The search for the perfect Wi-Fi router is a long one, and very context-specific. This Acer Predator Connect T7 Wi-Fi mesh system is designed with the latest and greatest specs, ready for Wi-Fi 7 devices, high internet speeds, and LAN parties.
But the fancy and quite good physical device is let down by an app that reaches for the worst of both worlds. It means that it’s quite well-suited to simple setups, for people who want to set it up and forget about it.
It’s also suited to those who don’t have to compete with neighbouring systems, or don’t have any specific needs. However, the rest of us who need something more complicated might be disappointed.
Table of contents
- First impressions
- Specifications and price
- Performance
- Speed
- Reliability
- App
- The good stuff
- Who is the Acer Predator Connect T7 for?
First impressions
My first impression of the device is that it’s a big, white cuboid. It’s a very solid-looking thing. While it’s not ugly per se, it’s also not exactly subtle or a decorative item. It’s one of those rare objects that is truly neutral. Not many people will particularly love the aesthetic, but by the same token, not many people will hate it. Well, except for the bright light on top, but you can turn that off.
Setting it up was reasonably easy with the app. The app goes for a 2000s aesthetic, which is to say that it looks like you have to type in source code. You don’t, but it has that vibe. If there’s nothing particularly specific you’re looking for, the setup process is smooth and easy, with the app taking care of most of it for you.
Acer Predator Connect T7 specifications and price
| Wireless standards | IEEE 802.11ac IEEE 802.11ax IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11n IEEE 802.11be |
| Frequency bands | 2.4GHz 5GHz 6GHz |
| Ports | 3 x 1GbE ports 1x USB 2.0 Type C |
| Gaming features | Intelligent device recognition Multi-link operation technology |
| Installed RAM | 1GB |
| Primary Storage Capacity | 512MB |
| Weight | 12.85kg |
| Size (HxWxD) | 21.2 x 10.9 x 10.9cm |
| Price (RRP) | $699 (single unit) $999 (2-pack) |
| Warranty | 24 months |
| Official website | Acer Australia |
There are a couple of things to call out here. Firstly, the price of $699 for a one-pack, or $999 for two, is decent. Yes, that is expensive for a router, but it’s not terrible for Wi-Fi 7 devices, and decent for these features.
The LAN speed of 1GbE is great for gamers, as are all the gaming-specific features designed to prioritise gaming traffic, and having profiles for different consoles.
Performance
My experience with the Predator Connect T7 was a bit mixed. It’s incredible under optimal conditions, but when those conditions change, things get a little interesting.
Speed
Helpfully, the Predator Connect T7 is ready for any internet speed currently available in Australia. It’s also braced for speeds that other countries might be able to enjoy.
I tested these speeds on my home internet, which is a 1000/1000Mbps plan from Pineapple Net. An Ookla speed test directly from the modem tests at 927Mbps up and 939Mbps down. I have the Predator Connect T7 connected at an inner city apartment with a tonne of interference.
Using a Wi-Fi 7 compatible iPhone 16 Pro Max, I get the following speeds:
- Next to the mesh controller: 381Mbps down / 938Mbps up
- In the baby’s room next to the other unit: 176/309
- In the living room: 340/363
- In the bedroom: 241/319
- Near the front door: 203/53
At first, when testing the system in the bedroom, it couldn’t connect to the internet at all. After I restarted the Predator Connect T7 again (I restarted it before beginning testing), it returned a result.
To connect to the 2.4GHz guest network, I had to restart the router for the third time in a day to get it to show up in the available networks, which was inconvenient. Once connected to the 2.4GHz only guest network, I got these speeds:
- Next to the mesh controller: 43/85
- In the baby’s room next to the other unit 1.41/1.45
- In the living room: 4.64/19.5
- In the bedroom 3.6/5.6
- Near the front door 3.8/0.86
Those results in the baby’s room explained why the baby monitor stopped working. Shortly after completing the tests, the guest network disappeared from the list of available options.
A lot of the issues here are because of congestion. It’s not clear whether the Predator Connect T7 automatically switches channels periodically based on congestion or if it only switches when the unit restarts. But there is no obvious way to change the channels in the app, or see what the congestion is like, which is weird, given that’s a feature in a lot of other router apps.
This isn’t as much of a problem for people who don’t live in large apartment buildings or the inner city. But for those who do, it’s something to keep in mind.
Reliability
For the most part, the Predator Connect T7 is pretty reliable. I only have to restart it if the internet is getting a bit slow, or if I want to enjoy the guest network for 15 minutes at a time. The unit that I currently have has never stopped working unexpectedly or had any undue issues. I did previously have a faulty unit, but the nice Acer PR people swapped that out quickly, which solved all the problems I’d been having with the previous unit.
Though I would like to flag that if you have any problems, you might be in trouble. When I was having issues with my initial unit, I couldn’t access the Acer support page, and finding the phone support number was significantly more difficult than it should be.
When I eventually called the support number, I got an error message saying it was down due to technical difficulties. I then found a bunch of Reddit posts about issues with the Acer support website. When I mentioned these issues to the tech support person Acer PR connected me to, he said he had never heard of any of these issues.
App
The Predator Connect T7 app is bad, and it combines the worst of both worlds. It’s not particularly user-friendly, uses tech-y language that casual tech users likely won’t understand, and doesn’t explain any of the terms. But then it doesn’t actually allow people with tech knowledge to do basic things like select specific channels. You get some access to channel information on the web app, but you aren’t directed there at any time (you’re just directed to the more limited mobile app). It’s also just really slow to use.
You knew there had to be a corner cut somewhere to get a Wi-Fi 7 mesh system down to this price, and that corner was the app.
The good stuff
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. I really love that the parental controls and security features aren’t locked behind a subscription. Too many premium routers do that these days, and it’s a scummy thing to do on a premium device. Acer earns a lot of brownie points from me for that.
Also, the Predator Connect T7 is clearly set up for gamers, with Hybrid QoS for traffic prioritisation and very low latency connections for LAN parties.
Plus, the ability to separate out the different bands into different networks is important. It lets you assign smart home devices on a separate 2.4GHz network for maximum compatibility.
Who is the Acer Predator Connect T7 for?
The Acer Predator Connect T7 is for people who are after a Wi-Fi 7 mesh system who live in an area that doesn’t have a lot of wireless congestion, and who don’t want to do a lot of customisation with their settings.
In terms of features, the Predator Connect T7 can compete with much more expensive systems. It’s just let down by its limited app and lacklustre tech support.
The post Acer Predator Connect T7 review: Mostly very good appeared first on GadgetGuy.
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