Why does Linksys still sell the WRT54GL?

[jpsulisz]

Hi TomsHardWare,

I'm a little confused on why the WRT54GL is still sold at $69.99 on their website? Here is a link on their website. I get that it was a really popular unit from 07-10, but Its specifications make it perform horribly comparing to routers today that cost half the price. Who exactly would buy this?

Before I get hate on that these guys are still usable in their open source-ness, I get that, but why not hit the local Goodwill up and get one for $4.99? Thats what I did.

 

[ThatVietGuy]

Not everyone wants to go to Goodwill.

For a good amount of people that router is perfectly fine. And for others that want to dabble with DD-WRT/Tomato/whatever it's an even better router.

I still use that model in my parent's house and have no complaints.

 

[SinxarKnights]

Hmm that is actually sorta weird isn't it? Unless there is a hardware change the WAN port can only get about 15 megabit/s (or maybe it was 20 i forget). Either way it was too slow for our 25 mb net and we had to switch it out. I was using Tomato forever on my G. What open source firmware are they talking about, DDWRT? I know Tomato is/was too big for the recent Gs and GLs.

 

[jpsulisz]

Not everyone wants to go to Goodwill.

For a good amount of people that router is perfectly fine. And for others that want to dabble with DD-WRT/Tomato/whatever it's an even better router.

I still use that model in my parent's house and have no complaints.

What is stopping someone for spending the extra $30 for the AC1200? Also, I understand Goodwill isn't for anyone, but Linksys has an official store on eBay, which you can buy this exact refurbished router for $20, that includes a warranty and PayPal buyer protection. So, while this router was great 10 years ago, who would buy this unit at full price in today's world to just install DD-WRT when other units can do the same?

 

[ThatVietGuy]

Well, you're giving "normal" people way too much credit. Not everyone cares for the latest and greatest and will usually buy whatever they find.

I suspect Linksys still sells the thing because they're basing it off the product's legacy and the fact that, obviously, someone is still buying the things.

 

[SinxarKnights]

Not everyone wants to go to Goodwill.

For a good amount of people that router is perfectly fine. And for others that want to dabble with DD-WRT/Tomato/whatever it's an even better router.

I still use that model in my parent's house and have no complaints.

What is stopping someone for spending the extra $30 for the AC1200? Also, I understand Goodwill isn't for anyone, but Linksys has an official store on eBay, which you can buy this exact refurbished router for $20, that includes a warranty and PayPal buyer protection. So, while this router was great 10 years ago, who would buy this unit at full price in today's world to just install DD-WRT when other units can do the same?

Well you do have to look at it from their end. If they are still manufacturing these they do make great access points and bridges, also an easy sell to people who don't know any better. While gigabit ethernet is still all the rage, I would hazard a guess and say surprisingly few home networks take advantage of it. I mean it is possible they upgraded the hardware in a recent revision, I don't actually know and I wouldn't buy one these days. Honestly it wouldn't surprise me if they did, as long as people get their expected internet speed they likely don't care that it is only a 10/100 router.

ed:

Well, you're giving "normal" people way too much credit. Not everyone cares for the latest and greatest and will usually buy whatever they find.

I suspect Linksys still sells the thing because they're basing it off the product's legacy and the fact that, obviously, someone is still buying the things.

Thats funny, you said the same thing but in far fewer words. I agree with you. people are still buying them without knowing what it is, just on the reputation.