TP-Link 推出了另一款经济实惠的无线路由器(wireless router)：TP-Link Archer C6。这是该型号的第二个硬件版本(hardware revision)，支持 802.11ac Wave 2 WiFi网络标准和 2x2 MU-MIMO 传输。它的内部硬件也出奇的好，应该能够以低廉的价格提供可靠的无线网络体验。我们是世界上第一个测试新的TP-Link Archer C6 v2的团队。如果您想知道它提供什么以及是否值得购买，请阅读此评论：
TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200：它对谁有好处？
该无线路由器(wireless router)适用于：
- 拥有中小型公寓的人
- 需要支持现代无线网络(wireless networking)标准的快速WiFi的用户(WiFi)
- 预算低的人
优点和缺点
以下是我们喜欢TP-Link Archer C6 v2 的(TP-Link Archer C6 v2)地方：
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- 非常实惠的价格
- 它的价格是一个快速的路由器
- 它包含了人们需要的大部分基础知识
- 帮助文档(Help documentation)易于访问
- 它可以通过智能手机上的移动应用程序进行管理（但不能从互联网上的任何地方）
- 它可以安装在墙上
还有一些缺点需要考虑：
- 固件仅提供英文(English)版本，而移动应用程序具有良好的多语言支持
- 它不会像其他TP-Link路由器那样自动检查新固件版本
- 它没有USB端口
判决
AC1200无线(AC1200 wireless)路由器市场非常拥挤。所有制造商都提供承诺以低价提供卓越性能的路由器。然而，只有少数制造商能够信守这一承诺，TP-Link(promise and TP-Link)就是其中之一。如果您正在寻找一款低价路由器，即双频，支持最新无线标准，并提供高于其他AC1200 无线路由器平均水平的(AC1200 wireless)用户体验(user experience)，您应该考虑购买新的TP-Link Archer C6 v2。
TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200无线(TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 wireless)路由器开箱
TP-Link Archer C6 v2采用青色盒子，顶部有无线路由器(wireless router)的大图。在侧面，您可以详细了解此路由器的功能和规格。
拆箱经验总结在下面的视频中：
在包装内，您可以找到以下内容：路由器、电源适配器、以太网线、快速设置指南、保修、TP-Link 使用的固件的许可证以及其他法律信息。(Inside the packaging, you find the following: the router, the power adapter, an Ethernet cable, the Quick Setup guide, the warranty, the license for the firmware used by TP-Link, and other legal information.)
硬件规格和设计
TP-Link Archer C6是一款闪亮的无线路由器(wireless router)，由塑料制成，顶部有几个LED灯，用于显示(LED)电源、(Power,)路由器广播的两个无线频段（2.4 和 5 GHz）、以太网(Ethernet)端口、连接到互联网和WPS。此外，它有四个不可拆卸的外部天线。(external antennas)
TP-Link Archer C6具有运行频率为 775 MHz的单核Qualcomm Atheros QCA9563 处理器(Qualcomm Atheros QCA9563 processor)、128 MB RAM （对于负担得起的(RAM)无线路由器(wireless router)来说相当多），以及用于固件的 8 MB存储空间。(storage space)该型号支持 802.11ac Wave 2标准和 2x2 MU-MIMO 传输。它还可以使用较旧的 802.11n/b/g 无线标准。总理论最大带宽(maximum bandwidth)为 1167 Mbps，拆分如下：2.4 GHz 频段为 300 (GHz band)Mbps，5 GHz 频段(GHz band)为867 Mbps。
在TP-Link Archer C6(TP-Link Archer C6)的背面，您可以找到五个千兆以太网(Gigabit Ethernet)端口，其中一个用于连接互联网。您还有电源(Power)插孔和电源(Power)按钮、重置(Reset)插孔和WPS 按钮(WPS button)。不幸的是，此型号没有USB 端口(USB port)。
在TP-Link Archer C6 v2的底部，您有两个用于将路由器安装在墙上的孔，这是一些用户会喜欢的功能。
路由器并不大：宽度、深度和高度为 9.1 × 5.7 × 1.4 英寸或 230 x 144 x 35 毫米。它也很轻，重 27 盎司或 767 克。
如果您想阅读该产品的所有官方规格，请访问此页面：TP-Link Archer C6 规格(TP-Link Archer C6 Specifications)。
设置和使用TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 无线(TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 wireless)路由器
TP-Link Archer C6的设置与许多其他无线路由器类似。快速设置向导(setup wizard)首先要求您为路由器创建密码。这是一种受欢迎的安全预防措施(security precaution)，您不应使用容易猜到的密码。如果TP-Link(TP-Link)允许我们个性化用于管理路由器的用户名，那就更好了。然后，快速设置向导(setup wizard)会要求您选择Internet 连接(internet connection)类型，并提供必要的连接详细信息。令人惊讶的是，它不像其他TP-Link路由器那样自动检测互联网的连接类型。(connection type)
在下一步中，您为路由器广播的WiFi频率设置名称和密码。在快速设置向导(setup wizard)结束时，您会看到初始设置的摘要，您可以测试互联网连接(internet connection)是否正常。
完成初始设置后，您可以加载管理用户界面。正如您在下面看到的，它看起来不错，并且使用了平静的颜色。设置分为两个选项卡：
- 基本(Basic)- 它显示网络地图(network map)、基本互联网和无线设置、家长控制和访客网络(guest network)设置。
- 高级(Advanced)- 当您想要完全控制和个性化(control and personalization)您的无线路由器时，这是您的理想之选。
基本设置很容易设置，即使对于初学者也是如此，我们建议您深入研究“高级(Advanced)”选项卡。它可以帮助您改进Archer C6的工作方式，并获得最佳的用户体验和性能(experience and performance)。我们注意到的一个不利方面是初始固件不支持多语言。一切都只有英文版(English)。同一家公司以前的 AC1200 无线(Previous AC1200 wireless)路由器提供七种或更多语言的固件。我们希望未来的Archer C6固件可以改善这种情况。积极的是帮助(Help)文档。它易于访问，并提供有关您在当前屏幕上看到的所有设置的详细说明。
