Linksys Velop是市场上最早的消费者网状(consumer mesh)网络系统之一，也是最漂亮、最昂贵的系统之一。它的价格自最初推出以来并没有降低多少，后来多次固件更新，我们有机会对其进行审查。如果您想知道Linksys Velop是否物有所值，请阅读我们的深入评论：
注意：(NOTE:)市场上有多种Linksys Velop网状系统。我们对硬件版本(hardware version) WHW03进行了测试和审查。
Linksys Velop：它对谁有好处？
这种全家庭网状WiFi 系统(WiFi system)适合以下情况：
- 想要在家中看起来很棒的高级设备的人
- 想要语音控制家庭网络的(home network)Alexa供电设备的所有者
- 喜欢通过智能手机设置和管理家庭网络的用户(home network)
优点和缺点
Linksys Velop具有以下优点：
- 美丽的设计
- 它易于使用和设置
- 两个频段的无线覆盖(wireless coverage)都很快：2.4 GHz和 5 GHz
- 它可以从互联网上的任何地方远程控制
- 它也可以通过网络浏览器进行管理(web browser)
- 它与亚马逊 Alexa 集成
- 强大的多语言支持
还有一些缺点需要考虑：
- 价格高于同类竞品
- 它不包括防病毒保护(antivirus protection)或入侵防御系统等安全功能(intrusion prevention system)
- 它有一些应该在未来的固件更新中修复的错误
- 你不能把它安装在墙上
判决
Linksys Velop是一款华丽的网状WiFi 系统(WiFi system)，价格优惠。设置类似于其他网状系统，两个无线频段的速度往往高于平均水平，尽管它不是您可以获得的最快的网状WiFi 系统。(WiFi system)它最大的缺点是价格。Linksys Velop比其竞争对手贵得多，同时缺乏您在竞争系统上发现的高级安全功能。这使它很难卖。其他网状WiFi 系统(WiFi system)提供(s offer)更多功能，物超所值。
拆箱Linksys Velop ( WHW03 ) 网状WiFi 系统(WiFi system)
Linksys Velop的包装美观优雅。在包装盒的顶盖上，您可以看到组成您刚购买的套件的三个设备、系统名称以及一些最基本的功能。
顶盖像书的封面一样打开。在内部(Inside)，您会立即看到构成网格的三个设备。除了(Alongside)它们，您还可以找到快速入门指南(start guide)、以太网电缆(Ethernet cable)、三个电源适配器和保修。
Linksys Velop AC2200 提供的开箱体验令人欣慰，不愧为高端设备。包装和 Velop 设备都很漂亮。您还可以获得设置和使用网状系统所需的所有配件。(The unboxing experience offered by Linksys Velop AC2200 is gratifying, worthy of a premium device. Both the packaging and the Velop devices are beautiful. You also get all the accessories you need to set up and use the mesh system.)
