D-Link DWL-520 Wireless PCI Adapter, 802.11b, 11Mbps Review

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(More customer reviews)The following answer on the D-Link tech support site says it all: "The DWL-520 requires a PCI 2.2 compliant motherboard (3.3v) in order to function. If your PCI slot is 2.1 compliant, or if the PCI slot is using 5v, then the card won't be detected by Windows and unfortunately will not work." And how will you know if you have a PCI 2.2 compliant board? Essentially, you won't, until you try the card or dig deep into the specs on your computer's motherboard. I have a very reputable ASUS Pentium III motherboard, that won't recognize this card. Very frustrating...

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The DWL-520 from D-Link is a 802.11b PCI adaptor with data transfer rate up to 11 Mbps. It can operate in either Ad-Hoc mode (Peer-to-Peer networking without an Access Point) or Infrastructure mode (Peer-to-Peer networking using an Access Point), which brings high flexibility to your wireless network. The DWL-520 also supports high 128-bit WEP encryption to give you a secure wireless network. The adaptor has an effective range of up to 230 feet indoor and 984 feet outdoor, along with the 2.4 GHz Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) technology to ensure the robustness and efficiency of your data transmission.

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D-Link Skype USB Phone Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)I just got this from BEST BUY and the price was same as Amazon ($60), for now. I went out looking for a USB Skype Phone and bumped into this one and bought it right away. I am very pleased with this product and my purchase and would highly recommend it and here is why.
I have both SkypeIn (allows you to have a phone no. of your choice for 30 Euros, approx US$ 38, per YEAR.) and SkypeOut (allows you to call any phone in the world much like a prepaid phone card) and I wanted to be able to use Skype away from my PC/Laptop so that I was not "tied" to one place in my apartment. So I started looking into USB Skype phones. A good one with a cord costs around $ 40 and a good cordless one costs $ 80 (I am referring to the one from Linksys and that one doesn't have the best reviews in the world so I was bit skeptical). Now for $ 60, this adapter plugs right into your USB port and allows you to use any good old phone (corded or cordless) with Skype. It doesn't need any separate power supply and is a nice little self contained unit.
Installation was a breeze and took less than 2 minutes and no computer reboot was necessary. I fired up Skype and plugged in a old corded phone and was good to go!! I made and received calls via Skype using my old phone and the voice quality was great. Next, I tried a cordless phone and it worked great too. So now I have a wireless Skype phone and I am very pleased with it. Not to mention I am putting my old discarded phones to good use now.
You can use the same phone for both Skype and your regular phone line if you want to but since I got rid of my landline phone long time back I couldn't try that feature. So I can't speak for that part. The manual does say that it's possible. Overall, I would highly recommend this if you are looking to go wireless with Skype using your good old cordless phones or just want to have the convenience of using a corded phone away from your PC. Believe me, even if you have WiFi in your place you would still want this. I have WiFi but I would rather use a cordless phone to talk on Skype out on my deck rather than lug a laptop and a headset out with me. I think most of you would agree with me on that one. Also, Skype website has similar adapters for a little less money ($ 10 less I think), so you can check those out as well if you like. I was familiar with the D-Link brand name from before compared to the brands on Skype so I went in for this one.

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D-Link Skype USB Phone Adapter

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D-Link DWL-650 Wireless Cardbus Adapter, 802.11b, 11Mbps Review

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(More customer reviews)If all you want to do is use your laptop on the front porch, or in an unwired office at work, this adapter may be fine. But if you were lured into wireless by the promise of high speed internet access in airports, hotels, coffee shops and such, it is virtually worthless. To connect to a network, the DWL-650 must be specifically configured to have the same SSID (identifying name) as the network. That is fine if you only connect to one network and you know its SSID. It is a nuisance if you want to connect to several networks and have to reconfigure each time. It is fatal, however, if you want to connect to a strange network and do not know the SSID. Networks that are intended to be open to the public use "broadcast SSID" to send the network ID over the airwaves. Adapters that can receive broadcast SSID can then automatically configure themselves to log on. The DWL-650 cannot do that, and there are plenty of other comparably priced adapters that can.

