I'm looking to install a Wireless Home Network and I've done a little bit of background investigation. I'm really seriously looking at buying the Microsoft Wireless Base Station ($59.94) and Notebook Adapter ($49.94) at Staples this weekend when they go on sale (new ads are up by the way). But I was wondering if I should hold out for a better deal on a 54g router and card instead. Anybody got any suggestions or advice?

couple of friend have netgear setups and also dlink setups....have no problems at all.

may want to check http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
and http://www.timhiggins.com for reviews of routers/access points, etc....

Thanks p0larbear!

I just noticed that CNET.com has some info about 54g connections on their home page today as well. I'm checking it out now. Thanks.

I just found out that my Cable Internet is 348kb, so I'm now thinking the 802.11b variety (like the Microsoft one I mentioned above) should be more than sufficient for my needs. Anybody know anything to the contrary?

The only thing with "g" is that the standard has not been finalized (I believe). It's a little more expensive, but not by too much. If you plan on internal networking (not just Internet access) you will not be too happy with "b" in my opinion. I never am. "g" is supposed to be much faster, so it's better for networking. NOTE: I haven't used "g" yet.

As far as brand, I've used Linksys, DLink, Netgear & Microsoft. They all work pretty much the same. I happen to like the Linksys interface - just a personal preference.

Company I work for....in thier business offices use the Linksys....
from the LITTLE experience I have with them...they are pretty easy to setup

I plan on using it almost exclusively for internet access on my laptop. Just want to share my broadband connection.

Thanks for the info.

for 80211-B I have a Busslink Wireless router & a No Name ( Orinco clone from tiwan) Pc card for the laptop.

Back when thes products together were about $350.00 I got em on a deal site for about $95.00 total

All working fine & happy together.

You can find all sorts of discussion on DSLREPORTS.com in the forums about routers/ wireless etc.
Problems, fixes, New Firmware updates etc.

THat was great help to me when I did my first network w/ Cat5 2 years ago. ( I had Coax Enet before that)

Now I have wired & wireless mixed network & even a firewire setup ( Because my Sony Laptop had it & it's 400 Mb)

I recently added a D-Link DI-614+/DWL-520+ 802.11b combo to my home network. It seems to do pretty well for internet access, but I have noticed a significant downgrade in LAN performance. (Imagine that, huh - going from 100Mb to 22Mb and I can tell it's slower? ) Setup was fairly straightfoward and painless. I have noticed a couple of times that I have dropped connection, but always manages to reestablish it fairly quickly.

JUST spoted This:

Use promo code cwirepc8 $24.00


Pcmcia wireless 80211-B :drool:

from FW SHHHH!

You should be fine with 802.11B then. Any of the deals the others pointed out should be good. Don't know much about quality as I'm still wired (waiting for them to get to FAR, missed the OD deal ).

F

Well...I did end up buying the MS Wireless Base Station and Notebook Adapter and so far they seem to be doing pretty well. I use the system primarily for surfing on the internet on my laptop, but occasionally I transfer files from the laptop to the desktop and this has gone fairly well so far.

For anyone who's still looking, I have seen a lot of 802.11g systems coming out in just the last week or so. But given that my internet connection is less than 1Mb, the 11Mb of the 802.11b system works just fine for me.

Good for you thimbledrome. Hope you got a great deal on the equipment