What is the difference between the "Retail" and "Web" versions? Amazon offers both and the prices are slightly different.

M, my experience between retail and web usually refers to packaging. There is never been a difference in the product, just the packaging esthetics. By the way the ASUS RT-AC87U rocks. You won't be disappointed.

dose this router work with DSL or only Cable ???

This question is irrelevant to this device, but reflects a common misunderstanding due to makers mis-labeling their hardware.Key to understanding this is to understand the concepts of "LAN" ("local area network") and "WAN" ("wide area network"). The LAN is what you have inside of your home or business, while the WAN is what exists OUTSIDE of your home or business. The separation between LAN and WAN is your MODEM, not your ROUTER. Everything on the "inside" of the modem is your personal LAN (even if it's only one device) while everything outside is the WAN (typically, the only thing you'll see is an interface to your internet service provider and, most probably, a domain-name-server (DNS).A router is a SEPARATE piece of equipment with works on the "inside side" of your modem. It basically transforms what is a single-connection (from the modem) into a sub-network (complete with its own addressing scheme) which operates entirely within your home. If your internet service provider goes away, your LAN still works perfectly well, though you won't be able to connect to the outside world.In addition to modems and routers, there are also "switches" which allow multiple devices to operate on a local area network, and "access points" which create wireless connections to the local area network.The confusion comes about because there are very, very few devices today which only have one of these items. Most of the time, you're buying a combination device. This specific device, for example, has a router, a wireless access point, and a 4-way switch, all in the single package. It does NOT have a modem, however. But many, many devices you can buy today do have a modem integrated as well.The reason I have this device (and previously a similar, but "Wireless-N-only" version from Asus) is because I want something which will run my home network. I keep a separate modem (a Motorola Surfboard modem) to connect to my cable-based internet service provider.However, the day is coming shortly when Google is going to be wiring my neighborhood for their direct-to-house fiber-optic internet... which is many, many times faster than the best possible cable-based internet. When this happens, I can swap out the MODEM... but can keep my router (and thus keep my inside-of-the-house network, including a network-attached-storage server and quite a few other devices) working flawlessly and without any real interruption or need for configuration. In fact, I can turn my modem off entirely and still stream media from my home server to my living room's entertainment center.So, the question "does this router work with" (name your internet service) is ALWAYS going to be an answer of "yes." But, only if coupled with "but you have to have a separate modem which works on that service."By the way... it's worth pointing out that you can add additional downstream switches to this... I have a 16-port Trendnet intelligent switch, with two lines from this going to the switch (in a special mode which combines two physical connections into one effective connection at twice the speed... double-gigabit LAN, basically). This then distributes throughout my home's hard-wired networking. So... if you need more than four outputs, it's EASY (and relatively inexpensive) to add them. But between those sixteen separate items from the switch, the total load drawn from the router can't ever exceed 2 gigabits per second, so if every device attached is a gigabit LAN device attempting to draw full speed, the router will have to take turns serving them, and the effect will be slower access.

Intelligent hand-off based on signal strength? Can I set up an AC87U as primary and AC68U as AP on same (2) signal SSIDs with "intelligent hand off?"

how do you do this, and is it really handing of smoothy (via a VOIP call for example) I ask because I am desperately looking to do this. please tell me your set up... I use Apple Time Capsule and Express system via Wire and the wireless roaming is excellent but I am unable to find this on many routers. let me know it is appreciated

RAM	256 MB
Wireless Type	802.11ac
Number of USB 2.0 Ports	1
Number of USB 3.0 Ports	1
Brand	ASUS
Series	RT-AC87U
Item model number	RT-AC87U
Operating System	Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 2003, Windows XP, Android
Item Weight	1.65 pounds
Product Dimensions	15.28 x 3.7 x 9.25 inches
Item Dimensions LxWxH	15.28 x 3.7 x 9.25 inches
Color	Black
Voltage	100240 Volts
Manufacturer	ASUS
ASIN	B00MPI5N7U
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer	No
Date First Available	August 25, 2014

ASUS RT-AC87U AC2400 Dual Band Gigabit WiFi Router, Aiprotection Lifetime Security by Trend Micro, Adaptive Qos, Parental Control

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