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A notebook computer is all about portability, so why should your network cable keep you tethered to one place? The D-Link DWL-650 PC card Type-II 11 Mbps 802.11b wireless LAN adapter, known as the D-Link Air for short, gives you back your mobility, letting you connect to your home or office wireless network from whichever desk (or couch) you happen to be at. Plus, as wireless networks continue spreading to hotels, airports, and even coffee shops, it will help you keep connected no matter how far you travel.
The DWL-650 installed easily, as a PCMCIA card should. We just ran the setup program from the included CD and plugged the card into an empty Type-II slot on our notebook PC. Windows XP immediately recognized the card and installed the drivers. Then, using the D-Link configuration utility, we configured it for our specific LAN. Once connected to the LAN, the little green LED on the end of the card stopped blinking, telling us we were good to go. The printed manual and online help gave helpful guidance on getting the card installed and connecting to our network.
As we tested our wireless setup, we reveled in the freedom the D-Link Air gave us. Using it in a two-story house, we were able to go from room to room, never losing our Internet connection. We even could go outside on the patio and browse the Web from a chaise lounge. Of course, the card worked equally well in an office environment, letting us take our notebook from the conference room to the lunchroom without losing our network connection.
In general, we found that the construction of the walls between the wireless card and the access point had as much to do with reception quality as did distance. So, for instance, if you're separated from the access point by several thick walls, reception will be much poorer than if a glass partition is all that separates you. The manufacturer suggests a range of up to 328 feet indoors and up to 984 feet outdoors, and we found that to be a decent approximation of the maximum range you can expect. The D-Link control utility has a graphical status bar that shows the wireless signal strength, so it's easy to know when you've wandered too far.
At 11 Mbps, the speed's plenty fast for most uses, like browsing the Web, accessing a file server, updating a database, etc. You can also configure it to transmit at slower speeds, depending on your network environment. The card supports both 64-bit and 128-bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption, a vital feature that keeps your communications secret.
The D-Link Air will keep you well-connected whether at work, at home, or through a public WiFi (wireless fidelity) network at places like an airport or coffee shop. Since it's a PCMCIA card, it's easy to swap in and out if you need to use a wired connection in some places and wireless in others. Bottom line, if you have a notebook PC and have access to wireless capabilities, you'll love the freedom of movement this little card delivers. --Ken Feinstein
Pros:
Easy installation
Uses IEEE 802.11b standard for broad compatibility with wireless networks
Supports 64-bit and 128-bit encryption
Good range
Cons:
Not as fast as a 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet wired connection

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External Antenna Mini USB 2.0 Wifi Wireless-N High-Gain Network Adapter With High Gain 5dBi Dipole Antenna - Comply with 802.11n 802.11g and 802.11b Standards Review

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(More customer reviews)This product was defective and i tried different drivers and when i did get it to work it would work for a few seconds then windows declared it malfunctioning.

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Operating Range: Up to 500 meters (Depending on surrounding environment); Frequency: IEEE 802.11b: 2.4~2.497GHz. IEEE 802.11g: 2.4~2.4835GHz; Modulation Method: IEEE 802.11b: DBPSK / DQPSK / CCK. IEEE 802.11g: BPSK / QPSK/ 16QAM / 64QAM; Data Transfer Rate: IEEE 802.11b: 1, 2, 5.5, 11Mbps. IEEE 802.11g: 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54Mbps. 802.11n: 20Mhz up to 144Mbps, 40Mbps up to 300Mbps ; Security: 64/128bit WEP (Hex&ASCII). WPA, WPA-PSK, WPA2, WPA2-PSK, TKIP/AES; CE FCC RoHS compliant

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Cisco-Linksys WUSB54GC-BP Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)I had been using a NetGear adapter on my desktop and it was very slow. I could get no satisfaction from the support people. I got a Linksys and am much happier with the response time.

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NETGEAR WG111T Super-G Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)Although, this is a great deal: easy to setup, easy to install, easy to reset, etc., it does contain many problems.
One problem is that it heats up to quickly, mainly because its through USB, and USB travels really quick, especially if you are running a USB 2.0 port instead of 1.1 port.
Another main problem is that it doesn't function well unless you have a netgear router. I got a new router when I renewed my Verizon contract, and decided to get this so I could network my two comptuers without having to open it up. Often times it says that network is unavailable, even though the adapter is receiving fine. When I bought a Netgear router, it worked flawlessly, but if you don't have a netgear router, its a hassle.
The size is overall good, and you can either plug it in directly to the USB, or have a cord so that you can wrap it around or hang it on the side of your computer. Netgear has great customer support, even though their lines are often full the wait time is long, they are always there.
I've only had one for 2 months, but so far, it really hasn't given me any problems. Just make sure when your not using it, to unplug it, or it will heat up and wear quicker.

