some wireless experience

[palswim]

In choosing a wireless router, for me there is but one rule: don't choose Microsoft's hardware!

This is a heads-up for all those people who see a great deal from Microsoft on a router (or those who like to buy Microsoft products, in which case, you're all clear for reasons I will explain).

I had shopped around for a while checking out deals that Fry's, Best Buy, Circuit City and such had on wireless routers and found what I thought was a nice deal on a Microsoft 802.11g router. This router worked fine as a wired router, but that wasn't the purpose of my purchase.

So, having the wireless router I set out to look for wireless cards. I bought some Airlink 802.11g cards at Fry's for a low price in a sketchy box. When I installed this card, it would connect to the Microsoft router, but then drop after a few minutes.

This made me question the value of the Airlink cards, but my roomate and I decided to try the "Retail Challenge", as we like to call it (buying equipment to use for < 30 days and then returning it ^_-), getting a Linksys 802.11g router and pci card, and a Microsoft pci card.

The results were that the Microsoft router only works with Microsoft cards (i.e. - the cards stay connected to the router), but the Linksys router is equally friendly to all the cards.

Hope this helps a few people who consider buying a Microsoft router based on price or what not.

Ryan

 

[RagingBITCH]

That's a pretty biased opinion. You only tried one wireless card with the Microsoft router. For all you know it was the Airlink cards. Did you try the Airlink ones with the Microsoft router?

My 802.11b MN-500 works flawlessly with my Siemens 1022 Wireless USB Adapter. I previously had a Netgear which choked bigtime - it was the Netgear's problem, not the router. I'm sure there are plenty of other people who can vouch for Microsoft's wireless equipment.

 

[JackMDS]

Welcome to AnandTech Network Forum.

Microsoft Wireless is no better or worse than main stream Wireless hardware.

It is more expensive but it has nice D&eacute;cor value.

Quality Control of most of these ?Plastic Dressed? OEM Entry level Wireless Hardware is poor. You probably came across ?Bad? unit.

 

[JackMDS]

oops!

 

[palswim]

yes! i tried the Airlink cards + Microsoft router, the LinkSys card + Microsoft router, the Microsoft card + Microsoft router, and then the same test with the Linksys router. i figured people in this forum would give me the benefit of the doubt because i didn't want to make my post too long =P.

Ryan

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: palswim
yes! i tried the Airlink cards + Microsoft router, the LinkSys card + Microsoft router, the Microsoft card + Microsoft router, and then the same test with the Linksys router. i figured people in this forum would give me the benefit of the doubt because i didn't want to make my post too long =P.

Ryan

Most of us are skeptical. Dealt with too many sales people.