Netgear WNDR3700 Vs The WNDR37AV - Less Is More!

Both these high performance wireless routers look identical yet their packaging and pricing are slightly different. They appear to have the same features yet one can be had for considerably less than the other. Since there is no direct comparison between the two this can lead to confusion and frustration.

The purpose of this article is to clear up the confusion for you and help you find the best deal on the "Ultimate Networking Machine"

Which Is Better?

So what's the difference? Is the newer WNDR37A superior in some way? Are you depriving yourself of some important performance feature by going with the "older" WNDR3700? Happily the answer to both
these questions is "No!"

In terms of features both routers are identical. They both have the same sleek design, Gigabit wired switch, simultaneous dual N bands, eight internal antennas and blazing fast 680MHZ processor. The newer WNDR37AV packaging features a new "video mode" which optimizes HD data streaming while the WNDR3700 doesn't. So what exactly does the WNDR37AV have that the WNDR3700 doesn't? Nothing!

And The Winner Is...

The Consumer! The newer WNDR37AV is actually the same hardware as the WNDR3700. If you look closely at the specs for both models on the Netgear website you will see they both have the same latest firmware revision (1.0.1.98). This is not something that happens "by coincidence" with different hardware models. The reason they are at the same firmware revision is they are both the same piece of hardware!

Consumers even report purchasing boxes that say WNDR3700 on the outside only to find a WNDR37A on the inside and visa versa. So what gives? It's all marketing hocus pocus! Netgear has simply redone their naming convention similar to the way Linksys did with their new "E" series. The newer AV packaging is simply part of a marketing push to attract the gaming crowd.

For several months there was a lot of consternation from Netgear customers that Netgear had abandoned the 3700 hardware in favor of the 37AV. This would mean that after only a year they "got stuck" with a piece of hardware that could never be improved by firmware upgrades. Happily this is not the case!

Finding The Best Deal

Netgear has renamed the WNDR3700 to the WNDR37Av The resulting confusion in the marketplace has caused Netgear WNDR3700 prices to drop and WNDR37AVs to become scarce even though they are identical router. As of this writing and the only real difference between the two is the box!