 GHz 频段(GHz band)上。
我们发现的另一个小问题是TP-Link Archer C1200是灰尘和指纹(dust and fingerprints)的磁铁。如果您想让它看起来不错，您可能需要比其他路由器更频繁地清洁它。
如果您想了解TP-Link Archer C1200提供的真实性能，以及与其他AC1200路由器的比较，请转到本评论的下一页。
Reviewing the TP-Link Archer C1200: The new king of affordable routers?
The market of affоrdable wireless routers has seen mаny dеviceѕ launched recently. Whіle they are not the fastest nor the most complex, they tend to offer all the basics people need, at unbeatable prices. One of the newest routers in this niche is ΤР-Link Archer C1200. This WiFi router comes at a low price that anyone can afford and offers modern hardware and support for the lаtest mainѕtream wireless technologies. Is it a suitable choice for netwоrking your home? Read this rеview and find oυt:
What is the TP-Link Archer C1200 good at?
TP-Link Archer C1200 is an entry-level wireless router that is a very suitable choice for small and medium-sized apartments, and users who don't want many advanced features.
It offers modern wireless networking, at good speed and quality, and a very affordable price.
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Pros and cons
There are several great things about the TP-Link Archer C1200:
- Very affordable price
- It packs all the basics people need, including a smartphone app
- Modern hardware that offers good quality WiFi
- The speed you get on the 5GHz wireless network is one of the best for a router in its price range
- It can be mounted on walls
There are also a few downsides:
- The smartphone app can be used only when you are connected to the WiFi that is broadcast by the router
- This router is a fingerprint and dust magnet
Verdict
TP-Link Archer C1200 is the successor to the TP-Link Archer C7, and it beats its predecessor in every regard. It is a modern entry level router, with up-to-date hardware and WiFi technology. Its price is very affordable, and it offers all the basics people need for networking their apartments. As long as you don't have a large home or apartment and many devices, TP-Link Archer C1200 is one of the best affordable routers that you can buy.
Unboxing the TP-Link Archer C1200
TP-Link Archer C1200 comes in a large cardboard box with calming white and green colors. On the top, you can see a picture of this AC1200 wireless router, as well as its most important characteristics.
On the back of the box, TP-LINK displays detailed information about the major features of the TP-Link Archer C1200 and a comparison with other routers in the company's portfolio. We can see that this router is the successor to the old TP-Link Archer C7. It also shares its looks with this older model, as you can see for yourself when you unbox it.
Inside the box, you will find the following items: the router, the power adapter, a network cable, the quick installation guides, technical support information, the warranty and a leaflet about TP-LINK's Neffos line-up of smartphones. If you are curious about their smartphones, read this review: TP-Link Neffos X1.
The unboxing experience offered by TP-Link Archer C1200 is quick and painless. Inside the packaging of this wireless router, you will find all the usual accessories and no extras.
Hardware specifications and design
TP-Link Archer C1200 comes with a Broadcom BCM47189 processor, running at 900 MHz, 128 MB of RAM and 16 MB of storage for the firmware. It offers support for 2x2 MU-MIMO, which is ideal for an affordable router. It is a dual-band wireless router with a total maximum bandwidth of 867 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band, leading to a total maximum bandwidth of 1167 Mbps. It offers support for the following networking standards: IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac.
On the back of the router, you will find the following elements: the Power jack, the Power button, a Reset jack, a USB 2.0 port, the Internet port, four Ethernet ports that work at 1 Gbps, and the WPS button. There are also three external antennas which cannot be unplugged from the body of the router.
On the bottom of the router, you can find some slots for mounting it on walls, which are very useful.
Regarding size, TP-Link Archer C1200 is not very large: it is 9.6 inches or 243 mm in width, 6.4 inches or 160.6 mm in depth, and 1.3 inches or 32.5 mm in height. Also, it weighs 1045 grams or 2.3 pounds.
If you would like to learn the official specifications of this WiFi router, go to this page: TP-Link Archer C1200 Specifications.
Setting up and using the TP-Link Archer C1200
Setting up the TP-Link Archer C1200 is not a difficult task. If you follow the quick start guide, you will be finished in a couple of minutes. The quick setup wizard starts by recommending that you change the default username and password. We highly recommend that you don't use admin/admin and also change the name of the admin user, not only the password.
The quick setup wizard first asks for the time zone you are in. It then helps detect the type of your internet connection and asks for the necessary connection details. For the next step, it asks you to set basic WiFi settings like the network name and the password and then shows a summary of your initial settings and tests your connection to the internet.
When you are done, you get to see the administration user interface. It uses calming colors like blue, white and green and it is organized logically, so that you can find what you need, with ease. The firmware first displays its basic settings, and this is where most users will fiddle. However, if you want real personalization, you must go to the Advanced tab.
Here you will find all the settings that are available for TP-Link Archer C1200. Also, the interface is a lot more crowded with details. Knowledgeable users won't have issues in finding their way and settings things the way they want to.
However, beginners and less experienced users will have to access the help documentation. Luckily, it is easily available, with a click on the question mark that is found in the top-right corner of every page with settings. Click on it, and you see a detailed description of all the settings that are found on the page.
The user interface is available in a couple of languages, which you can see below. It is not as great as on the routers of other brands, but it is better than having everything available only in English.
For administering your router, you also have access to the TP-Link Tether app for Android and iOS. We tested only the Android version. With this app, you can change basic settings like the ones you see below. Also, you can do this only when your smartphone is connected to the WiFi that is broadcast by TP-Link Archer C1200.
Also, with it, you can quickly check the status of your router's operations: how many devices are connected, view the WiFi passwords and so on.
We wished that the TP-Link Tether app was usable also when you are not at home. However, this feature seems to be reserved only for more premium routers from TP-Link's portfolio.
Once we were done configuring everything, we connected all our devices to the network: desktop computers, tablets, laptops, smart plugs, smart bulbs, wireless printers, consoles, and smartphones. We had no issues in connecting them, and we enjoyed stable connections in most rooms. However, in two places of our test apartment, where other affordable routers also tend to struggle, we experienced some random disconnections or periods of time with slow WiFi, mostly on the 2.4 GHz band.
Another minor issue that we identified is that TP-Link Archer C1200 is a magnet for dust and fingerprints. If you want to keep it looking good, you may need to clean it more often than other routers.
If you would like to see the real-world performance that TP-Link Archer C1200 offers, and comparisons with other AC1200 routers, go to the next page of this review.