硬件规格和设计
每个Linksys Velop 站(Linksys Velop station)都有一个四核Qualcomm IPQ4019 处理器(Qualcomm IPQ4019 processor)，运行频率为 716 MHz，支持最新的网络标准，包括 802.11ac Wave 2和 2x2 MU-MIMO 传输。这三个设备各有 512 MB 的RAM和 4GB 的存储空间(storage space)，用于固件。Linksys Velop是一个三频段网状无线系统(mesh wireless system)，其总的最大理论带宽划分(bandwidth split)如下：
- 一个 2.4 GHz 无线(GHz wireless)频段为400 Mbps
- 两个 5 GHz 无线(GHz wireless)频段各867 Mbps
为了提供这种带宽，每个Velop都有六个内部天线，其中四个用于两个 5GHz 无线频段。在每个Velop 站(Velop station)内，还有一个蓝牙 4.0(Bluetooth 4.0)芯片，用于将站配对在一起。
如您所见，Linksys Velop 花鼓(Linksys Velop hubs)的设计令人愉悦。它们可以是白色或黑色，具体取决于您购买的颜色。(color variant)在两侧和顶部，有通风网格，用于有效冷却。在顶部，还有一个谨慎的LED，以不同的颜色亮起，以指示节点的状态。
每个Linksys Velop 站都与(Linksys Velop station)PC 扬声器(PC speaker)一样高，长宽高(width and height)分别为 3.1" x 3.1 " x 7.3 " 或 7.8 x 7.8 x 18.5 厘米。节点并不重，只有 17 盎司或 485 克. 在每个节点的底部，有两个 1 Gbps 以太网(Gbps Ethernet)端口，电源按钮(Power button)、重置插孔(Reset jack)和电源插孔(power jack)。
我们非常喜欢Linksys Velop的设计。无论您将它们放置在何处，这些电台看起来都很棒。他们唯一的次要设计问题(design issue)是他们没有将它们安装在墙上的系统。您只能将它们放在平坦的表面上。
如果您想阅读该产品的所有官方规格，请访问此页面：Linksys Velop 规格(Linksys Velop Specifications)。
设置和使用Linksys Velop ( WHW03 )
Linksys Velop的设置与任何其他网状WiFi 系统(WiFi system)的设置相同，您必须使用适用于Android或iOS的(iOS)Linksys 应用程序(Linksys app)。设置过程(setup process)使用蓝牙进行设备发现(device discovery)，因此必须在您的智能手机(Bluetooth)或平板电脑上启用(smartphone or tablet)蓝牙(Bluetooth)。如果您仔细按照说明进行操作，您应该能够在大约 10 到 15 分钟内设置系统。但是，通过蓝牙发现(Bluetooth)Velop节点时可能会出现问题. 我们在将最终节点添加到系统时遇到了问题，因此我们不得不再浪费 5 分钟来重置该节点，并将其放置在更靠近另一个已经是网格一部分的节点的位置。在我们这样做之后，一切都很顺利，我们完成了设置。
在初始设置过程中(setup process)，您只能提供互联网连接(internet connection)的详细信息，设置每个Velop 节点(Velop node)的位置，并输入系统广播的无线网络(wireless network)的名称和密码。与所有网状系统一样，Linksys Velop只广播一个网络名称(network name)，并且只使用一个密码来访问网络。一旦你完成创建网格，你应该寻找固件更新并安装它们。Linksys 移动(Linksys mobile)应用程序处理该过程，并且运行良好。固件(Firmware)更新可确保错误得到修复，并确保您获得网络的最新安全改进。
使用Linksys 移动(Linksys mobile)应用程序时，最好将其连接到您的Linksys Smart Wi-Fi 帐户(Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account)，这样您就可以从互联网上的任何地方远程控制您的网络。当你这样做时，你在家与否并不重要。您可以访问您的网络设置，查看哪些设备在线，并控制基本功能：访客访问、家长控制、设备优先级(device prioritization)以及一些可用的高级设置。
一个积极的方面是Linksys增加了对(Linksys)Linksys Velop的网络访问。高级(Advanced)用户喜欢此功能，因为它允许他们更好地控制其网状网络的工作方式。另一个积极的方面是基于 Web 的用户界面(user interface)和移动应用程序都支持 20 多种语言。
帮助(Help)很容易获得。使用移动应用程序时，您可以访问有关设置和使用Linksys Velop的教程，这是一个包含常见问题的数据库，以及通过电话直接联系Linksys 支持的说明。(Linksys support)
完成所有配置后，开始连接网络设备。使用网状WiFi 系统(WiFi system)时，网络设备只能看到一个正在广播的网络名称。(network name)支持 802.11ac标准(standard connect)的更昂贵的智能手机和笔记本电脑使用 5 GHz 频率(GHz frequency)连接到网络，而支持 802.11n标准(standard connect)的更便宜或更旧的设备则使用较慢的 2.4 GHz 频率(GHz frequency)连接到网络。
我们将各种设备连接到网络：台式电脑、笔记本电脑、平板电脑、智能手机、Xbox One控制台、一些智能插头、智能灯泡和无线打印机。我们在通过网络共享内容方面没有问题，并且WiFi 网络(WiFi network)覆盖范围基本稳定。但是，当通过网络传输数据时，我们确实注意到传输速度(transfer speed)有一些变化，高于我们的预期。
我们还注意到，当我们进行大型网络传输（例如通过网络复制 6 GB 文件(GB file)）时，我们的一些无线设备会出现短暂的连接中断。它们持续时间不长，但很明显。此外，并非所有设备都已断开连接，只有少数设备已断开连接。这意味着Linksys Velop使用的带宽管理算法(management algorithms)可以在未来的固件更新中得到改进，以便即使在通过网络传输大量数据时，它们也能提供更稳定的WiFi连接。(WiFi)
除了可以在固件更新中修复的一些小问题外，Linksys Velop 提供的用户体验令人愉悦。在使用移动应用程序和 Web 界面时，远程控制这个网格系统都很好。此外，多语言支持非常好。(Except for a few minor hiccups that can be fixed in firmware updates, the user experience offered by Linksys Velop is pleasant. Remote controlling this mesh system works well both when using the mobile app, and the web interface. Also, the multilingual support is excellent.)
