How Good are Belkin Wireless Products?

[thebestMAX]

Seems like Office Max has a good deal on Belkins Access Point and wireless cards for laptops and desktops.

Anyone have any experience with these?

Just want to add wireless access for 1 laptop in bedroom by adding an AP to my wired Linksys Router and dont want to spend any more than necessary.

Thanks

Access Point - $70
PCMCIA Card - $40 with a FREE desktop PCI card.

Wireless router - $90 FYI

 

[MoFunk]

Bump ^ because I would like to know as well!

 

[InverseOfNeo]

I dont have any experience with these myself but I have told quite a few of them and have had relatively no returns.

 

[iDazzler]

I've had Belkin Wireless PCMCIA card for a good 8 months now and have had no issues with it. I've been using the Belkin Wireless DSL/Gateway Router Router with it as well. The only issue with the router has been the need to constantly reset it every couple of days since I upgraded with latest firmware.

As a whole, I'm very happy with the Belkin products I've purchased...

 

[JackMDS]

The effect of the habitat on Wireless performance is so important, that other people experience is not as credible as with other Network Components.

The way I see it:

Wireless is depending heavily on the environment. I.e. The distance of the Client from the Base station (Wireless Router or Access Point), and the nature of the obstructions surrounding the installation.

One or two walls, and 20-40' all of them should work OK. More walls, longer distance, and or noisy RF environment, you will need the "Upper End" of the Entry level Wireless Hardware.[/b]

If you go for broke you buy the inexpensive of the week at a Mega store (on Sale Rebate etc.). Install, and try if it covers your environment.

Does not work return. The Wireless manufactures are not stating distance in terms of real life, thus buying a set, and returning due to lack of coverage, makes sense.

In case El Cheappo does not work for you.

For the Laptop I would get the Orinoco Gold Client Card.

Example: ORINOCO GOLD PCCARD PCMCIA 802.11B CLIENT W/128 BIT ENCRYPTION

For a moderate price the Linksys WAP11 is good choice.

Linksys WAP11

For real Entry level Power: ORINOCO AP-200 LOW COST ACCESS POINT FOR HOME OR SOHO OFFICE

For Wireless Router I would go with the SMC Barricade, or Netgear.

If the Entry Level not suffices I would look into the Cisco Wireless. It is a leap in performance as well as the amount of money.

Primer to the Topic here:

AnandTech - FAQ. What do I need for wireless Networking?

 

[RyO721]

I've had belkin Wireless PCMCIA card for a good 8 months now and have had no issues with it. I've been using the belkin Wireless DSL/Gateway Router Router with it as well. The only issue with the router has been the need to constantly reset it every couple of days since I upgraded with latest firmware.

Yep. i get that problem too. No biggie tho. reseting only takes like 5 seconds (unplug power and plugging it back in)