135.98=Linksys Wireless Router + 4Port Switch + DHCP + Firewall

[robilium]

Hey guys just went to Staples and got:

Linksys EtherFast Wireless AP with 4 port switch, NAT, DHCP, Cable/DSL Router
Model# BEFW11S4

199.98 = Retail
-33.04 = 110% pricematch Dell
-30.00 = Printable coupon
======
136.98 + tax

I printed off the dell add from Dell.com smal business.
Dell - SB
Search for BEFW11S4

Then I found a printable Staples coupon for 30 off 150
Just look for it online, it can be found.

This could be done onlien too:
Staples

 

[commOdog]

wtf?

 

[jkkw]

great deal, just did a similar deal at office Max
DLink Wireless AP + 3 Port Switch + Print Server (DP713P)
Advertised for 189.99 (sunday insert)
competitor's coupon (Staples 30 off 150)
Mail in Rebate (Dlink manufacturer's rebate 20$)
Total = 139.99 + Tax

pretty cool, easy to set up, and i'm posting this via wireless

 

[Maverick319]

He got lucky. They aren't supposed to accept coupons after the pricematch lowered the price. They won't accept this kind of deal online, but I guess it is up to the manager to allow the coupon after the PM.

 

[johto]

this product sucks, IMO. not trying to deal bash, but just FYI. ordered from dell and had to return cause range was about 15ft

 

[clstrfbc]

Thats a good deal. Compusa was running these at a sale price of 135 a few months back.
Havent't heard much from them lately, maybe they will get back in there soon.

 

[iamme]

<< this product sucks, IMO. not trying to deal bash, but just FYI. ordered from dell and had to return cause range was about 15ft >>



I'm guessing that individual homes allow for different wireless experiences. Tons of factors probably involved.

 

[johto]

you're absolutely correct. but if you do some research into the linksys products, you'll find a lot of people complaining.

 

[drquest]

<< you're absolutely correct. but if you do some research into the linksys products, you'll find a lot of people complaining. >>



I did some pretty extensive testing on both the Linksys WAP11 bridge and the above Wireless router and compared those to my Orinoco AP. All have about the same range when used with Orinoco cards. When used with the Linksys cards the range went way down. So the Linksys product seems fine to me if you don't use their cards.

mrpeabody

 

[kbaxter]

Wow, what a timely thread....and I can share my two cents.....

I ordered the BEFW11S4 from buy.com, using a PM to Outpost.com, which had it for $159. Unfortunately, the unit was defective. The red "diag" light wanted to be on all the time. The manual says, simply, that it's an "internal error" and that it's defective. I decided to try customer support and after about 50 minutes on hold was told "it's defective". So back to Buy.com for unit #1....

I didn't want to wait for a replacement to ship, so I used the same deal that robilium described. I guess I was lucky and the manager that checked me out allowed the PM and the coupon. Even a better deal than from Buy.com, so I had effectively made some money. Hot!

...I thought....

It looks like this unit has its problems, too. I can communicate to it via the LAN and set configuration and it looks to be working normally. But it doesn't seem to be communicating on the wireless link. I fired up NetStumbler (great tool) and it sees zip. I can be one foot from the unit and nothng. The WLAN Link light is happily on, thinking that it's being a great access point. Tough to access. I'm going to exchange it for one more unit and if that one isn't a true WAP, then I'm switching brands to Netgear!

In the interest of fairness, the reason I wanted the Linksys is that a buddy at work had one and we had it running on our LAN for a while. He found it very easy to setup and get running and I found that it had very good range. I could get at least 100 feet from the unit in most cases and often could go twice that and still have very good data rates going. I wish I'd had better luck.

Good luck to all of you finding your WAP deal and I hope you have better results. It's a great technology when it works and I'm still excited about getting the rest of my wireless network in place.

 

[TheToddler]

Well I suppose everyone's experience is different. I have had this Linksys running for about 6 months and I've had zero issues with it. I use it to connect to work over a VPN connection from my den downstairs and I have had zero dropouts. I tried another brand before I tried the Linksys and the other brand disconnected me way too often. I also tried the Linksys card first but ended up using a Lucent/Orinoco card. I have zero compaints about the Linksys, I absolutely love the setup. It has truly been a satisfying purchase. If you need the product and you can get this deal, I would jump on it.

 

[kof]

That's a pretty good price, but all the 802.11b prices are falling, because 802.11a is out. The only reason to buy 802.11b is if your cheap and it fits your needs.
A few months ago an 802.11b access point cost $200, a router $300 and a card $100. Now you can get 802.11a routers for $350, and PC cards for $150 and virtually NOT have to worry about range or interference from 2.4 Ghz devices.
I've a Linksys 802.11b wireless router, a Linksys USB, a SMC PC card, and a SMC USB. I get fair to middlin' reception throughout my house with the SMC card, except one far corner, about 50 feet away, where the direct path includes 3 walls, a floor/ceiling, plumbing, and the central air system. The linksys USB is about 10 feet and one floor/ceiling away and the signal strength is 100%. The SMC USB is in the afore mentioned far corner and gets poor reception, however always at least my cable speeds.
If you have ANY concerns about using one, or the combination to use, buy from a place where you can talk to the manager and be SURE you can return it for a refund if it does not work up to your expectation (then if youre really cheap take it back and buy elsewhere). As mentioned different house configurations will drastically affect both 802.11b and 802.11a signal strength. If you've got metal doors and walls it probably won't work.
If you have a small condo 802.11b will probably be fine, if you've got a mansion larger than Bill Gates you'll need 802.11a.
All said and done, wireless is the way to go if you have to either run wires or be mobile.

 

[robilium]

Hey guys,

I got it all up and running. Veyr nice works great. Good range.

I work for Cisco, and even with my 70% off discount this linksys was a better deal. My roomate does have one of the cisco aironet's, and the performance is the same range wise. However, his doesnt have the 4 port switch or the built in routing.

I do use a Cisco Wireless card in the laptop, that may be why.

Also as for 802.11a, no one really knows what the defacto standard will be at that level. Will it be 802.11a or 802.11g? Most companies and corporations and airports are rolling out the 802.11b. And ya I know one of them is backward compatable. (a?) But hey for 139, I couldnt disagree

The wife is happy. No more wires.

 

[dman]

There was a thread about this Linksys Router @ WalMart for $99 to $117. Seems like some stores were clearing out of them. I checked the local stores and they either didn't carry them at all, or, it was the walmart regular price of $199. But, worth checking into if you have a walmart nearby.

PS. Should have mentioned it was the Linksys Wireless Router in the Thread Subject. Makes it easier to find stuff later.

 

[robilium]

Done

 

[kastaway]

I don't know what this person is talking about, I am using this router the the pcmcia wireless card from linksys and have had great results on win xp . I us at home con go up stairs or down stairs, out side in the back yard i have gone up to 100ft no problem. However once you use the wep encription then the throughput drops by about 50%.
For this price deffinitely a nice deal, if the staples CS rep lets it go through.



<< this product sucks, IMO. not trying to deal bash, but just FYI. ordered from dell and had to return cause range was about 15ft >>