我们注意到的另一个缺点是Archer C6的初始固件不会自动检查新固件版本，因此，用户不会收到有关此主题的通知。不幸的是，您所能做的就是手动检查固件更新，然后自己执行。考虑到很少有用户定期为他们的设备执行固件更新，这不是一个好方法。
路由器有一个闪亮的表面，是灰尘和指纹(dust and fingerprints)的磁铁。如果将路由器放置在可见的地方，则应不时对其进行除尘。顶部的LED(LEDs)相对隐蔽，不会惹恼用户。此外，它们可以从固件中关闭。
完成TP-Link Archer C6 v2路由器的设置后，我们将几台设备连接到网络：两台台式电脑、两台笔记本电脑、一台平板电脑、几部智能手机、一台Xbox One控制台、几个智能插头、一个智能灯泡(smart bulb)和无线打印机。它们都可以轻松连接，我们在通过网络传输媒体或共享文件和文件夹时没有任何问题。
在通过网络传输数据时，我们还研究了网络传输(network transfer)的可变性。下面您可以看到当我们在笔记本电脑上使用 5 GHz 无线(GHz wireless)网络时，在与路由器仅一墙之隔的房间中，网络传输是如何执行的。(network transfer)我们有快速的平均速度和合理的可变性，没有任何负下降。
当我们搬到一个与无线路由器(wireless router)隔着两堵墙的房间时，平均速度下降，可变性增加，但速度从未下降到 0，这有时会发生在质量较低的路由器上。
在 2.4 GHz 无线(GHz wireless)频段上传输数据时也发现了类似的趋势。
TP-Link Archer C6 v2 提供的用户体验总体不错。用户获得了他们需要的大部分基础知识，其性能对于大多数公寓和家庭网络来说都是可靠的。但是，也有一些缺点，例如缺少多语言固件，缺少对新固件版本的自动检查，以及设置向导不如同一公司的其他无线路由器智能。(The user experience offered by TP-Link Archer C6 v2 is generally good. Users get most of the basics they need, and its performance is reliable for most apartments and home networks. However, there are a few downsides too, like the lack of multilingual firmware, the lack of automated checks for new firmware versions, and the setup wizard that is a bit less smart than on other wireless routers of the same company.)
如果您想查看有关此路由器无线性能的详细信息，请转到本评论的下一页，进行详细的测量和比较。
Reviewing the TP-Link Archer C6 (v2): A good quality AC1200 wireless router
TP-Link has launched anothеr affordable wireless router: TP-Link Arсher C6. It is the second hardware revision of this model, with support for the 802.11аc Wave 2 WiFi networking standard, and 2x2 MU-MIMO transfers. It also has surprisingly good hardware inside, which should be ablе to offer a ѕolid wirelеss networking experience, at a low price. We аre the first team in the world to test the new TP-Link Archer C6 v2. If you want to know what it haѕ to offer, and whether it is worth buying, read this review:
TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200: Who is it good for?
This wireless router is a suitable choice for:
- People with small or medium-sized apartments
- Users who desire fast WiFi with support for modern wireless networking standards
- People with a low budget
Pros and cons
Here are the things we like about TP-Link Archer C6 v2:
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- Very affordable price
- It is a fast router for its price
- It packs most of the basics people need
- The Help documentation is easily accessible
- It can be administered from a mobile app on your smartphone (but not from anywhere on the internet)
- It can be mounted on walls
There are a few downsides to consider as well:
- The firmware is available only in English, while the mobile app has good multi-lingual support
- It does not automatically check for new firmware versions like other TP-Link routers do
- It does not have a USB port
Verdict
The market for AC1200 wireless routers is very crowded. All the manufacturers offer routers that promise to deliver excellent performance at a low price. However, only a few manufacturers can keep this promise and TP-Link is one of them. If you are looking for a low-price router, that is dual-band, with support for the latest wireless standards, and that offers a user experience above the average of other AC1200 wireless routers, you should consider buying the new TP-Link Archer C6 v2.
