Netgear mr314 versus me102

[rw120555]

I currently have a Netgear rp334 router (the rp334 provides support for both an ethernet and HomePna network). I now want to add a wireless access point. Since I'm happy with netgear, I've been thinking about their ME102 device. However, their Mr314 seems to have more features; besides providing wireless access, it includes multiple ethernet jacks. The list prices for the two devices are almost identical, and the mr314 is currently on sale for $50 less than the Me102.

So, I'm trying to figure out what the "catch" is. Are both equally good as wireless access points? (I notice the me102 has 2 antenna and the mr314 only has one, in case that makes a big difference.) Can both be hooked up to an existing network (I assume the mr314 becomes more like a hub than a router if you do that -- I'm also assuming that that you can disable the dhcp server capabilites of the wireless devices and make them get their ip addresses dynamically).

If both work equally well as wireless access points, then the mr314 seems like a much better deal -- it is currently much cheaper and includes these extra ethernet ports if I ever want them. But, I'd rather pay the extra $ if the Me102 will work better. Given that the Mr314 seems to have more features, the pricing is puzzling to me, and I wonder if there is something about the Me102 that makes it worth the cost.

Thanks for any info. RW

 

[Agamar]

I have also been considering the MR314. I was waiting to see what others think about it first though...I was also considering the Linksys EtherFast cable router also. It has 4 hardwire and wireless ports also. Anyway, if you do decide to get the MR314, post a message telling us what you think of it.