Party pooper on the road!

The latter two properties I consider personally to be rather superfluous since in nearly 100% of the addressed with such a device purchaser audience probably already a reliable and constant WLAN environment is probably to be found in your own four walls, which an operation as a wireless router and / or Repeater is excluded almost entirely.

So my main focus is on the possible use as a mobile hotspot or 3G router while traveling, in the car, train or hotel.

The TP-Link itself proves in haptics as compatible, easy to use, chic and practical. The device is small, handy and easy to store. The usage time in battery mode is remarkable with nearly four hours Alternatively, the TP-Link can also be operated via USB port or directly to the power supply with the power cord contained in the delivery. In this regard, an entirely satisfactory standard.

Before Putting Into the update of the device is recommended to the new firmware. Basically, the TL-MR3040 is configured in the browser, the surface structure is clearly laid out and easy to understand and easy to understand with school English knowledge / use.

But the device holds the promise especially in mobile use?

In theory, the handling is easy. At the integrated USB port, an optional UMTS stick is attached, set up a mobile hotspot on the TP-Link and the to-use (no separate 3G) device can go to access the respective network.

In practice, the handling and usability, at least on a rural area is possible under certain conditions and with significant drawbacks. First, annoying the impossibility of the most necessary PIN entry for the UMTS stick, which must be disabled first using the software. After the desired access point is indeed built, but just breaking in changing conditions (ie when driving in a car / train or a change between Edge and 3G reception) regularly. As a major handicap thereby proves the fact that a new connection is established only after a complete reset of the TP-Link - this procedure is quite cumbersome, time-consuming and ultimately beyond the pale.

In idle state, ie when a connection example in a restaurant or a hotel, the router, however, is useful and provides with appropriate signal quality throughout a good reception - and transmit power, enough for a small network with up to five users.

My personal conclusion: in times when working hotspots / WLAN networks in pubs, cafes, airports and hotels slowly come as standard or as an alternative a tour virtually with a corresponding smartphone is possible into the network at any time, the mobile use of the TP proves Link 3040 personally too cumbersome and largely unnecessary for me. Especially the disconnections when traveling in connection with a time-consuming and totally fun consuming system reboot are not really serious alternative compared to a possible tethering with a smartphone. Two stars for the useful application possibility as receiver and / or repeaters in your own four walls - but it was probably not designed the device in the first place.