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Wireless networking is constantly evolving, and the need for increasingly faster speeds and greater range is not only sought after, but expected. If better wireless speed and range with consistent wireless connections is what you're looking for, then NETGEAR has you covered with the WG111T Super-G Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter. With this handy device you'll have no more dropped connections, and you can kiss dead spots goodbye.
If you love all the new media applications, such as video and music streaming, you know you need a wireless connection that operates at lightning quick speeds to keep things running smooth. These new applications are nearly impossible with the old 802.11b wireless protocol, but they are certainly attainable with increased wireless speeds. The WG111T delivers the speed you desire. At 108 Mbps, it is up to ten times faster than 802.11b, and extends your network coverage up to four times more than standard Wireless-G protocol.
NETGEAR also helps you keep it simple with an easy-to-use, intuitive USB 2.0 interface. Just plug the WG111T into the external USB slot of your desktop or notebook PC, and you'll be ready to connect. Plus, you can keep your network private with WEP encryption, and this diminutive device is even upgradeable to the more secure WPA encryption (Wi-Fi Protected Access).
Setup is made quick and easy with the Smart Wizard install software. The WG111T has a compact, pocket-sized casing and with the included five foot USB cable, you can place this device near your computer for optimal signal strength for the best performance.
System requirements include a Pentium class PC, an available USB port, two MB of free hard drive space, and Microsoft Windows Vista, XP or 2000. Microsoft Vista drivers are available at www.netgear.com/vista.
What's in the Box NETGEAR WG111T Super-G Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter, USB cable, installation guide, setup CD, cradle and Velcro, and warranty/support information card.

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Cisco-Linksys WPC54GX4 Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX 400 Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought the WRT54GX4 yesterday along with a WPC54GX4 PCMIA card for my laptop. My old WRT54G died after 2 3/4 years of service. Linksys will replace the old unit under warranty, but I run a small business and couldn't wait for a replacement. I also found the wireless link between the WRT54G and the WPC54G to be somewhat spotty with the wireless card not catching the router signal all to often so an upgrade was in order anyway.
I installed the WRT54GX4 router with no problem and found that my wired connection had better internet response although I know of no reason why that should be the case. I also tested it with the the laptop with the OLD WPC54G card and the difference was amazing. All of the dead spots in my home were gone, the signal was strong and the transmission rate was inproved. If you want to save a few bucks, but need an improved wireless network, the router will do that even with standard G product in my brief experience.
I next installed the WPC54GX4 card in the PCMIA slot in my laptop. Installation was a breeze. As expected signal strength was strong throughout the house and the data transfer rate was consistantly 240Mbps! To check the range, I put the laptop in the car and concluded I could easily keep connected if I were visiting any of the neighboring houses. The card also picked up a lot of other networks in neighborhood (most of which were not encrypted).
These are not cheap products, but they work and are well worth the money if you want a great wireless network.

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Linksys Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX 400 Wireless-G for your notebook with SRX technology provides up to 10 times faster wireless network throughput, reduces dead spots, and increases wireless range by up to 3 times.Also fully compatible with all public and private Wireless-G and Wireless-B networks.The Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400 is the simple way to add or upgrade wireless connectivity in your notebook computer.Just slide it into your notebook's PC Card slot and enjoy high-speed wireless network access while retaining true mobility.The Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400 combines smart antenna technology with standards-based Wireless-G (802.11g) networking.By overlaying the signals of two Wireless-G compatible radios, the "Multiple In, Multiple Out" (MIMO) technology effectively doubles the data rate.Unlike ordinary wireless networking technologies that are confused by signal reflections, MIMO actually uses these reflections to increase the range and reduce "dead spots" in the wireless coverage area.The robust signal travels farther, maintaining wireless connections up to 3 times farther than standard Wireless-G.With SRX, the farther away you are, the more speed advantage you get, and SRX400 works great with standard Wireless-G and -B equip

