Sometimes, a company adds a “gaming” moniker to a product to add an increased level of assurance that this is a high-end product with extra features and durability. Surprisingly, the ASRock G10 “gaming router” appears to be an understatement.
Let’s start with the G10’s appearance. It looks nothing like a router, and more like a mini PC or even a gaming console. The angular lines and angry red colourway are the only “gaming” hints that this product gives, but there are no protruding antennas to really say it is a router.
Turn it around the back, and you’ll begin to see semblances of a router. There are four gigabit ethernet ports (with an additional one for the detachable HDMI dongle – more on that later) while two USB 3.0 ports give this router the ability to turn into a personal cloud storage solution with its own dedicated app. Inside, there are actually eight dipole high-power antennas with ASRock’s Beamforming technology, which optimises performance, enhances wireless coverage and improves connection stability.
Add in Multi-User MIMO technology, maximum theoretical transfer speeds of 1,733Mbps on the 5GHz channel, as well as the ability to prioritise bandwidth for online gaming over other connections make this one of the most powerful routers around – and we’re not even done talking about it yet.
Now, about that detachable HDMI dongle…ASRock has basically provided its own version of the Google Chromecast on this router, and added a few tricks of its own. Called the Travel Cast, the dongle’s RJ45 port means it can turn a HDTV with no WiFi into a Smart TV, unlocking the ability to “cast” media onto the TV using well-known standards including Miracast, AirPlay and DLNA, allowing you to use your current Android or iOS device with it.
Finally, there’s the IR blaster located at the front of the router. Using the ASRock Router app, this allows users to control home appliances with infra-red remote controls using just their smartphones. The app works by “learning” the codes of other infra-red controlled devices, and grants users access to control it with a smartphone. It’s ASRock’s little IoT play, and is yet another feature on the router.
(Image: Linus Tech Tips)
As a premium router, the ASRock G10 will not come cheap. There are no official availability dates or prices available, but Japanese site PC Watch says the router would be available in the US at an expected price of $249 (about RM915) later in June.
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