Microsoft 802.11b wireless router and Access Point, $36 AR via Dell - up to 10 quantity allowed!

[mrVW]

Ok, I'll revise this as I go.

This is the MN-500. It is both a router (NAT box) and wireless access point! 4-port Ethernet switch plus WiFi.

0. Start out at Dell with a virgin browser (no cookies, etc). Do NOT sign-in. Search for SKU A0064261.
1. Dell 15% + 15% still working. $56.05 price listed on the item page... Price jumps to $65 when you add it to cart.
2. Sign-in to your small business account. Then you get $56.05 price back + 15% off ($8.40 more if my math is right). Final price somewhere around $48.00 + sales tax.
3. Microsoft has a $20 rebate! Microsoft Rebate - PDF file. Rebate is in upper right of page. expires end of June (6/30/2003).

Final price, under $30.

Even better, Microsoft allows up to QUANTITY 10 for the rebate!

These routers can work as a wireless bridge mode in pairs!


UPDATE
Deal appears to be reduced. Now you just get 15%.... so $56.05 - $20 rebate. $36.05

 

[mrVW]

Bump. Updated all info. Good deal!

 

[Angrymarshmello]

I recently bought this Wireless Router - it is absolutely fantastic! Had zero problems setting it up, super user friendly, and the Base Station Management page is easy to figure out. That is a bad @$$ deal for $30.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello
I recently bought this Wireless Router - it is absolutely fantastic! Had zero problems setting it up, super user friendly, and the Base Station Management page is easy to figure out. That is a bad @$$ deal for $30.

Agreed.

Bought this from Target a while ago and LOVE IT.

I've heard that it's a rebadged Linksys, no wonder

 

[mrVW]

I already had a couple of these and was looking for a couple more. About the only thing I don't like is the lack of antenna jack... it just has a fixed connected antenna.

Being able to act as a Bridge / Access Point / or home router is nice. Microsoft is also REALLY GOOD with rebates.

 

[roncarter]

I got the deal that you posted, but im not understanding what this 15% plus another 15% off means. Isnt it only 15% off once?

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: roncarter
I got the deal that you posted, but im not understanding what this 15% plus another 15% off means. Isnt it only 15% off once?

there is a stackable coupon that should have been emailed to subscribers

 

[mrVW]

No,

15% + 15%.... a glitch in the Dell matrix.

They discount both the price of the ITEM and the cart total.... so you get 27% or so total off the $65 list price.

No coupons involved. coupons only make it better!

 

[NoahFecks]

The netgear MR814 comes in at about the same price, if you count the rebate below (says dell on the rebate, but dell's store does not list the rebate)

57.76
Discounts -$8.66
$20 rebate
http://cache.techdepot.com/comassets/MfgCoupons/3487.pdf

So if you are not looking to buy 10, which one would you get?

 

[RossMAN]

NoahFecks - Even if I were just buying 1, I would still buy the Microsoft WAP. It's excellent, highly recommended.

 

[Souka]

heh.... bet these are already selling on eBay

 

[mrVW]

Yha, netgear rebate is Limit 1! Microsoft allows up to 10 with a single rebate form!

 

[Francodman]

Cool... I needed a wireless router...now to find some wireless PCI cards or shoudl i get usb adapters?

 

[roncarter]

Originally posted by: Francodman
Cool... I needed a wireless router...now to find some wireless PCI cards or shoudl i get usb adapters?

yea.. im looking for some usb adapters too....know any good ones ross man?

 

[mrVW]

Dell sells the Microsoft USB, it too has a rebate.... get it on the same purchase.

 

[roncarter]

Originally posted by: mrVW
Dell sells the Microsoft USB, it too has a rebate.... get it on the same purchase.

wheres the rebate for that sucker... also, how is everyone getting that 5% coupon. I cant generate that sucker.. so if anyone has one for me.. id greatly appreciate it

 

[KingofBladez]

My current DSL modem already has built in NAT....could I just plug this thing into my Linksys switch and use it ONLY as an access point? I dont feel like having nested NAT in my network
Its only going to be used for one laptop right now anyway.
Thanks for any help

 

[Francodman]

Originally posted by: roncarter

Originally posted by: mrVW
Dell sells the Microsoft USB, it too has a rebate.... get it on the same purchase.