如果您想详细了解Linksys Velop提供的真实性能，请转到本评论的下一页。
Linksys Velop review: What do you get from the most expensive mesh WiFi system?
Linksys Velop was one of the first consumer mesh networking systems on the market, one of the most beautiful, and the most expensive. Itѕ priсe has not lоwered much since its original launch, and many firmware updates later, we got the chance to review it. If you want to know whether Linksys Vеlop is worth the asking price, read оur in-depth review:
NOTE: There are several Linksys Velop mesh systems available on the market. We tested and reviewed the hardware version WHW03.
Linksys Velop: Who is it good for?
This whole-home mesh WiFi system is a suitable choice for:
- People who want premium devices that look great in their homes
- Owners of Alexa powered devices who want to voice control their home network
- Users who prefer to set up and manage their home network from their smartphone
Pros and cons
Linksys Velop has the following positives:
- Beautiful design
- It is easy to use and set up
- The wireless coverage is fast on both bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- It can be remotely controlled from anywhere on the internet
- It can be managed from a web browser too
- It is integrated with Amazon Alexa
- Great multilingual support
There are also downsides to consider:
- The price is higher than that of similar competing products
- It does not include security features like antivirus protection or an intrusion prevention system
- It has some bugs that should be fixed in future firmware updates
- You cannot mount it on walls
Verdict
Linksys Velop is a gorgeous mesh WiFi system, with a premium price. The setup is similar to that of other mesh systems, and the speed on both wireless bands tends to be higher than the average, even though it is not the fastest mesh WiFi system you can get. Its biggest downside is the price. Linksys Velop is a lot more expensive than its competitors while lacking the advanced security features that you find on competing systems. This makes it a tough sell. Other mesh WiFi systems offer more features and more value for your money.
Unboxing the Linksys Velop (WHW03) mesh WiFi system
The packaging for the Linksys Velop is beautiful and elegant. On the top cover of the box, you see the three devices that make up the kit you just bought, the name of the system, and some of its most essential features.
The top cover opens like the cover of a book. Inside, you immediately see the three devices that make up the mesh. Alongside them, you find the quick start guide, an Ethernet cable, three power adapters, and the warranty.
The unboxing experience offered by Linksys Velop AC2200 is gratifying, worthy of a premium device. Both the packaging and the Velop devices are beautiful. You also get all the accessories you need to set up and use the mesh system.
Hardware specifications and design
Each Linksys Velop station has a quad-core Qualcomm IPQ4019 processor, running at 716 MHz, with support for the latest networking standards, including 802.11ac Wave 2, and 2x2 MU-MIMO transfers. The three devices each have 512 MB of RAM, and 4GB of storage space, for the firmware. The Linksys Velop is a three-band mesh wireless system, with its total maximum theoretical bandwidth split as follows:
- 400 Mbps for one 2.4 GHz wireless band
- 867 Mbps each for the two 5 GHz wireless bands
To provide this bandwidth, each Velop has six internal antennas, four of which are used for the two 5GHz wireless bands. Inside each Velop station, there is also a Bluetooth 4.0 chip, for pairing the stations together.
