Well, this card is, in theory, has good solid connection speeds, is out of the way, requires no wires so you are free to move your computer anywhere you wish [a must with laptops], is good value for money and is very user friendly.
However, i found this card was very difficult to install - my parent's friend [who is a network specialist] had agreed to install the cards and network for us. Having shut down my computer, opened the side panel and inserted it into an avaliable serial port, just as instructed on the box, i powered my computer up again.
Now the computer registered the card's presence, and explained in some words that the card had been installed. 'Excellent', I thought to myself. The 3 step instructions they cleverley place on the box for a selling point seened to have been just as it had said. I gleefully awaited my new computer to recieve 512kb\s broadband connection. However, upon my computer loading into windows, there was no internet connection. I was informed this was because the software coupled with the pack had not been installed. This seemed strange, as the software was only a connection speed utility, and windows XP has very good networking tools itself.
2 weeks worth of tinkering later, and having moved my bed to get it closer to the wall, having put the computer on the landing, having put both computers next to each other for a moment, having changed both computers' ip adresses, having done all sorts and nothing seemed to work. We were eventually forced to buy the 802.11gwireless access point, for a lot of money that we had not wanted to spend. The network is now stable and running
Aside from the difficulty of installation, the card takes up little room at the back of your PC, with a moveable aerial, and only taking up one standard serial port's worth of space. This is always a plus point when rooms need to be rearranged - the network stays exactly where it is and requires no power cables or anything external at all. You can also connect multiple desktop PCs to multiple laptops, again a plus point - wireless laptops can be very advantageous. The entire network range is however incredibly small. For this reason, i advise you purchase the wireless access point if considering setting up this network.
Now, since i got this network i have upgraded to 1mb broadband. This is where the card really shines - i updated and can now download at speeds the same as the base computer can. The network is very fast and can be easily upgraded. The network is on the main reliable, although from time to time it does go down, or the access point can malfunction requiring a reboot. I have a very low ping on computer games, i can download a lot of stuff at once, and if i wanted i could happily move my computer into my brother's room - while still playing the game [At least if i had a long enough extension cables]
The card comes complete with wireless networking card, and a compact disc which contains certain software for use with the card, such as a status monitor. The network can be very expensive to set up, so not one for people on a budget. However, for people with a large spending base and the need for a fast network, this card could be for you.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Very good review - but if you don't mind me asking how much did it cost? that might be quite a useful thing to add to the review kels x
MAFARRIMOND 21.05.2004 21:28
Useful review. Maureen
ElizaF 21.05.2004 15:32
errrr..... I'm a bit confused as to how you expected a wireless networking card to work without a wireless access point like a router in the first place ..... or perhaps I missed something ... E.
Belkin Wireless G, or 802.11g, refers to the networking standard that transfers data at up ... more
to 54 Mbps using the 2.4 Ghz band. It is ideal for homes and offices that require a flexible solution to download music from the Internet or share photos and oth...
Postage & Packaging: £5.35 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: fast, comes with utility for signal strength etc., can join computers without access point or router Disadvantages: Set up instructions not detailed enough, wouldn't ad-hoc on my PCs
Advantages: good brand, lifetime guarantee, easy to install, good customer support Disadvantages: not universally compatible, more hassle than usb adaptors, poor signal
May 21st, 2004
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