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Linksys WPC55AG Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter

Linksys WPC55AG Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter

List Price: $143.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Compatibility
Review: I bought the WPC55AG with the hope of using it in local business clubs with wireless access. The software would NOT load on my Dell L400 running Windows 2000 Professional. I kept getting a memory writing error, despite being ample memory available. After extensive self-research, I gave up and called Linksys Support, if you can call it that. After 45 minutes they gave up. I then took a harder look at the installtion CD and it said "Windows XP". I called them back and asked if the product was Windows 2000 compatible, and they said no it was certainly not. However, the technical data posted on Amazon says it should be compatible with my system. So unless you're a very skilled technician, and you can sort these problems, or you're running Windows XP, stay away from this nightmare.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Stick w/ WPC54G card if you have only have G network
Review: I have a Linksys WRT54G wireless G router and I have tried it with 2 card offerings from Linksys - the WPC54G (for 802.11 b/g) and the WPC55AG (for 802.11 a/b/g). I can honestly say that with my router (w/ latest firmware version 1.02.1) I have had very strong streaming connection w/ the WPC54G card, not so with the WPC55AG. Using the a/b/g WPC55AG, the connection was significantly weaker and I would lose connection at the same distance. My desk is about 20 paces away from the router as the crow flies, (ie: other end of the 2 bedroom condo). Here is a pic of the 2 cards side by side: http://....

In conclusion, I would NOT recommend the linksys WPC55AG card if you DO NOT have to connect to a 802.11a wireless network.
I have not had to connect to a 802.11a wireless network so I cannot comment on this card's connection ability in a 5GHz network. Secondly, wireless 802.11a networks are quite rare. If you only have a Linksys WRT54G, then stick with the WPC54G card.

I purchased the Linksys WPC54G laptop card and WRT54G wireless 4 port router on Amazon for $...(UPS ground shipping included).

I purchased the Linksys WPC55AG laptop card for $...(SHIPPING included) on ....com. Their price unfortunately has since gone up ($...), but I was happy w/ their service. I received the product 5 days later via FEDEX.

Look up WPC55AG on http://www.....com for the best deal. Enter your ZIP to see the bottom line price including shipping.

One last tidbit, you could always go to Best Buy and purchase both cards to test them out for yourself. You are allowed to return the product withing 14 days. CompUSA will also probably have the product but imposes a restocking fee :(

Hope this was helpful.

- vw

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wireless Labtop- The Way To Go
Review: I just recently move from dial-up to DSL. Going DSL was not enough; I did not want to have cables running though the house so I started looking into going wireless. To make a long story short, after a little investigation I decided to make the leap into wireless technology. I purchased the WAP55AG router and the adapter cards, WMP55AG and WPC55AG.

Once the WAP55AG router was installed and set up, the installation of the WPC55AG Notebook Adapter was simple.

I had no difficulty setting up the hardware and software and with a few hours, I was on the net through the router. My laptop is running XP Home edition.

The LinkSys Web site has all the documentation you need for installation and setup. There is a "Knowledge Base" page that covers a lot of the products and answers to a lot of questions about various products and configurations; I found it to be very helpful.

Pulled from LinkSys Web Site:
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The Linksys Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter lets your notebook communicate with all three wireless network standards. With one PC Card, you can connect to Wireless-A (802.11a), Wireless-G (draft 802.11g) and Wireless-B (802.11b) networks.

Wireless-B networks have a data rate of 11Mbps, and are commonly found in corporate environments and in homes for household Internet connectivity without the need for running cables. They're also popping up all over the country in coffee shops, airports, hotels, convention centers, and other public spaces offering "on the go" connectivity to mobile users.
In high speed or heavy usage environments, Wireless-B is quickly being replaced by a new standard, Wireless-G, which uses the same 2.4GHz radio band, but at 54Mbps, is almost five times faster. The third wireless network standard is Wireless-A, which also runs at 54Mbps, but operates in the less-crowded 5GHz radio band. Wireless-A is mostly used in corporate installations.

Features of the product:
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Universal wireless adapter connects your notebook PC to Wireless-A (802.11a), Wireless-B (802.11b), or Wireless-G (draft 802.11g) networks
Incredible data rates up to 54Mbps in Wireless-G and A modes
Also downward compatible with popular 11Mbps Wireless-B devices and networks
Protects your wireless communications with up to 152-bit encryption

System Requirements (Minimum):
---------------------------------------------
200MHz of Faster Processor
64MB RAM
Available Slot
CD-ROM Drive
Windows 98SE, Me, 2000 or XP

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Fine, but do you really need A?
Review: I purchased this card to complement my WRT55AG, dual-band router. I've not had particularly good luck connecting in A mode; in fact, I rarely use it because it's unable to maintain a solid connection. I don't know if this is the hardware or just life with "A", but I would not recommend using it in a residential setting. Save the bucks, stick with G/B.

On the other hand, I"ve had no problems connecting to G (which I use at home) or B (on the road). The supplied software is pretty good for helping identify and select new networks, though it does take a few minutes to switch to a new network.

Summary: unless you have a compelling reason, just stick with B/G.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Fine, but do you really need A?
Review: I purchased this card to complement my WRT55AG, dual-band router. I've not had particularly good luck connecting in A mode; in fact, I rarely use it because it's unable to maintain a solid connection. I don't know if this is the hardware or just life with "A", but I would not recommend using it in a residential setting. Save the bucks, stick with G/B.

On the other hand, I"ve had no problems connecting to G (which I use at home) or B (on the road). The supplied software is pretty good for helping identify and select new networks, though it does take a few minutes to switch to a new network.

Summary: unless you have a compelling reason, just stick with B/G.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: plug in and it works!
Review: The WPC55AG is a dream! Plugged it into my Dell X200 notebook and in an instant I was connected! Seamlessly finds and connects to either A or G band.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: VERY Impressive!
Review: This is my first attempt at a wireless network, and I am just blown away with this Linksys dual band system. I am writing this review from my HP ZE4220 Pavillion notebook a half a house away from my cable modem. I installed this card and the matching router with no problems...I was expecting to be [messing] with it for days, but I was finished in less than an hour...pretty much plug & play. I did not use the setup CD...I configured everything per the Quick Install guides. I have three wired desktops running Win98se along with this notebook running WinXP home edition on the system. The performance now is just as fast as when I had this notebook wired directly via cat5 cable. This setup was way too easy, now I have to find another project for the weekend. Rock solid so far.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A true Plug-in , A confidence building Wi-fi product
Review: This was my first fling into wi-fi and managed to establish my first wireless connection within 15-20 minutes. Talking of connectivity,the reception is excellent . Works great in airports, coffee shops with wireless-B too...
This product definitely gave me the confidence to Wi-fi my home, my desktop and my PDA.




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