Rating: Summary: Did not work with Intel Centrino Mini-PCI adapter Review: SETUP: * LAN connection to WinXP desktop w/generic 10/100 LAN card. * WAN connection to WinXP laptop using Intel Centrino-based Mini-PCI card. * Motorola cable modem. * User has extensive engineering background, but is by no means a wireless expert or network admin type guy.PRO: * Nice user interface. Clear, simple, straightforward, brief help tips displayed on the side. * Wired LAN connection came up immediately. No configuration required. CON: * WAN did not seem to work with Intel Centrino-based Mini-PCI adapter, despite downloading latest drivers, other assorted stuff the various tech support people suggested. According to the laptop manufacturer's tech support, this was a known problem that should've been fixed with the latest Netgear driver (didn't fix problem in my case). * My experience with Netgear tech support (called three times) was very poor. Bored, overworked people with poor communication skills. CONCLUSION: * Ended up returning this and getting a Linksys BEFW11S4, which has been working fine. However, some people seem to have had the OPPOSITE experience (returned Linksys; swear by Netgear). Go figure. With this kind of gear, it looks like you just have to buy it and try it. Netgear may work great for some people, and not for others. Same with Linksys. * No hassles with Amazon return, which was nice.
Rating: Summary: Very simple to install and use Review: Installation of this product couldn't be easier. WinXP has all the drivers. It's almost a plug and play. I haven't looked into the security options--I suspect those would take a little more time to setup. Literally-10 minutes out of the box I had this product up and running along with Netgear's wireless PCMCIA card (MA401) for my laptop.
Rating: Summary: Only for pros Review: This is a great product at a fantastic price (with rebate). Yet, if you have even the simplest need for support you will lose your savings in a hurry if you call tech support ($2/min!). I had a simple question (does the wireless router support Appletalk) which was incorrectly answered (it doesn't) for $8.
Rating: Summary: Works great and the price is right. Get it. Review: I bought this wireless router about 6 months ago and have not had experienced any problems at all, and I use my laptop daily at home. The link quality is excellent all through my house and in the backyard. I do have a small house, though (1600 sq ft). Don't have any issues to report as never had to reboot or troubleshoot in any way. Installation was piece of cake too. I'm very pleased with this Netgear router. And you can't beat the price. Give it 5 stars.
Rating: Summary: Easy setup Review: Very easy to setup. This unit has a strong signal, and operates at full speed even across the house. Don't even notice a drop in broadband speed.
Rating: Summary: Excellent choice for the average broadband customer. Review: I've been using the MR814 (v1, there's a version 2 out. What the difference is, I'm not sure) for about half a year now, and I've been pretty happy with it. This product is a good solution for a household with several computers that all want to share an internet connection, but don't want to have to pay for extra IP numbers from their ISP. Built into the MR814 is a DCHP server that allows for, theoretically, over 100 computers to share the same internet connection. Realistically, what this means is that your main home computers can connect via the built-in wired 4 port 10/100 hub, and you can have all of your wireless enabled gadgets surfing, issue free, via the WiFi 802.11b connection. The interface for the product is simple to use and clearly laid out. There could have been a little more documentation for it, but over all most things are pretty straight forward. you can access the configuration via any web browser of a computer that is connected to it (do not change settings with a wireless connection as it resets the wifi whenever you save changes). Range for the Wifi is pretty decent. Without encryption enabled I can wander several hundred feet without losing signal. I could write this review from anywhere in the house or anywhere in my back yard without any issues as all. I.. well.. I haven't tested the range with encryption enabled because.. well.. the documentation isn't exactly crystal clear on how to get that working correctly. So, I've just kept it off for now. The unit itself looks good and can be mounted on a wall, placed horizontal, or placed vertically with an included freestanding mount. The icons on the face of the unit glow a soft green (yellow if the computers are connected via the hardwired 4 port hub and only running at 10MB). So. Trying to set up a home network with a few computers? Trying to find something to match your Ikea furniture? Then the MR814 will work pretty well for you.
Rating: Summary: Great and easy center for a home wireless network Review: We've long had a single computer in our four-person house, and now that we're finally expanding that number to three (all Windows), we wanted an easy way to network them for file- and DSL-sharing. We also wanted wireless capability, because my wife's new laptop would be roaming about and the two desktops would be far enough across the house from each other to make stringing network cable rather impractical (especially to this hardware-klutz). After much review-searching, we decided to try Netgear products, and the MR814 router sounded ideal. Setting up the MR814 was very easy. The setup software was straightforward, and printed instructions very carefully walk the uncertain user through those. With one computer cable-plugged into the router, it was easy to have the router up and running in about 10-15 minutes. Another 15-20 minutes spent installing a MA521 card into the WinXP laptop, and we had wireless. 15 minutes to install an MA111 adapter on the family WinXP desktop, and we were all set. Both wireless connections get strong dependable signals from across the house (typically 40-50 feet and 2 or 3 walls away), complete with 128-bit WEP. And the remaining desktop plugs in directly via cabled port with no problems. Generally comfortable with Windows computers, but relatively clueless about networking, I'm very happy with our Netgear home network.
Rating: Summary: Inexpensive and a good performer Review: The Netgear MR814 installed without a hitch and the $20 rebate made the deal. Total installation must have taken 5 minutes tops. Reception in my apartment is excellent, 11Mbps most of the time, but only talking 1200 sq ft area, one floor (you would expect it to be good at that distance). one flight down outside my apartment, the signal is cut to 2Mbps.
Rating: Summary: terrible tech support Review: I purchased the MR814 in Feb.2003 and it worked fine for 6 months and then I lost my connection. I contacted tech support several times and had to wait each time 30 minutes or more. The system would work for sometimes a day and sometimes only a few hours after re-configuring and re-setting,etc, with the tech. Then I was finally sent to level 2 technical support and waited online for over an hour. He tried everything, then issued me a RMA for a return. I haven't recieved the new router yet, but will do another review after I recieve the new one. I also had to pay a $14.90 fee for the returning of the router. Unless you have a lot of time to spend online with technical support if something goes wrong, I wouldn't recommend buying this product.
Rating: Summary: Netgear MR814v2 - not worth the hassle Review: Well, you've probably already read this a thousand times, but the router is totally usless. Configuration is simple, however none of this matters if it can't hold a wireless connection longer than 30 minutes. I'm using a Gateway laptop with a built in Centrino and have had nothing but problems keeping it connected. I've uploaded firmware, changed channels, tweaked adapter settings, you name it doesn't work. I'm happy for those of you who've gotten it to work, but my recommendation is to look elsewhere. I'll be purchasing a different brand tomorrow, which I'll review as well.
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