... You would be forgiven for thinking 'Hey at least I dont need wires to connect my PC to the main router downstairs from my bedroom and have amazing speeds to boot!' because that's what Linksys want you to believe. Trust me, after you've used this wireless card as a solution, you'll go straight ... Read review
Advantages: Easy to install, it's inside your PC so is nicely hidden! Disadvantages: Slow, crap range, I can send more data faster on foot
...to boot!' because that's what Linksys want you to believe. Trust me, after you've used this wireless card as a solution, you'll go straight back to cabled networking with a curse upon all wireless equipment to ever infiltrate into your abode.
Linksys' Wireless-G PCI Card, model number WMP54G, capable of 54Mbps compared to the older 11Mbps of the older wireless network standard, nearly 5x faster. Also compatible with the old standard ... ...and find out what porkies Linksys has spewed out upon it's silver tray.
Firstly, ignore that picture in the top left hand corner.. that's the wrong image of what the card looks like. Ciao are really not good at keeping their websites up to date nowadays. The card comes very nicely boxed with instruction manuals, warrantee info and driver's CD. Installation of the wireless card was extremely easy as it required merely to install the ... more
Have you ever wondered what happiness would be like for a portable computer user? Connecting to your home network, accessing the internet, typing up documents, all the while moving about the house and then finally setling down in the garden with a beer in one hand, some tabacco in the other, and a testicle mashing heat blowing laptop on your lap. That's happiness mate.
Of course, that doesn't apply to most people... mainly only me. But what I have to say here is that this is the PCI version that connects inside a desktop PC, so all that moving around business goes right out the window. You would be forgiven for thinking 'Hey at least I dont need wires to connect my PC to the main router downstairs from my bedroom and have amazing speeds to boot!' because that's what Linksys want you to believe. Trust me, after you've used this wireless card as a solution, you'll go straight back to cabled networking with a curse upon all wireless equipment to ever infiltrate into your abode.
Linksys' Wireless-G PCI Card, model number WMP54G, capable of 54Mbps compared to the older 11Mbps of the older wireless network standard, nearly 5x faster. Also compatible with the old standard as well so that you don't have to worry about immediately purchasing all new cards for all your PCs! Sound good on paper, but that's until you plug it in and find out what porkies Linksys has spewed out upon it's silver tray.
Firstly, ignore that picture in the top left hand corner.. that's the wrong image of what the card looks like. Ciao are really not good at keeping their websites up to date nowadays. The card comes very nicely boxed with instruction manuals, warrantee info and driver's CD. Installation of the wireless card was extremely easy as it required merely to install the PCI card into an empty slot and then screw the aerial into the back afterwards. Booting up into Windows, just placed the CD into the drive and the setup program handles the rest. This is one thing I can praise Linksys on, their excellent user-friendly software programs.
However here is where it mainly goes wrong. As you all know, wireless networks are very picky about what router they connect to and so it is best you use the same manufacturer for the router as with the card and that has the same technology for maximum compatibility and ease of setup. But even though I had a Linksys Wireless-G router (review on that piece of crap later), it was difficult to get my wireless card to speak to it without problems creeping up i.e. disconnecting every hour or so, momentary immense slow down, unable to find router, etc.
After hours of tweaking, I finally got the connection to be stable and was able to test the range and speed of the wireless network. The range was absolutely appalling! The router was in the master bedroom where the broadband modem was. The room right next to it I got a 4 out of 5 bar signal so it wasn't so bad. I moved the entire PC into a room just down the corridoor into my 'study area' and the signal went right down. Poof. The PC barely had a signal from my router, and when it did connect it kept disconnecting the reconnecting every 3 seconds. The 'study area' was only 4-5 metres down the corridoor with very little electronic interference or walls in the way, therefore I am very dissapointed because my mate's Belkin wireless network had a strong signal from 10 metres away going through 4 walls.
The speed of the card was also a massive let-down of epic proportions. The 11Mbps (802.11b) standard gives us about 500K to just under 1MB transfer speed. This card that boasts u pto 54Mbps gives me the fastest rate of 1.2MB per second. Wow. That is such a massive leap from the 11Mbps network... I've seen other 54Mbps wireless networks trounce 1.2MB per second easily, so I have to say that if you want speed... AVOID!
In fact, if you want decent speed with a good range, as well as little hassle in setting up a wireless network... do not buy this crap card! I can write down want I want to send on a piece of card and chuck it at my mate quicker and further than sending it via Linksys' wireless network. NETGEAR, BELKIN or BUFFALO!
Advantages: Free internet service Disadvantages: You may have to move your Pc to another location of the room to pick up good reception
This piece of technology is the best thing since the light bulb. Having said this you elimiinate the hassel of buying splitters and cords running all over the place if you have more than one computer in the home. Just install the adapter and it pickes up the signal from your other computer. It even works if there only one PC in your home but you may have to relocate your computer to another section of the room in order to pick up the strongest signal ...
joyceann53 08.03.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Linksys Wireless-G PCI Adapter WMP54G
Product Information for "Linksys Wireless-G PCI Adapter WMP54G" »
Manufacturer's product description
The Linksys Wireless-G PCI Card installs in most desktops and lets you put your computer almost anywhere in the building, without the cost and hassle of running network cables. Now you don't have to drill holes in your walls and climb through the attic or cellar to get connected to the network. Once you're connected, you can keep in touch with your e-mail, access the Internet, use instant messaging to chat with friends, and share files and other resources such as printers and network storage with other computers on the network.The Wireless-G PCI Card connects you with Wireless-G networks at an incredible 54Mbps! And for added versatility, it can also interoperate with all the 11Mbps Wireless-B (802.11b) products found in homes, businesses, and public wireless hotspots around the country. And in either mode, your wireless communications are protected by up to 128-bit encryption, so your data stays secure.So don't hassle with running cables through your house - get your desktop connected the easy way with the Linksys Wireless-G PCI Card.
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Good range, small and easy to install, good documentation
Software package very slim but if used with Linux the bluetooth modules available have powerful built in features such as chat and bluetooth kernel. (*)