Advantages: EASY ACCESS TO USB PORTS
Disadvantages: INITIAL SETUP FOR NON-PC PEOPLE

...had to scramble round the back of the machine to actually access the port to do that. Well this gets round that by not only bringing the ports to the front of the PC but also giving you multiple ports where you only had the one before. So now if you want to play a game with a USB joystick just plug it in, then when your done just unplug and put the joystick away so it’s no longer in your way. It’s the same with all manner of USB devices. RELIABILITY As reliable as your original port on the back of the machine. Never had a problem myself, but if you had a problem with the back port I guess that could cause problems with this as it is just an extension of the original. INSTRUCTION MANUAL Clear diagrams show you just how to connect everything up in the first place and make it really easy to follow. That’s about all that... Read review

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Advantages: Good features, repeater and bridging modes
Disadvantages: Minor installation problem

...Here's the story. I have an existing wireless network. The access point is in the office in the loft. I have a laptop I wander around with (as you do) and there is a PC on the ground floor. On a good day with a strong wind, the downstairs PC gets a weak to medium connection. All too often though it is intermittent or fails completely. Web browsing is quirky and the whole experience is less than satisfactory. The bottom line is that despite being well within the theoretical range for wireless devices, there are just too many walls, floors and sundry other obstacles getting in the way. There are several things you can do do improve the signal but most are more suited to open spaces. One option that would help in this situation is to use a pair of access points in repeater mode. After a quick look around, Netgear's WG602 looked like... Read review

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Advantages: Very small - Good connection and signal - doesn't overheat - does the job
Disadvantages: Not sure how well it works with PCI wireless PC card

...My experience of this product is that it works quite well the reason why it doesn't go from good to excellent will be explained bellow. I have 2 PC's and 1 laptop I wanted the main PC to be hard-wired as that one is right next to the access hub and modem so no need to be wireless and anyway the main machine should always be hard-wired as no wireless can beat that. Then I have my son's laptop a Dell Inspiron 2200 which has already a wireless network card, and this machine runs perfect via the wireless access point anywhere in the house, and my house is a 3 storey house so plenty of range. However I did install a wireless PCI network card on the PC on 3rd level of the house and this connection was intermittent which meant going back to hard-wire there, now I cannot say for sure if this was a card problem or the access point problem... Read review

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Advantages: Bargain bundle with wireless card for my laptop
Disadvantages: Just an access point, no modem/hub/etc

...I use the 3Com OfficeConnect Wireless 11g Access Point in my home wireless network, and bought it as part of a bundle with a laptop wireless card - check my other reviews to see if I've got round to reviewing that too... It used the IEEE 802.11g standard (data transfer speeds of up to 54Mbps), plus is backwards compatible with IEEE 802.11b (upto 11Mbps) so works with older equipment (such as a slightly outdated laptop from a previous employer) with no problems. The included CD installed all the necessary drivers very quickly and also contains all the manuals in PDF format. Once the drivers were installed, the configuration wizard runs in a standard web browser. This involves configuring IP addresses, encryption settings, DHCP settings and other techy bits and bobs. This was pretty straightforward, although a basic knowledge... Read review

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Advantages: easy to set up, good range.
Disadvantages: a bit sensitive

...I bought one of these access points for work because of the two aerial functionality. These aerials work in one of two ways, either diversity where they both send and recieve and can tell which aerial has the best signal to you and uses that, and simplex where one aerial sends and one receives and one sends and you have to have a good signal on both for the system to work. the diversity system makes it more flexible and we have a larger aerial on an extension on one of the RP TNC aerial connectors, this covers our manufacturing area, and one standard aerial which covers our office space. this works well and extends the range and thus the value for money of this unit. the advantage however using the aerials simplex is that in situations like an office with a good signal to both aerials one sending and one receiving cuts down... Read review

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Advantages: Simple
Disadvantages: Nintendo Only

...not see it during a scan “scan for access points” on my phone and as I have to grant permission to connect I’m going to assume it is secure from people hijacking my connection. However I would not assume it is secure from people monitoring what I’m up to. Fine for games of Mario Kart DS, but I would be wary of checking my online email on the Wii. The likelihood of anyone check up on you is very small, so here I’m being paranoid. Improvements I’d like to see -=-=-=-=- I would like some more parental controls on it, so I could block internet play on some games, and see what games are currently being played by each console. Also I’d like to be able to implement a “white list” of websites sites the consoles can access. This device is great, but would be very helpful for a parent to be able... Read review

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Advantages: You're connected online for 'free'
Disadvantages: Computer security can get in the way

...you could so by either having a wireless internet connection in your house, or if you aren't that lucky, you could buy the Nintendo USB WiFi adaptor, which would turn your home into a WiFi hotspot. This adaptor earnt its nickname the 'dongle' through internet communities, but how much would this dongle cost? Was this the hidden price? Play.com claims that the RRP for the product is £34.99, although they sell it for £27.99, which is around what I paid for it over a year ago now. I guess with the release of the Wii there has been additional interest. As you would expect, the dongle does not just allow you access to the internet through your Nintendo DS, but it also allows you to take your brand spanking new Wii online. Sadly, it's Nintendo products only so don't try and take your Xbox 360 online through it. For your money you get... Read review

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Advantages: Small, fast, allows online play
Disadvantages: Expensive, only recognises the DS and Wii, hard to find in shops, needs a PC and broadband to work

...If you've ever wanted to play the likes of Mario Kart, Metroid Prime Hunters, Animal Crossing Wild World or Tetris online on your DS, and you don't have a wireless high speed internet connection, then you need this! So, what is it? And what does it do? ---------------------------------------------------- The Wifi USB accessed point plugs into an empty USB port on a computer, and creates a wireless connection that your DS, and now your Wii, will recognise in order to connect to the internet, which in turn allows online play. All you have to do is install the Connection Tool onto your PC using the CD that comes with the device, and run a connection test through your DS or Wii (all of this is explained in the Instruction Booklet that comes with the device). And voila! Your DS and/or Wii can now connect to the internet... Read review

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Advantages: worldwide multiplayer, works for wii and ds
Disadvantages: very tempermental

...Ok so you've just bought your nintendo wi-fi USB connector, these rango from £10-£30 on froogle. Before you plug this into your computer be sure to insert the cd as i found that if you do things in the wrong order it makes things more complicated later on. The installation cd is very straight-forward and self-explanitory. It is an easy to use step-by-step guide of how to install. A grey box will appear and the progress bar will stop about half way, be sure to read the box as it will tell you when to connect your wi-fi usb connector. Once your all installed you can choose to run the wi-fi connector tool, if your one of these people who isn't very technically minded then don't panic - its the little blue circle on the bottom right of your computer screen, just click run, now if your using your DS or DSlite then the game you are trying... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to set up, works well
Disadvantages: Win XP only, could be cheaper

...The Wi-Fi Access Point is needed if you want to take advantage of the Nintendo DS's great wireless capabilities and play other players from around the world. If you already have wireless access from your computer, you won't need this accessory - you can connect to Nintendo Wi-Fi through your existing wireless set up (see the WiFi instruction booklet that comes with all WiFi enabled games). However, if you're like me and don't have a wireless router and no real wish to get one, this little device is essential. You need XP to be able to use it. Just insert the CD and follow the instructions. I've been using mine for over a month now and I'm very pleased - the connection is stable and I had no problems with installation. The cost is between 25 and 30 pounds, depending on where you look. It's not all that cheap, but I think it... Read review

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