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Microsoft MN-730 Wireless 802.11g PCI Adapter

Microsoft MN-730 Wireless 802.11g PCI Adapter

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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Impressed
Review: I bought the Microsoft wireless-g pci adapter and wireless router after reading reviews about wireless-g on tomshardware.com, which said the Microsoft hardware had a very fast and reliable connection. The review surprised me, but I had no problems at all with the installation and they've been running with no problems at all for the past 3 months. The router even updated it's firmware online and the adapter updated it's software with the latest version immediately following the installation. I thought I was going to have problems because I already have a Siemens firewall/router with a printer port which I wanted to keep. I wanted to plug the wireless router into the Siemens router and was very surprised that Microsoft's setup for the router included this scenario. I also read online reviews that recommended first installing your wireless network (from any manufacturer) without security to get it working, and then adding security (WPA or WEP) once you're sure it's working. I was too impatient to do this and enabled security during installation without any problems.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Easy set up
Review: I had a DLink wired router through which I connected my desktop (Gateway), Laptop (Dell) and IMac. I bought an IPAQ 4100 (built in 902.11b) and thought I might as well get onboard the wireless wave and try it out. I nervously tore the DLink out, followed the directions that Microsft sent with the unit and I was up and running in no time. I had a little trouble at first, but a quick call to Microsoft Network Tech support (free for two years with purchase of product)solved the problem. They just had me shut everything down, then resart everything. It all worked - the laptop through the included wireless network adapter, the IPAQ, and the Imac (wired). The shared printer took a little time to figure out, but that too is now up and running.
Great product. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Finally something that works
Review: I had a linksys, d-link pci cards and nothing worked well with my linksys 54g router. For this one to work, I had to use the XP configuration instead of the one provided with the card. But it works, is fast and reliable. I do not have the best connection to my router, but I still get 24-36 mps. Yeah!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: not very compatible.
Review: I have an airport extreme network which works fine with my iBook, my Motion computing wireless (intel) and even the xbox MN-740 wireless adapter. I sure couldn't get it to work with this one though. Until microsnots gets their compatibility act together, avoid this product.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: MN-730 Networkers stay away from this product !!
Review: I just recently baught a Mircosoft MN-730 wireless PCI adapter.
The product looks very nice, .. at first sight.
I tried to install it on a W2K Dell Dimension PC.
Installation seemed to work properly. However once you get to turning on the WEP you find out quickly that Micorsoft has not implemented all features of the 802.11g standard.

First the package advertises that the adapter can be secured using the new 256 bit encryption - well, .. the PCI dapater might be able to do that, the configuration utility (MS Broadband Network Utility) does not support it.

Next you find that installing the WEP key only allows you to use 1 key, other routers allow you to define 4 different keys. Who knows, what happens, if you select one of the alternate keys at the router. I tested it out - And guess what ... it does not work!! The Utility does not even permit me to select an alternate phrase to generate the WEP key myself.

Overall I have to say a very poor product. I have used the Linksys, D-Link, Netgear and US Robotics products in the past. Comparing these brands I am a clear favorite of Linksys, closely followed by D-Link.

Overall it seems to me that Micorsoft cut some coners with their wireless products. This is not the way to gain market share in hardware devices. I recommend they stick to software.

A frustrated Wireless Networker

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Easy to use, but mine drops connection often
Review: I purchased the Microsoft Wireless G Base Station and matching PCI card for my desktop. The base station works great and is rock solid with my notebook.

The Microsoft Desktop Wireless card is a different story. Sure it was easy to set up, but is constantly losing the wireless connection, forcing me to tell it to reconnect. My desktop is just on the other side of the room from the base station, so range isn't a problem. When I'm connected the software tells me I've got a Strong connection, then it just loses it every 5 minutes or so. I can't download any large files on this computer because it loses the connection too often.

This baby is being exchanged for a different brand of Wireless G PCI card.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Easy to use, but mine drops connection often
Review: I purchased the Microsoft Wireless G Base Station and matching PCI card for my desktop. The base station works great and is rock solid with my notebook.

The Microsoft Desktop Wireless card is a different story. Sure it was easy to set up, but is constantly losing the wireless connection, forcing me to tell it to reconnect. My desktop is just on the other side of the room from the base station, so range isn't a problem. When I'm connected the software tells me I've got a Strong connection, then it just loses it every 5 minutes or so. I can't download any large files on this computer because it loses the connection too often.

This baby is being exchanged for a different brand of Wireless G PCI card.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Much better than some of these negative reviews indicate
Review: I was very skeptical before purchasing this product based on several negative reviews I read. But based on my experiences, this is a great product. Installation was much easier than the three Netgear products I use on other computers, and performance of this adapter is superior as well. I've always been a big Netgear fan, so frankly, I was surprised by this. The configuration utility is better than the Netgear utility as well (e.g. its easier to update the driver online). Overall I'm very happy with this product (my first Microsoft hardware).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Product
Review: Installaion is easy with accompaning setup disk. Works best when coupled with all Microsoft hardware. Mine setup with MN-700 Microsoft Wireless Base Station. Connectivity is fast and, appropriately positioned, at peak 54mbps connection speed. My first wireless network and I expect to keep it for years and years.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Simple and Swee!
Review: Installaion is easy with accompaning setup disk. Works best when coupled with all Microsoft hardware. Mine setup with MN-700 Microsoft Wireless Base Station. Connectivity is fast and, appropriately positioned, at peak 54mbps connection speed. My first wireless network and I expect to keep it for years and years.


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