Choosing an Ethernet Card

[applesseed]

My uncle ask me to install a NIC card in his Win98 machine. Before doing so, I agreed that I should buy the NIC card first so I need suggestions whether the options below are worth it. As of now, he wish to have a NIC install in his machine so he could get broadband (currently has) and later on he'll buy a much higher OS like Windows XP probably say within 6 months from today.

I'm looking at Fry's Electronic

Airlink+ ASHOVIA - 10/100Mbps PCI Network Card
http://shop1.outpost.com/product/3711276
10/100 Base T :
Outpost #: 3711276
Price: $6.99


D-Link DFE-530TX+ 10/100 PIC NIC With Wake-On Lan
http://shop1.outpost.com/product/2700333
10/100 Base T :
Outpost #: 2700333
Price: $6.29 after $5.00 mail-in rebate


... so any suggestions? anyone? Thanks in advance.

 

[Matthias99]

I'd say the D-Link just because I've heard of them before. Normally I try to stick with name brands (like 3Com, Netgear, Linksys) for networking equipment, but the cheaper stuff usually works fine. 10/100 ethernet NICs are generally *very* mature products nowadays, and I haven't had a problem with one in a long time.

 

[Sideswipe001]

I have had a number of problems. :/

D-link network adapters were incompatible with Symantec VPN software (causes crashes), and one of my friends had a "network anywhere" card that crashed him while he played online games (took us a long time to figure out the network card was the cause). I only trust name brand now - 3com, Intel , Netgear, and Linksys usually, in that order.

 

[applesseed]

Well... there's no gaming involve for sure (he's like... 60 yrs old) and it's kinda temporary since pretty soon he's gonna buy a new computer. All he wants is to enjoy his broadband connection, web surfing, emailing and sharing folders/printers.

3com, Netgear, Linksys... yea I know they're brand name... but isn't D-Link one of them too?

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

FWIW, I'm using a pile of the Netgear 10/100 NICs, and they've worked well for years for me.

 

[Iron Woode]

I have used something like over 10 different company's nics.

The best was Intel.

I used a D-link 530-TX and it worked just fine.

I also used one from some company that started with a K. It was just an Intel clone but worked great.

Go with the d-link for now.

 

[Doh!]

These very inexpensive NICs all have realtek chips (mostly 8139). Among the budget NICs, I prefer Linksys as it performed the best according to a benchmark I've seen a while ago. But I have 2 D-link, 2 Linksys, and one by SMC currrently in my machines, and they all work fine.

 

[JackMDS]

Look a little more and you will find one for free.

 

[skyking]

The only NIC that completely went bad on me was a netgear, but that is not a very conclusive study..... pretty funny though. I was ssh'ed into a server, and it slowly went south, lots of funny activity on the lights. I unplugged the cable, and all the lights stayed on! Tried console, and it totally locked up and needed a hard boot
Like Jack said, you can find Free After Rebate belkins at officemax, 5$ out the door and a 5$ MIR. They have always worked for me.

 

[JackMDS]

We are talking about small networks 2-5 computers.

Here is a link to a test and report of the differences

http://www6.tomshardware.com/network/01q3/010820/nic-11.html#conclusion

=============================================

However if it is a clinical issue with a rapid necessity to reduce anxiety.

Intel's NIC seems to be the product of choice.

 

[MontysNotebook]

I'd go with the D-Link.

Like many ppl said, it's better to stick with a company that's a large name brand that has been shown to work with most ppl.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: MontysNotebook
I'd go with the D-Link.

Like many ppl said, it's better to stick with a company that's a large name brand.

Why?
Large name brand means a non technical decision to spend more money on marketing (Enron & WorldCom were brand names).

Link to: 10/100 PCI Adapter with Wake-On-Lan (free after rebate).

Concerning Entry Level Hardware.
Do you have technological data that brand names have better products (in lieu of the fact that is the same OEM as the rest of the crowd)?

 

[Viperoni]

My Intel Pro100+ M's run great!