Can Anyone Recommend A Dencent Wireless Network Adapter (PCI)?

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JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
29,552
429
126
Cut the BS, buy only cisco brand host adapters. They'll work under some of the harshest conditions and hold on to their connections.

Hmm... It is a little hard to "Cut the BS", when someone else is pouring it.


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TubeTote

Senior member
May 11, 2006
413
21
81
I wholeheartedly recommend the ENCORE ENLWI-N Wireless N Draft 2.0 PCI Card. [shamless plug]BTW, I happen to be selling one for $20 shipped in my FS thread [/shameless plug]

LOL...

Well...it does get good ratings and looks semi low-profile plus does n draft 2.0 (I have no idea what that means).

This decision is only becoming more difficult!

Those who are talking about the Cisco products, could you explain what it is that makes these better? Some of the other products people are presenting seem pretty decent from customer reviews and personal experiences they have had...have you tried these or other products and had bad experiences? If I am going to spend that much more money on the Cisco product, I need to understand why.
 

JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
29,552
429
126
If I am going to spend that much more money on the Cisco product, I need to understand why.

If you are running a business that depends on providing solid Wireless.

You go with professional hardware.

You need hardware that is durable and stable sending often a technician to fix things is much more expensive than the price the devices.

At home a $250 Wireless card would provide nothing (or very little more) than a good $20 card.

The network Forum here is probably one of the few forums that have memebers that are real IT Pro people.

Some of them member do use Cisco hardware at home.

Some of them are already in an executive level and they can get hardware from Cisco with deep discount, or even for free, when their business get rid of used hardware.

Some find it for free, or for a small fee, in their encounters with different Business clients, etc., etc.

Often their "Macho Posing" kicks in, and some of the guys play the "Cisco" trick on the "poor" confused End-Users.

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TubeTote

Senior member
May 11, 2006
413
21
81
At home a $250 Wireless card would provide nothing (or very little more) than a good $20 card.

Just to clarify...I run my own business from home. I have no employees here; my staff works out of a separate corporate office. I rely heavily on the internet to keep things going...a day without service is more or less a lost day. An ocassional glitch would be irritating, but as long as it was easily resolved and didn't happen often it would be livable. I really do want reliability, but also I must make this purchase at my own expense. I don't mind spending more money for something good, but if we are talking $20 to $50 vs. $250 plus, that is becoming a bit much unless it really is that much better. I would still like to know what makes these expensive network cards so much better.

EDIT: It should also be known that, in an emergency, I could move the modem into my office and connect wired. The modem is currently located in the basement entertainment room, where the most powerful computer is also located. This machine is pretty much continuously using the internet for a variety of purposes, so relocating the modem is very unappealing, but could be done if need be. Also note that I wouldn't want to move the modem permanently into the office as the current location allows for decent wireless reception throughout the household.
 
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Emulex

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2001
9,759
1
71
i just buy a wrt54gl (or any dd-wrt stable router) and use client mode to serve (router/ap) ethernet to (pc) ethernet. Far more stable - can maneuver the router to best position a bit easier than the short wires for the pci cards to antenna. takes the heat away as well.