Unboxing the TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 wireless router
TP-Link Archer C6 v2 comes in a cyan box with a big picture of the wireless router on the top. On the sides, you have a detailed description of the features and specifications of this router.
The unboxing experience is summarized in the video below:
Inside the packaging, you find the following: the router, the power adapter, an Ethernet cable, the Quick Setup guide, the warranty, the license for the firmware used by TP-Link, and other legal information.
Hardware specifications and design
TP-Link Archer C6 is a shiny wireless router, made of plastic, with a few LED lights on the top for things like Power, the two wireless bands broadcast by the router (2.4 and 5 GHz), the Ethernet ports, the status of the connection to the internet, and for WPS. Also, it has four external antennas which are non-detachable.
TP-Link Archer C6 has a single-core Qualcomm Atheros QCA9563 processor running at 775 MHz, 128 MB of RAM (quite a lot for an affordable wireless router), and 8 MB of storage space for the firmware. This model offers support for the 802.11ac Wave 2 standard, and 2x2 MU-MIMO transfers. It can also work using the older 802.11n/b/g wireless standards. The total theoretical maximum bandwidth is 1167 Mbps, split as follows: 300 Mbps for the 2.4 GHz band, and 867 Mbps for the 5 GHz band.
On the back side of TP-Link Archer C6, you can find five Gigabit Ethernet ports, one of which is used for the connection to the internet. You also have the Power jack and the Power button, the Reset jack, and the WPS button. Unfortunately, there is no USB port on this model.
On the bottom of TP-Link Archer C6 v2, you have two holes for mounting the router on walls, a feature that is going to be appreciated by some users.
The router is not large: it is 9.1 × 5.7 × 1.4 inches or 230 x 144 x 35 mm in width, depth, and height. It is also rather light, weighing 27 ounces or 767 grams.
If you would like to read all the official specifications of this product, go to this page: TP-Link Archer C6 Specifications.
Setting up and using the TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 wireless router
The setup of the TP-Link Archer C6 is similar to that of many other wireless routers. The quick setup wizard first asks you to create a password for your router. It is a welcome security precaution, and you should not use a password that is easy to guess. It would have been even better if TP-Link allowed us to personalize the username used for administering the router. Then, the quick setup wizard asks you to choose the type of your internet connection, and provide the necessary connection details. It was surprising to see that it does not auto-detect the internet's connection type like other TP-Link routers do.
During the next step, you set the name and the password for the WiFi frequencies that are broadcast by the router. At the end of the quick setup wizard, you are shown a summary of your initial settings, and you can test whether the internet connection is working or not.
After you are done with the initial setup, you can load the administration user interface. As you can see below, it looks good, and it uses calming colors. The settings are split into two tabs:
- Basic - it displays a network map, basic internet and wireless settings, the parental controls, and the guest network settings.
- Advanced - this is the place to go when you want complete control and personalization over your wireless router.
The basic settings are easy to set, even for beginners, and we recommend that you delve into the Advanced tab. It helps you improve the way Archer C6 works, and get the best user experience and performance. One negative aspect that we noticed is that the initial firmware has no multilingual support. Everything is available only in English. Previous AC1200 wireless routers from the same company offered the firmware in seven languages or more. We hope that future firmware for Archer C6 improves this situation. A positive is the Help documentation. It is easy to access and offers detailed explanations about all the settings you see on the current screen.
Another downside that we noticed is that the initial firmware for Archer C6 does not automatically check for new firmware versions, and as a result, the user receives no notifications on this subject. Unfortunately, all you can do is manually check for firmware updates, and perform them yourself. This is not a great approach, considering how few users regularly perform firmware updates for their devices.
The router has a flashy surface that is a magnet for dust and fingerprints. If you place the router somewhere visible, you should dust it from time to time. The LEDs on the top are relatively discreet and do not annoy users. Also, they can be turned off from the firmware.
After we were done setting up the TP-Link Archer C6 v2 router, we connected several devices to the network: two desktop PCs, two laptops, one tablet, several smartphones, an Xbox One console, several smart plugs, one smart bulb, and a wireless printer. They all connected with ease, and we had no problems in streaming media over the network, or in sharing files and folders.
When transferring data through the network, we also looked at the variability of network transfers. Below you can see how a network transfer was performed when we used the 5 GHz wireless network, on a laptop, in a room that was separated from the router by just one wall. We had both a fast average speed and reasonable variability, without any negative drops.
When we moved to a room separated by two walls from the wireless router, the average speed dropped, and the variability increased, but the speed never fell to 0, as sometimes happens with lower quality routers.
Similar trends were noticed when transferring data on the 2.4 GHz wireless band too.
The user experience offered by TP-Link Archer C6 v2 is generally good. Users get most of the basics they need, and its performance is reliable for most apartments and home networks. However, there are a few downsides too, like the lack of multilingual firmware, the lack of automated checks for new firmware versions, and the setup wizard that is a bit less smart than on other wireless routers of the same company.
If you want to see the details about the wireless performance of this router, go to the next page of this review, for detailed measurements and comparisons.
