The Better Router: C3200 vs C1200?

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The Better Router: C3200 vs C1200?

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.
The Better Router: C3200 vs C1200?
The Better Router: C3200 vs C1200?
2019-10-28 18:41:06 - last edited 2019-10-29 22:47:34

C3200 vs C1200

 

I am wondering which router is the better.

 

I would classify that overall protection is the main qualifier and there are 2 sides to this scenario:

 

  • The Archer C3200 does seem more robust and stronger signal strength, but it hasnt had any firmware updates since July of 2017.  I dont know if any new exploits in the router and wifi protocols have happened since then.
  • The Archer C1200 seems to have a few more functions like NAT Boost (which I dont use as I like to enable DDoS protection) and Tx BeamForming (which the 3200 may have but the 1200 has an option to turn it on/off).  However, the C1200 does not let us rename the 'admin' login for the router and this has recently been exposed as a yuge weakness as hackers now only have to brute force the password.  I am surprised TP-Link hasnt updated this after a recent article showing some TP-Link routers with this issue.

 

 

So, as far as outright security, it does seem the C3200 is better as it allows us to rename the account that gives access to the router itself, yet since it hasnt had a FW update in so long that might not hold true still if wifi and breach exploits have been uncovered for its running protocols.  Meanwhile, the C1200 has a definite flaw in not being able to re-name the router account needed to login to the user interface.
 

Thoughts... Comments?

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Re:The Better Router: C3200 vs C1200?-Solution
2019-10-29 22:22:23 - last edited 2019-10-29 22:47:34

@PlayerOne 

 

The C3200 is end of life, meaning it is no longer bieng manufacturered. As far as firmware updates, only issues that pose a security risk to the router will it then be updated. As far as giving new features, say OneMesh, will not happen.

 

The C1200 is the current router, and will have new features or active development.

 

With the C1200, an alternative to using admin as the login is to bind the router with your TP-Link ID cloud account so the login would be the email, and password that was created. This applies to local and remote access.

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Re:The Better Router: C3200 vs C1200?-Solution
2019-10-29 22:22:23 - last edited 2019-10-29 22:47:34

@PlayerOne 

 

The C3200 is end of life, meaning it is no longer bieng manufacturered. As far as firmware updates, only issues that pose a security risk to the router will it then be updated. As far as giving new features, say OneMesh, will not happen.

 

The C1200 is the current router, and will have new features or active development.

 

With the C1200, an alternative to using admin as the login is to bind the router with your TP-Link ID cloud account so the login would be the email, and password that was created. This applies to local and remote access.

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Re:The Better Router: C3200 vs C1200?
2019-10-29 22:48:28

@Tony 

 

Thanks for the good information!

 

How do I bind it to my TP-Link Cloud ID?  I did not notice anything in the routers setting pages to do that?

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Re:The Better Router: C3200 vs C1200?
2019-11-04 22:40:20

@PlayerOne 

 

Log into your router, then go to "Basic" up top then on the left side select "TP-Link Cloud", log in with your TP-Link ID account. If you do not have one, you can register for one on the same page.

 

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