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Cisco-Linksys WPC300N Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)Linksys WPC300N Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
The Linksys WPC300N has some nice features in a PCMCIA card. Unfortunately, many high expectations based upon the wireless N standard will leave a lot of people disappointed. I'm going to discuss Windows XP and Vista separately, since I bought the card a long time ago and have used it on both.
First and foremost, this card was created when the Wireless-N standard was still in draft form. In fact, I have had this card for more than 2 years, which tells you just how long ago that was. There's nothing wrong with that, just be aware that there are several limits in this card.
First, this card can be configured to achieve greater throughput by setting up multiple data channels. That's the `MIMO' technology that uses multiple radios, which they vastly over-hype on the packaging.
However, the improved range of the wireless N standard as compared to wireless G just never materialized. That's because this is still a 2.4 GHz card. Newer wireless N products with 5 GHz capabilities are on the market which give much better range than this.
Second, the firmware AND software for this product initially were each very buggy. I first installed this product on Windows Vista and have tested it on some 2003 boxes. All of those required multiple reinstalls and driver downloads. In the end, the GUI configuration tool is very limited in explicitly give you the information you need to know whether you are getting a faster connection with this device. So if you're not techy, this can be a drag.
The wireless security support of WPA2 is nice, and most legacy cards don't have that. It gives you stronger encryption (256 bit). But this only really works if your access point is configured that way too. Linksys WRT300N Wireless-N Broadband Router And in that case, there are newer cards and access points that give you this and more.
Still, I can say without a doubt, that when I needed to add another wireless connection to my Vista Ultimate box, this guy worked much better.
Bottom line, there seems to be a lot of people clinging to XP. If you're one of those, plan on downloading and updating your driver software and firmware before even testing this card.
If you are a Windows Vista user, only get this if you need a spare card for backup machines or multi-card setups. If you need something for your primary wireless access, you may want to avoid this and the WPC600N Linksys WPC600N Ultra RangePlus Dual-Band Wireless-N PC Card altogether and go with the 5 GHz Netgear line. NETGEAR HD/Gaming 5 GHz Wireless-N Networking Kit (WNHDEB111)
Pros
+ Works well on Windows Vista
+ Does give you MIMO support for greater capacity
+ Once you set it up, seems to work well with Wireless G
+ PCMCIA slot saves you from using a USB port
+ Nice WPA2 support
Cons
- Doesn't give you full Wireless N capabilities (only 2.4GHz, no 5GHz)
- Legacy OS users need to download and install many updates
- Price is still surprisingly high
- Somewhat buggy software requires frequent shutdowns
- Better options available for the price
This card might be worth looking into if you can get it on sale and need an extra one for an older laptop.
Enjoy!


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The Wireless-N Notebook Adapter is the simple way to add or upgrade wireless connectivity in your notebook computer. Just slide it into your notebook's PC Card slot and enjoy incredible high-speed wireless network access while retaining true mobility.
The Wireless-N Notebook Adapter uses the very latest wireless networking technology, Wireless-N (draft 802.11n). By overlaying the signals of multiple radios, Wireless-N's "Multiple In, Multiple Out" (MIMO) technology multiplies the effective data rate. Unlike ordinary wireless networking technologies that are confused by signal reflections, MIMO actually uses these reflections to increase the range and reduce "dead spots" in the wireless coverage area. The robust signal travels farther, maintaining wireless connections up to 4 times farther than standard Wireless-G.
With Wireless-N, the farther away you are, the more speed advantage you get. It works great with standard Wireless-G and -B equipment, but when both ends of the wireless link are Wireless-N, the throughput can be increased even more by using twice as much radio band, yielding speeds up to 12 times as fast as standard Wireless-G.
Once you're connected, you can keep in touch with your e-mail, access the Internet, and share files and other resources such as printers and network storage with other computers on the network, wherever you wander. At home, you can surf the web or use instant messaging to chat with friends while sitting out on the patio. You'll also be able to connect with any of the growing number of public hotspots springing up in coffee shops, airport lounges, hotels and convention centers. Your wireless connection is protected by industrial-strength 256-bit encryption. The included Setup Wizard will walk you through configuring the adapter to your network's settings, step by step.
The incredible speed of Wireless-N makes it ideal for media-centric applications like streaming video, gaming, and Voice over IP telephony, and gives you plenty of headroom to run multiple media-intense data streams through the network at the same time, with no degradation in performance. Get your notebook connected to Wireless-N, Wireless-G, and Wireless-B networks with the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter from Linksys.