As you can see, the design of the Linksys Velop hubs is pleasant. They can be either white or black, depending on the color variant that you purchase. On two sides and the top, there are ventilation grids, for efficient cooling. On the top, there is also a discreet LED that lights up in different colors, to signal the status of the node.
Each Linksys Velop station is as tall as a PC speaker with a size of 3.1" x 3.1" x 7.3" or 7.8 x 7.8 x 18.5 cm in length, width and height. The nodes do not weigh much, only 17 oz or 485 grams. On the bottom of each node, there are two 1 Gbps Ethernet ports, the Power button, the Reset jack, and the power jack.
We like the design of the Linksys Velop a lot. The stations look great anywhere you place them. Their only minor design issue is that they do not have a system to mount them on walls. You can only place them on flat surfaces.
If you would like to read all the official specifications of this product, go to this page: Linksys Velop Specifications.
Setting up and using the Linksys Velop (WHW03)
Setting up the Linksys Velop is the same as for any other mesh WiFi system, and you must use the Linksys app for Android or iOS. The setup process uses Bluetooth for device discovery, so Bluetooth has to be enabled on your smartphone or tablet. If you follow the instructions carefully, you should be able to set up the system in about 10 to 15 minutes. However, issues may arise with the discovery of the Velop nodes through Bluetooth. We encountered problems when adding the final node to the system, so we had to waste another 5 minutes to reset that node, and place it closer to another node that was already part of the mesh. After we did that, everything went smoothly, and we finished the setup.
During the initial setup process, you can only provide the details of your internet connection, set the location of each Velop node, and enter the name and the password for the wireless network that is broadcast by the system. As is the case with all mesh systems, Linksys Velop broadcasts only one network name and uses only one password for accessing the network. As soon as you are done creating the mesh, you should look for firmware updates and install them. The Linksys mobile app handles the process, and it works well. Firmware updates ensure that bugs get fixed and that you get the latest security improvements for your network.
When using the Linksys mobile app, it is a good idea to connect it to your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account, so that you can remote control your network from anywhere on the internet. When you do that, it does not matter where you are at home or not. You can access your network's settings, see which devices are online, and control the basics: guest access, parental controls, device prioritization, and the few advanced settings that are available.
One positive is that Linksys has added web access to the Linksys Velop. Advanced users appreciate this feature, as it allows them to get more control over the way their mesh network works. Another positive is that both the web-based user interface and the mobile app are available in more than twenty languages.
Help is easily available. When you use the mobile app, you get access to tutorials about setting up and using Linksys Velop, a database with frequently asked questions, and instructions for contacting Linksys support directly, over the phone.
When you are done configuring everything, start connecting your network devices. When using a mesh WiFi system, network devices see only one network name being broadcast. The more expensive smartphones and laptops that support the 802.11ac standard connect to the network using the 5GHz frequency, while cheaper or older devices that support the 802.11n standard connect to the network on the slower 2.4 GHz frequency.
We connected various devices to the network: desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, an Xbox One console, a few smart plugs, a smart bulb, and a wireless printer. We had no issues in sharing content over the network, and the WiFi network coverage was mostly stable. However, when transferring data through the network, we did notice a bit of variability in the transfer speed, higher than what we expected.
We also noticed that when we made large network transfers (like copying a 6 GB file over the network) some of our wireless devices had brief connection drops. They did not last long, but they were noticeable. Also, not all devices were disconnected, only a few of them. This means that the bandwidth management algorithms used by Linksys Velop could be improved in future firmware updates so that they offer stabler WiFi connections even when large sets of data are transferred over the network.
Except for a few minor hiccups that can be fixed in firmware updates, the user experience offered by Linksys Velop is pleasant. Remote controlling this mesh system works well both when using the mobile app, and the web interface. Also, the multilingual support is excellent.
If you want to know more about the real-world performance offered by Linksys Velop, go to the next page of this review.
