New router/AP easy to flash new firmware OpenWrt

In that price / performance range, a thread with many opinions is

On your specific questions, in my opinion:

  1. TP-Link is no longer competitive with the ARM-based offerings from Zyxel and Linksys

  2. Many devices do not require serial connection to flash with OpenWrt at this time

  3. Not much more than that they have a marketing department

  4. Assuming that is the router you want, you can track its Amazon.uk price at CamelCamelCamel.com and make your own decision