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D-Link DWL-122 802.11b 11 Mbps USB Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)When I first bought my TiVo (about a year ago), I totally hated that fact that I had this forty foot phone cord running from my bedroom to the next room where I had to split the phone connection. After about a month of that madness, TiVo announced the launch of their new Series 2 network dial-in. So I bought this piece of equipment (the only USB to wireless internet I could find at Best Buy) and my TiVo recognized it immediately.
There has never been an issue with the device and I'm always getting at least a 60% signal, which registers as "Very Good" on my Tivo. Since TiVo announced that the Home Media Option was becoming standard on all boxes, I have never had a problem listening to music or viewing photos. I loved the setup so much that I bought a new TiVo for my sister last month and insisted that she buy the Dlink product. She has had no issue and her connection is nearly always at 90% or higher.
I couldn't see me having a TiVo until without this technology and just keep having tremendous success and no service interruptions with it. I am extremely pleased.

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The D-LINK DWL-122 - part of the D-LinkAir family of award winning wireless products - is a USB 1.1 wireless adapter capable of transfer rates up to 11 Mbps, giving you the ability to connect to a wireless network at home, at the office or any wireless hotspot. Get connected and stay connected wherever you go!Selectable 64 or 128-bit WEP encryption provides security for the data you wirelessly transmit

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Encore Wireless Enlwi-N 802.11N Wireless Pci Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)I installed this in an XP PC. It connects OK w/ a Netgear wireless router, but the connection is very unstable; usually dropping within five minutes. Signal strength is over 90 percent. SW is current, and no amount of tweaking seems to help.
The router has another PC cabled to it, and a laptop connected via wireless-G. Both connections are very stable. Only the Encore seems to have problems.
The Encore website doesn't have much useful info, and the doc. is pretty minimal. I've emailed Encore Support; hopefully they'll have some answers and I can make this review more favorable.
UPDATE: No response to my email for two days, so I called their T.S. number. They had me change router encryption from WP2-PSK to WPA-PSK. The good news is that the connection is much more stable; the bad news is it's only seeing 24-48 Mpbs. Still, a major improvement.

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ENCORE ENLWI-N 802.11n Wireless PCI adapter provides users to launch IEEE 802.11n wireless network at 300 Mbps in the 2.4GHz band, which is also compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g wireless devices at 11/54 Mbps. You can configure this adapter with ad-hoc mode to connect to other 2.4GHz wireless computers, or with Infrastructure mode to connect to a wireless AP or router for accessing to Internet. This adapter includes a convenient Utility for scanning available networks and saving preferred networks that users usually connected with. Security encryption can also be configured by this utility.

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EnGenius EUB-362 EXT - Network adapter - Hi-Speed USB - 802.11b, 802.11g Review

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(More customer reviews)Initially I've decided to install only the driver and not the software. It worked right away on Windows XP SP2 and found many different networks. The average
signal strength is at least 2 bars more than on my internal laptop antenna. And surfing speeds are really good, I suppose also because of the higher transmitting power.
Later, I've installed the driver on a new laptop that already had an internal wifi antenna running on Intel Proset wireless software. However using this software I could not select the external antenna.
Therefore I had to install the software supplied with the adapter, which is recommended by Engenius anyway.
The way I use it now is: both the original Intel and the Engenius software are running.
First, I scan with the internal laptop antenna if I can connect to a network. If this does not work, I connect the external Engenius antenna via a 2 meter usb extension cable, so that I can hang the adapter in the window and run the Engenius software to find a network.
So, If you are using the Windows feature to connect to wifi, you can select more than one adapter, if you are using any other software, such as Intel Proset, you are better of installing the Engenius software to run alongside it.
Bottom line: his adapter will give you the opportunity to be online in more different locations.

