Devolo MicroLink dLAN duo - bridge

Advantages: No wireless connection fuss, just plugs in from straight out of the box
Disadvantages: Doesn't work through surge proof devices, infrequently cuts out

...If you want a wireless network in your house, but like me don't know much difference between 802.11g and WiFi, or between hubs and bridges, then this Devolo ethernet plug should do wonders. It has me connected to the internet right now, and it works just the same as using a really long ethernet cable. The idea behind the device is that it uses the electric circuit in the home to act as a large ethernet cable, where every plug socket acts as a potential ethernet connection. Thus with two Devolo plugs running, you have a fuss free wireless connection. I have no idea how the technology actually works, I assume it's got something to do with sending pulses through the current, however rest assured it doesn't affect any other electrical devices when running. Straight out of the box, just attach the ethernet cable from the PC... Read review

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Advantages: Quick, simple, fuss free system
Disadvantages: Your on your own setting up the computers!

...is that the manual supplied with the Devolo adapter doesn't tell you how to get your computers talking to each other. Windows XP does this all for you, but my internet connection was totally unresponsive. The reason for this was due to the firewall installed on the PC that was actually connected to the internet. Once I'd twigged to this, it was plain sailing. I now have a laptop and desktop computer connected to the internet. The connection is stable and the speed is consistent. If I want to move my laptop to another room in the house, all I have to do is unplug the relevant adapter and plug it into a mains socket in another room. The manual lists the effective range of the wired network as being 200m, which should be plenty far enough. I'd love a wireless network, but the complexity and unreliability put me off. This is a really simple... Read review

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Advantages: Much better than other forms of wireless networking, and so easy to set up
Disadvantages: This is an extension plug, you need the starter kit first!

...Before starting this review, let me make it quite clear. This is an extention plug for the Devolo Microlink Highspeed Ethernet Starter Kit, which only provides access to and from one ethernet socket. Thus in order to use it, you already need at least one of these plugs, or maybe two, which are provided at better value for money in the starter kit. If you have already purchased the Devolo Microlink highspeed Stater Kit; you'll know what it's all about. Replace complicated wireless systems with this device, which transfers data just like an ethernet cable, using the circuitry built into houses as a network of cables. The design of the plug is the same as the two Highspeed plugs you should already have. What this plug allows you to do is to create another connection to the two way network that originally comes with the starter kit... Read review

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