Just a note- I post under the name of 'labtec' on other sites, so don't be surprised to see similar...
Just a note- I post under the name of 'labtec' on other sites, so don't be surprised to see similar or identical reviews appearing.
Member since:03.02.2008
Reviews:7
There are a huge number of PCI WiFi cards out there, so it's often hard to tell which are the better buys; the better value, the better quality and the better functionality. Does the Belkin 54Mbps Wireless PCI card
The first, and probably only advantage of this wireless adapter is the fact that it has a PCI interface rather than USB 2.0. This means less clutter on your PC desk, more free ports, and normally means a higher quality product. It supports 802.11b and g, so there are few issues of network compatibility, except security, which I'll come on to. Unfortunately, the device does not deal well with obstacles of many kinds. Walls, pipes in walls, microwaves and halogen lightbulbs cause a drop in performance; noticeably more than in other similar devices. Even without such barriers, it still occassionally cuts out. It is incompatible with newer security encryption methods such as WPA when you use the Belkin software, forcing you to use the Windows wireless management which does support WPA. Using the Windows software, the card is not compatible with the Windows Wireless icon; basically, Windows will sometimes tell you that you are not connected to a network even when you are, which is rather frustrating. Installation of the card is frustrating. Most PCI devices are plugged in before manufacturer drivers are added. But not with this card. You must install the drivers first, so if like most PC users you did it the other way around, you'll need to start all over again, which means opening the PC again. Completely unique and illogical.
But overall, this is now a fairly cheap item to buy, and has been superseded by newer models. Only go for this if you're looking for a cheap, even temporary wireless card, because there are so many better cards out there.
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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: good brand, lifetime guarantee, easy to install, good customer support Disadvantages: not universally compatible, more hassle than usb adaptors, poor signal
Advantages: good brand, lifetime guarantee, easy to install, good customer support Disadvantages: not universally compatible, more hassle than usb adaptors, poor signal
Feb 3rd, 2008
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