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Since the NETGEAR Nighthawk AX12 is our first look at a new range, it comes with a new box design. Apart from the router, the contents are the usual external power supply with UK and EU plug options, plus a ribbon Ethernet cable.
The AX12 is a sizeable piece of kit. The two arms on either end lift up and lie flat inside the box. These house the eight antennas used by the WiFi system.
We couldn't help spotting the more than passing resemblance that the AX12 has to an Imperial Shuttle from the Star Wars films, and Darth Vader seemed completely at home next to the router.
If you're shooting a fan movie, the AX12 could make a great spaceship model. (Note Darth Vader is not included with the AX12… even if we think he should be!)
Unobtrusive is not a word you would use to describe the design of the AX12. However, as a statement of being aggressively up with the latest technology, this router's looks are sure to get attention – until everyone has one, of course.
There are actually buttons hidden near the front on the top. One is for turning the WiFi radios on and off, whilst the other enables WPS for rapid setup of client devices that support this system. There's also a row of status LEDs on the top at the back, but they're not visible until the unit is powered up and they are lit.
Since this is a premium router, it's reassuring to see the rear bristling with connectivity. There are two USB 3.0 ports, in between the power and reset buttons. Then there's a “Multi-Gig” port that provides Ethernet speeds up to 5Gbit, which will be great for hooking up a server or NAS box with this connection, or expanding the wired networking with NETGEAR's own SX10 gaming switch.
That's if the four regular Gigabit Ethernet ports aren't enough for you. The first two Gigabit LAN ports can also be aggregated for faster throughput, and of course the 5Gbit port can act as a fifth Gigabit port. You won't need to use one of these for the broadband WAN, either, as there's a separate Gigabit port for connecting your ADSL or cable modem.
Overall, then, there's precious little to fault the physical design of the AX12. It has comprehensive connectivity, looks futuristically mean, and has a reassuringly heavy and solid build.