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- EnGenius wireless LAN USB 2.0 adapter- Manufactured by SENAO wireless solution provider- 802.11b/g - Up to 200mW high power output- 108Mbps high speed data transmit rate in super A/G mode- Powerful data security with WPA- USB 2.0/1.1 compliant- OS supported: Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP- Roaming: 2.4GHz IEEE802.11b/g- LED indicator: solid green and blinking mode- BlackENGEUB362EXT

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Hawking HWU8DD Hi-Gain USB Wireless-G Dish Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)(see my latest update at bottom)
We purchased this unit to try out on vacation at a beach house rental where typically we have to connect to neighborhood hot spots. At best we usually have to manipulate our laptop to just the right position to find a sporadic at best connection (you know-- we're ultimately standing on our head, wearing a foil helmet, and holding the laptop on edge etc-- that kind of thing).
I'll have to report back to you from the beach house next week but right now I just pulled it out of the box in our urban neighborhood setting at home. We typically have an abundance of signals here but only 1 or 2 have been connectable using my Netgear Rangemax 240 (which does better than my other standard b/g wireless adapter cards).
The Hi-Gain picks up a ton of signals in each direction I point it and is able to connect to nearly anything with a signal strength of 20% or better.
The Quick Start guide warns you all over the place to be gentle when moving the antenna on its axis or swivel, so comments from others on fragility seem to be correct. It looks like for travel purposes you'll need to keep it packaged in its box (6"x8"x4")
But I'd have to say-- so far so good. I have no immediate criticism or disappointment, other than the Wireless LAN Utility has a somewhat undersized window showing available network info--but this is a small issue.
I'll report back from the beach house next week to share what our final verdict is.
Oh the USB cord is no more than 6 feet long so you will need an extension or a longer USB cord (I ordered a 10' extension for $8). By the way, if you intend to replace the USB cord rather than use an extension, it uses a mini-USB connector (the type you see on cameras and camcorders-- your standard connector as you see on printer will not work.
-----------------------------------------------
AUGUST 4TH BEACH HOUSE UPDATE
As promised, here is a bit more after a week of trying it out. The good news is it does consistently work. The ability to move the dish around to locate the best signal is a big plus when you are in some remote area. I am currently connected solidly to a site about 1/2 mile away across a Bay (I have a clear line of sight) with 2 of 5 signal strength bars illuminated.
We just repeated a download speed test and confirmed the wireless connection at 4861kbs down and about 420kbs up.
To be honest though, I'd say the HWU8DD appears only slightly more sensitive than my current pcmcia adapter, a Netgear Rangemax 240 (WPNT511). Again the advantage here is the ability to move the dish to the best reception spot rather than manipulate the computer itself.
Again, the short length of the USB cord (about 5') means in most cases you really need an extension, but with the 10' USB passive extension we also purchased from Amazon, I'm able to sit where I want to and let the antenna do its work. The bad news is I have a cord draped across the floor which may drive my wife a bit nuts at times.
We also discovered this is not compatible with my wife or daughter's Mac (also not compatible with Linux.) I just checked the Hawking website that tells me only Windows Vista 32, XP, 2000, Me, and 98Se are supported with drivers.
Finally, I also have to agree with those who note both size and fragility again. For traveling "road warriors", this is a relatively bulky, and somewhat cheaply made little plastic unit to be taking along on your flights or packed in a car somewhere unless you are desperate. I can see it being totally destroyed in my luggage at the airport, so we won't be taking it along flying to Chicago next week. (Isn't it possible to create a flatter, more compact and durable unit these days?)
Who is this perfect for?
I'd say the RV'er is going to love it. It's great even here at the beach house where we're not worrying about little people playing with or tripping over the cord. At home, I'd hate to be carrying this little thing everywhere my laptop goes, though with a stationary computer, it may be a good solution.
If you've tried everything else, I'd definitely give this a test-drive, but keep in mind the need for a good return policy if you don't like it or if it doesn't work for you.
I'm giving it 4 stars because it does work as promised.
---------------------
Sept 19, 2007 Update: STOPPED WORKING
As mentioned in my review, the dish is somewhat fragile. Yesterday we noticed it quit functioning. Perhaps the box was jostled a bit too much, or the dish popped off its stand once too often (the dish connector pops out of its base sometimes leaving the connecting wire exposed or potentially vulnerable to breaking its solders).
I looked on the Hawking website and am going to try to return it to the manufacturer if I can. I am past the 30 day Amazon return period.
No bitterness, but just a little bit of frustration. Drop my rating to 2 stars.

