We've waited a long time for 802.11n, the next-generation wireless networking standard, to be officially ratified. So long, in fact, that several networking companies are releasing products based on the Draft N version of the specification, which, as its name suggests, isn't the official standard. Still, companies claim that Draft N products should be firmware-upgradable to the final 802.11n spec when it's expected to be ratified in 2007. Is it worth jumping the gun and buying a Draft N router for the promised benefits of the 802.11n spec, such as improved throughput at longer ranges, courtesy of multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) technology? We review the first two Draft N routers from Linksys and Netgear to find out if you're better off waiting till next year to buy a router based on the official 802.11n standard.
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