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by jeffbee 1642 days ago
Abstractly bogus, but on a rational analysis my TP-Link OnHub has already lasted wayyyyyyy longer than any other access point I've ever owned. Its predecessor, an ASUS RT-N66U, lasted barely two years.
3 comments

The Asus RT-N66U was released on ‎December 22, 2011 according to Amazon,[1] and the last official firmware update was on June 18, 2020.[2] That's 8.5 years of support (assuming no future updates) compared to the OnHub's 7-7.5 years.

More importantly, the Asus RT-N66U is still fully functional and still supported on the Asus Router mobile app.[3] Unlike OnHub, Asus routers that run on non-Google firmware have a web interface so the network settings will continue to be adjustable even after app support ends.

Older Asus routers, including the RT-N66U, tend to be supported by open source firmware like DD-WRT.[4] OnHub is not.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006QB1RPY

[2] https://www.asus.com/supportonly/rtn66u_(verb1)/HelpDesk_Dow...

[3] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.asus.aihom...

[4] https://forum.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_devices#As...

The N66U was basically a collection of shrink-wrapped CVEs and only a lunatic would allow it on their network. Mine burst into flames.
I'm not sure that it says anything good about Google that they built a solid piece of hardware only to purposely brick it for users after it worked well for too long.
Imagine how much longer it could've laster if Google wasn't about to remotely brick it.