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The HWU8DD Hi-Gain USB Wireless-G Dish Adapter is designed to connect desktop computer or laptop easily to any Wireless-B or Wireless-G network via a USB connection and Hi-Gain Antenna technology extends wireless connection distances by up to 300%. The HWU8DD Hi-Gain USB Wireless-G Dish Adapter is equipped with a new 8 dBi Directional Dish antenna that provides more distance and better speeds than other wireless adapters on the market.

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ASUS WL330GE Wireless pocket access point Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought two of these, one to use as a wireless adapter and one as a repeater. My primary wireless router is a Dlink DIR-622 running the original 1.11 firmware.
Initial setup is fairly easy. The manual is TERRIBLE but you really don't need it for basic setup. Out of the box, or after a hard reset, the device is in "Gateway Mode" with it's DHCP server active and ready to hand out addresses in the 192.168.1 subnet. Connect it to a PC's ethernet port, open your browser to http://192.168.1.220 and you get the configuration screen. From there, it is easy to choose one of the other (3) modes and make a connection to your wireless network.
If you want to make additional configuration changes to other parameters, it gets harder. Once you switch from Gateway mode to one of the other (3), the device no longer acts as a DHCP server for the ethernet port; rather, it effectively becomes a device with a static IP of 192.168.1.220. To make additional configuration changes, you must open your PC's TCP/IP settings and change from DHCP (i.e., "obtain an IP address automatically") to a static address (i.e., "use the following IP address") in the 192.168.1 range. Only then can you again open your browser and use http://192.168.1.220 to access the device.
I setup the first unit in "Adapter mode", configured it for wpa2 and then connected it to my Dish Network 622 dvr. Everything connected and worked perfectly.
I have a large house with my wireless router at the North end, so signal quality at the South end of the house is poor. I configured the second wl-330ge for "Repeater mode" and placed it near the center of my house. Devices in the South end now get excellent signal quality from the centrally located wl-330ge repeater. Devices that used to get 6mbps now hit 35mbps.
Both my units came with firmware 2.0.1.8, but I noticed a newer 2.0.1.9 firmware on the ASUS web site with 11-23-2009 release date. As it mentioned a fix related to Repeater mode, I decided to download it and update both units. I then hard reset and reconfigured them. The one in Adapter mode still worked just fine. The one in Repeater mode ceased to function; devices would connect to it momentarily then lose the connection. After several hard resets and reconfiguration cycles, I gave up and flashed it back to 2.0.1.8, and it immediately started working again. If you are using Repeater mode, I recommend avoiding the 2.0.1.9 firmware.


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ASUS WL-330gE Wireless Access Point combines 4 wireless functions: Access Point, Ethernet Adapter, Gateway and Universal Repeater, into 1 - providing you with connectivity wherever you are.

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ZyXEL M202 802.11g Xtreme Mimo USB 2.0 Wireless Network Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought two M-202s to upgrade my old 802.11b WEP adapters to 802.11g with WAP. I had some problems during the installation process on Windows XP-SP2 ("Illegal System DLL Relocation") but called costumer support and was given a link to a Microsoft hotfix (KB935448 ). The adapter worked once I downloaded and installed the hotfix. On my first installation, only the administrator could access the adapter. Other users could not access the wireless connection. Then I decided to uninstall the software included in the installation CD and let Windows XP manage the adapter using only the driver included in the installation CD. Everything worked well after these minor setbacks. I have two M-202 working seamlessly with an old Lynksys WRT54G router. Connectivity is good in all areas of my house. Xyzel costumer support was friendly and helpful. I think this adapter is a good bargain for $13.

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XtremeMIMO External Wireless Network Adapter - This external adapter gives your desktop or laptop computer the freedom of accessing 802.11g networks, for wireless access to the Internet. It supports MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology, which increases your wireless range, speed, and stability when used with other MIMO devices.Connects via USB 2.0 Frequency Range - 2.4GHz to 2.462GHz

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D-Link DWA-652 Xtreme N Wireless Notebook Adapter Draft Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Ok, the other reviews of this product weren't that helpfull for me previous to my purchase of this product so i thought i'd throw in my two cents. I'm using this card to replace my old Linksys card which wasn't giving a whole lot of range or power and replacing my old liksys router. I'm now using the DIR-655 in conjunction with this card and i'm getting exceptional range! 300mbps at the fence of my property about 150 linear feet away through multiple walls. The card itself is able to detect networks from a lot farther range than my previous card. I'm very pleased with my purchase. Hope this helps others out. Good Luck.