wheres the rebate for that sucker... also, how is everyone getting that 5% coupon. I cant generate that sucker.. so if anyone has one for me.. id greatly appreciate it

Looks like it comes with it on the box. Same deal w/ the router. http://shop.microsoft.com/Referral/Productinfo.asp?siteID=11400

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: roncarter

Originally posted by: mrVW
Dell sells the Microsoft USB, it too has a rebate.... get it on the same purchase.

wheres the rebate for that sucker... also, how is everyone getting that 5% coupon. I cant generate that sucker.. so if anyone has one for me.. id greatly appreciate it

We use the Microsoft MN-510 USB adapter on my wife's PC and it works great.

Rebate for USB adapter

 

[mrVW]

Someone asked me via PM:


I saw your post about the MN-500 and read that you had a few. How exactly does the MN-500 function as a wireless bridge? Is it similar to the functionality of the Linksys WET11?

Can I use one MN-500 as a router, while using another MN-500 hooked up to a normal NIC as a wireless bridge, allowing me to connect to the network without the need to buy a wireless NIC?


The short answer is that the WET11 and equal DLink are special and I suggest researching them.

There are three types of bridges that I am aware of:

1. Two wireless access points connected via wireless in bridge mode. This allows:

[Computers with Ethernet] ---> [Wireless Router] ~~~~ [Wireless Router] <--- [Computers with Ethernet]

Then any computers on the Eternet think they are on the same cabled network. The pair of wireless routers "bridge" the network. This would be of use to connect two Ethernet (cable) LANS in two houses via a Wireless Link.

2. A wireless access point acting as a "client" (Ethernet Gateway) to another wireless access point.

3. A single wireless router acting in "bridge mode". Instead of acting as a DHCP server and NAT box, it puts clients onto the Ethernet network then lets them act like they are on the same network.

[Computer with Wireless] ~~~~~~~ [Wireless Router] <----> [Computers with Ethernet]



Three devices: the LinkSys WAP11 can do ALL 3 modes. I believe the Microsoft box can only do #1 and #3. The LinkSys WET11 (not WAP11) can act as #2.

LinkSys WAP1: 1,2,3
Microsoft 500: 1,3
LinkSys WET11: 2


Clear as mud? Anyone confirm my understanding.



I haven't had the time to play with the MN-500 much. Here is how I currently have two of them configured.

[MN-500 #1 acting as NAT server to Cable Modem and Wireless, DHCP server]

200 feet of Ethernet cable goes to

[MN-500 #2 in bridge mode]

That way I have the two devices about 200 feet apart. Then I can roam between the two units (more wireless range). When I am on #2, it bridges to the Ethernet and goes to #1 and out to the Internet. This isn't the same as a "wireless bridge" - but it fits my needs.

Maybe you could post what you want to do and we can try to see what solution fits.

Hope this helps.

 

[mrVW]

None of mine (purchased at Best Buy a week ago) came with rebate forms. Look at the link on the first post of this thread.

 

[RayW69]

The WET11 allows a "wired" ethernet device to connect to a wireless network. I'm wondering if the MN-500 can provide this functionality.

For example, an Xbox has a built in NIC, but there is no possible way to install a wireless nic. The WET11 allows the Xbox NIC to connect to a wireless router. I'm wondering if the MN-500 can provide the same thing.

 

[Michifan12]

Hey good deal! I had a question though....does anyone know if I can use this JUST as an access point. I have a linksys wired router/switch and wanted to add an access point so I can take my laptop anywhere in my house. Thanks!

 

[rasputinj]

Good deal for a great wireless router. Get it while it is hot, before Dell pulls the plug.

 

[AU Tiger]

Originally posted by: RayW69
The WET11 allows a "wired" ethernet device to connect to a wireless network. I'm wondering if the MN-500 can provide this functionality.

For example, an Xbox has a built in NIC, but there is no possible way to install a wireless nic. The WET11 allows the Xbox NIC to connect to a wireless router. I'm wondering if the MN-500 can provide the same thing.

I wish I had known the answer to this as well before I placed my order last night. I ended up paying $132 before the rebate on the Router for the MN-500 (to replace my current Linksys non-wireless router) and the WET-11 for my XBOX. Still happy with the net $112 I spent, but it would have been a lot cheaper to go the dual MN-500 route if it works.