Is SMC7004AWBR much better than the Linksys wireless?

[need4spd]

I currently have a Linksys wireless AP+router ... Although it does "work' OK...it seems a bit sluggish. (second PC is 50-60 ft away from base unit)

After reading here and there.... I realize that many are very satisfied with SMC7004AWBR wireless,,,
I am willing to take the time and effort to exchange the Linksys for the well regarded SMC product.

What do you all think... IS the SMC 'That" much better?
OR should I just change out the Linksys USB adapter for a different model (Lucent?)

So which piece would you trade out... one or both?

Thanks.. (BTW, CompUSA has the SMC7004AWBR for $199 - $50 rebate (ends today 1-5-02)

 

[need4spd]

OK..

I ended up answering my own question.

I went out and bought the SMC wireless router and swapped it for the Linksys Wireless .. I did numerous tests and found that (at least in my situation) they perform about the same.

Now this is using the same Linksys USB adapter on the client pc... So my conclusion is that the USB adapter may be the item that makes the "real" difference in the world of wireless networking..

OK so now where do I get that Orinoco USb for a good deal?

 

[Nighthawk69]

If you search around the Internet you can find them for around $140... that's the cheapest I could find them away from eBay, which is where I ended up buying mine and I got them for about $100 - $110 shipped and new.

Good luck, and I had suspected that the adapters would make the most difference, but there must be a reason that everyone recommends the SMC wireless router, so I would definitely keep that one over the Linksys, IMO.

 

[need4spd]

Yes I will end up keeping the SMC...

In fact I just did something that enhanced my Signal Strength and Link Quality quite a bit... Now the USB adapter's utility is LINK 80% and Signal 73%...which is way up from the LINK and SIGnal of 50s%-60s% range earlier today)

All I did .. was raise the SMC barricade up from the desk it was sitting on by about 6 inches. It is now sitting on a couple books (I know so high-tech!)

MAn.. placement Really makes a difference with this model.. (the Linksys router wasn't as sensitive to this?)

 

[todays]

Your next project in an antenna for the SMC - I own both an SMC7004AWBR and a Linksys WAP11 - Both are excellent the SMC has the router built in. The WAP11 can be placed somewhere else using Power over Eithernet for remote operation. The best wireless cards are the Orinico based on the Lucent chipset. Seems like they get a better signal further away from the access points over the Prisim based cards. Here is the inside of the SMC7004AWBR Inside view and the connector and socket. internal connector I couldn't help myself. I had to crack one open to see if I could add an external antenna.

 

[ktwebb]

Unless Orinco has a 100mW version of their client card, the 100mW Cisco 350 PCMCIA card will smoke it on coverage. Caveat is the price. Probably not worth the extra cash.

 

[need4spd]

Todays... cool pictures of this inside of the router .. you couldn't resist cracking it open

I am pretty sure I won't need the extra antenna.. The SMC and the Orinoco USB Gold are working flawlessly in my house.

I couldn't be more pleased with the quality...

To anyone thinking about creating a home network .. wireless could be a great way to go! It works well for me in my house (right now I am typing on the remote PC about 55 feet from the were the router and cable modem are .. Orinoco's signal is excellent 'solid green bars'