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The D-Link Xtreme N Notebook Adapter (DWA-652) is a draft 2.0 802.11n wireless client that delivers unrivaled wireless performance for your notebook computer. This wireless adapter delivers up to 14x faster speeds* and 6x farther range* than 802.11g while staying backward compatible with 802.11g networks. Once connected, you can share a high-speed Internet connection, photos, files, music, videos, printers, and storage.

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Linksys WPC11 Instant Wireless-B Networking Adapter, PCMCIA Card Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought the Linksys WPC11 to go into a Toshiba Tecra 780CDM notebook running Windows 98 SE. The network I have is an Airport Express bridge connected to a Belkin 4 port router. After following the instructions and installing the software, I got a couple error messages indicating that I couldn't have more than 6 TCP/IP configurations, and no more than 4 PPP configurations. But the software seemed to install just fine. However, I could only connect to the Airport basestation, but couldn't access the internet, nor the network.
I called Tech Support, and got a very polite and knowledgable service rep in about 5 minutes (on a Sunday night). He troubleshot the installation, and agreed that the software was installed correctly, and the card was working correctly. His diagnosis was that the card was communicating with the basestation, but not to the router. He suggested I speak to Belkin.
Then I called a friend, who suggested I open the Device Manager and remove all the network devices. When I restarted the computer, only 2 (out of an original 6) were recognized by Windows, and it installed both devices. Then I connected to the Airport Basestation, and voila! Full connectivity and compatibility!
I take away 1 star because Tech Support was not able to correctly identify and fix the problem. Otherwise, this is an excellent card, and can be found at an excellent price.

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Whether you're at your desk or in the boardroom, the Linksys Instant Wireless Network PC card allows you to share printers, files, and more anywhere within your wireless LAN infrastructure, increasing your productivity and keeping you in touch.
The Instant Wireless card gives you the freedom to work your way, from where you want--letting you take full advantage of your notebook PC's portability while providing you with access to all your network resources. A high-powered built-in diversity antenna means that you're covered--at a distance of up to 150 meters (492 feet) inside and 500 meters (1,640 feet) outside. And because it occupies only one Type II PCMCIA slot, you're free to use your other slots for additional accessories.
Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price. Because they don't require cables, you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home, even out on the patio. There's no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house; you can network anywhere--without wires. Outside the home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, and airports--great when you're on the road and need to get some work done. For convenience, wireless networking is the answer.
Which Wireless Standard Is Right for Me? Now that you've decided to create a wireless network, the next step is to figure out which wireless standard to use.
Basically, a standard is a set of specifications for a device. All devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics, such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed.
For wireless networking, there are three standards to choose from at this time:
802.11b
802.11a
802.11g

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Cisco-Linksys USB Ethernet Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this product in order to connect my Tivo (Series 2) to my internet router and bypass my home telephone connection. It has worked perfectly from day one and I have absolutely no complaints.
Before I purchased this adapter, I was told by a salesperson at Best Buy that I would not be able to connect my Tivo to the internet using this device (or any device like it) because it would almost certainly require drivers to be installed and since the Tivo lacks a CD-ROM, I would not be able to install the drivers. After some research online, I found that there are a handful of adapters like this one that are known to work well with the Tivo devices, even without drivers.
I was still hesitant when I received my adapter because I expected the drivers to be an issue. It was not. My Tivo recognized the adapter and connected right away. It couldn't have been easier.
For someone who is looking for a similar product to connect their Series 2 Tivo to the internet, I would caution that the drivers may indeed be an issue on inferior adapters, but this specific adapter has worked wonderfully for me.

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Connect your computer, game console, DVR, or other device to a wired network in seconds with Linksys' USB300M USB Ethernet Adapter. Compact and light, it connects to the USB port of your device and provides an Ethernet jack to connect to your network. The Adapter gets its power through the USB connection, so no power cord is necessary. It’s compatible with both USB 1.0, 1.1, and 2.0 ports.

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