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CES 2019: Netgear Unveils New Orbi 802.11ax Mesh Wi-Fi System for Gigabit Internet

Monday January 7, 2019 12:49 pm PST by Juli Clover
Netgear today announced a new version of its Orbi Mesh Wi-Fi System, which is equipped with 6th-generation Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax technology that supports gigabit wireless speeds.

According to Netgear, the Wi-Fi 6 version of the Orbi will allow for new performance benchmarks for Mesh Wi-Fi systems, delivery sustained gigabit wireless speeds across the home.


For those unfamiliar with Orbi, it is a multi-node mesh Wi-Fi system much like the Linksys Velop that Apple sells in its retail stores. With Orbi, the idea is to set up multiple Orbi access points throughout the home to ensure high-speed Wi-Fi coverage in all rooms.

The new Orbi Mesh Wi-Fi System features 1024 QAM with a 4x4 Wi-Fi 6 backhaul, for increased speeds, coverage, and capacity.

Wi-Fi 6 is the latest version of the Wi-Fi protocol, which will be baked into future computers, smartphones, tablets, and other devices. Accessories with Wi-Fi 6 support connected to a system like the Orbi will be able to achieve higher data transfer speeds.

No Apple devices take advantage of Wi-Fi 6 at this time, but it's likely to be built into future iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

Netgear says that its next-generation Orbi system is ideal for households that have a "multitude" of connected devices running high-bandwidth internet for purposes like 4K video streaming, always-on smart home devicds, and video monitoring security systems.

The Orbi with Wi-Fi 6 will be available in Netgear's Orbi RBK50 series in the second half of 2019.

Tag: NETGEAR
[ 84 comments ]


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Solomani
2 weeks ago
LOL still loving my (now discontinued) Apple Airport Extreme base station. It will do fine for a couple more years, and by then all computers (Macs and PCs) would fully support the new n Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax ('https://www.netgear.com/landings/ax-wifi/#orbi') standard.
Rating: 9 Votes
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TTTedP
2 weeks ago
and they still look awful.
Rating: 8 Votes
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jazz1
2 weeks ago
I've got the older version and it works great. The one near my living room window broadcasts far into my back yard.
Rating: 6 Votes
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pier
2 weeks ago
I have the current version and it's just awesome. The units are a bit bulky other than that I have zero complaints. Fast, long range, and easy to use.
Rating: 6 Votes
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Baymowe335
2 weeks ago
Why do I care about gigabit speeds when nothing seems to support it?

Still buffers on streaming and servers limit your top speed.
Rating: 4 Votes
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MN7119
2 weeks ago
I have the current Orbi RBK50 (Costco version that comes with main unite + 2 satellites). Although the units looks awful and it is a huge piece of plastic the system is fantastic. I live in a 4k sqfeet home and I get coverage up to 2 houses away from my house.
Rating: 4 Votes
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macduke
2 weeks ago
I might buy this. Was hoping EERO would come out with something on WiFi 6. I really need to upgrade my WiFi for mesh but have been holding out on WiFi 6 so I don't have to upgrade twice in the next couple years.
Rating: 4 Votes
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gbc204
2 weeks ago

Are these tall devices? I have not seen one in person, but they looking surprisingly large for a device that is suppose to be hidden around the house.

I have the older/current version, and they're not much taller than the AirPort Extreme I was using, though markedly wider. But I have the base tucked in the corner where the Airport was, and never notice it, and the satellite unit is sitting in a corner in my office and I forgot it was there until my kid accidentally unplugged it the other day. And I will say, it is REMARKABLY fast.
Rating: 3 Votes
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justperry
2 weeks ago

Why do I care about gigabit speeds when nothing seems to support it?

Still buffers on streaming and servers limit your top speed.



Future proofing.

I as many others have ac, have no issues with buffering but then again, I have Gig internet and Ubiquiti gear.
Rating: 3 Votes
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EBone12355
2 weeks ago

Mesh networks seem like such marketing hype, what's the difference between mesh and router + access points/extenders? I have Google Wifi with 2 points and honestly it's no better than my Airport Extreme + Airport Express was.

I have the Orbi RBK50 that is sold at Costco. What's special is you get one unified network to sign into - no 'My House 2.4G' 'My House 5G' 'My House 2.4 EXT' 'My House 5 EXT' like you do with access points and range extenders. So all your devices, regardless of whether they are 2.4 or 5G, all sign into one single network. In addition, the mesh systems automatically configure your "relays" once you place the units and turn them on, e.g. they automatically configure if the hubs connect directly to the main unit, or if they daisychain with each other for best coverage.

I've had my system for the past year now and it's been life-changing in my 3,400 SF two story home. No more dead spots, no having to switch to different wifi networks when changing rooms, and fast speed everywhere.
Rating: 3 Votes

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