bit-tech Shopping: Linksys Wireless G Wireless Router

• Collision
• Link Status
• Power
• Wireless

• Ethernet - 10 Mbps Twisted Pair (10BaseT)
• Ethernet - 100 Mbps Two-Pair (100BaseTX)
• Wireless Ethernet - 11 Mbps IEEE802.11b
• Wireless Ethernet - 54 Mbps IEEE802.11g

• WEP - 128-bit
• WEP - 64-bit

• Integrated Firewall
• IPSec
• NAT

Rating: 10

Time with product: 7

Strengths: Simple, and easy to use.

Weaknesses: Would like some monitoring software just for giggles.`

Summary: I had never done a home network and was intimidated at trying after reading some others' horror stories.All of my worry was for naught. This thing is totally plug 'n play with my custom built Home Desktop and my HP Pavilion notebook. Desktop is running XP, laptop is running Vista Premium Home.Some folks said NOT to run the CD first. I don't know why, all it does is tell you how to hook things up. My router is old. I had bought it a few years ago anticipating working more from home, but, that never panned out, so I just left the router in the box. I had thought about returning it and getting a newer N router, but, saw way too many horror stories about those.I took the plunge and hooked this thing up by the directions on the CD, and wahla, no problems at all. It's been working for a week w/out a hitch. I ran the firmware upgrade and still NO problems.Some others who have problems with this unit just have bad luck. This thing is just too simple to goof up. Really, no smoke, simple easy and works great!!

Rating: 2

Time with product:

Strengths: You tell me

Weaknesses: Providing a working device without customer hassle

Summary: I helped a very hesitant relative pick out a wireless router for his home and we decided Linksys was the most inexpensive on the shelf providing the needed capabilities.Now you can change the word "inexpensive" to "cheapest" with all the connotations that word has about product quality.The WRT54GS stopped working after 2 months, which was 1 month beyond the distributing store's return policy and of course, 10 months or 22 months? before the Linksys warranty ends (depending on whether it was a year or 2-year warranty).Once the tech support verified that the device was beyond user servicability---no LED lights at all came on when the power was hooked up...we didn't know if it was a dead AC adaptor or a burnt-out board in the device----they issued a return merchandise authorization (RMA), which itself was hard to get because the first tech support guy apparently did not register the RMA number---and it did not help that he barely knew how to speak intelligible English----and it took a 2nd call to get a new RMA. When my relative learned he would have to print out two RMA labels---which were not made printable in emails from Linksys----and that he would have to pay for shipping before Linksys send out a replacement---which he assumed would be just as defective, my relative told me that he has a simple policy on NOTHING-BUT-HASSLE warranties: and that is that if the product is defective and breaks within the term, he eats the cost but will never buy a product from the maker again. He said even if he got the replacement and it ended up working without defect for years, he would probably never buy from the manufacturer again and would warn others from doing so.And I agree.At least there are companies out there who warranty their products against defects and assume all the costs associated with replacement.Linksys is not one of them.If a company will NOT assume the costs of replacing their defective products (with the exception of the time and hassle of the user in doing shipping and handling), then their products better work and work perfectly at least through the warranted period. Otherwise, you can write off another customer of that manufacturer and all whom he has influence over.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 01 Weeks

Strengths: - Easy installation for windows XP & Vista- Easy upgrade firmware

Weaknesses: - Should have a ON/OFF button- powerful antenna should be provided instead of norma lones.- doesn't have user manual

Summary: First of all I intended to purchase wireless draft-N router. After taking a lot time reading user's reviews & technical reviews, I concluded just waste money to buy those stuff & anyway N-technology is just draft only. The draft-N might be considered is WRT330N. But this router's expensive. So I decided to go with cheaper WRT54GS at BestBuy (version 7.0). It works great from the first time installation. At present I'm running dual-boot (XP Pro & Vista Ultimate) so I have to do installation twice: full & complete setup at the first time (on XP) & just re-enter SSID & psw at the 2nd time (on Vista). My laptop is far away about 100ft from my WRT54GS, but it's still works great & the speed's quite good. Very highly reccommended this router for those just need 802.11g & 802.11b & note that you should choose version 7 (the latest from LinkSys).One more thing I shuold say about user manual. Going together with WRT54GS is a CD (inluding driver & software), brochure, installation guide, & frequently asked questions (too simple). It doesn't have a user manual to show about trouble shooting so users know to go & find a solution such as how to upgrade a firmware, etc. I reccommend about an official forum on the LinkSys web-site at http://forums.linksys.com/ . You can find several useful solution from this.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Year

Strengths: Easy to setup, logical

Weaknesses: I'm not aware of any

Summary: It gives you many different options. If you are not just a person who knows only how to press next, next, next when you setup something new, you can easly setup this router. With the product you receive manual which is easy and understandable. Can be compare with manuals for dummies. You don't need more then half hour and your network is running perfectly.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: connection stability, i never loose connection in the entire office, and a great price.

Weaknesses: so far it has not worked as well with my collegues older laptop configuration. He occasionally looses connection.

Summary: I really don't know why all the poor reviews.... I installed this router in my office network when i was forced to replace an older wireless router that was damaged by an electrical storm. We had no prior experience with linnsys, but it came reccomended by a customer of ours. I am glad he did so because this router blows the old belkin away! everyone in the office has notice an improvement and a decrease in lost signals. In a few words, "A Great wireless G router, espesial for the price!" in fact, based on my experience here, I just purchased the new linksys wireless N router. I will be reviewing it soon aswell.