SpeedStream? Powerline USB Adapter

Rating:
Summary: Poor Quality Control
Review: Followed setup instructions exactly and still didn't get it to work. Documentation is limited. No mention of entering passcodes in instructions. One of the units would not accept the passcode assigned to it. Found 1 bad USB cable included with unit. Units will only work if everything is on the same 110 volt leg of the house wiring.

Rating:
Summary: WON'T MAINTAIN A CONNECTION!!
Review: I purchased the Siemens 2501, 2502 and 2521 Powerline adapters and connected them to the outlets in my home, (which is less than five years old). The setup was easy but the included instruction guide stated little more than "plug it in".

The problems began when I installed the included configuration software on my three computers equipped with WINDOWS ME and discovered that the utility program either froze Windows or took close to 2 minutes to start. The SpeedStream Support staff is aware of the problem and told me that "the programmers at Efficient Networks are working on it".

The biggest issue I have is that none of the three Powerline products will stay connected for more than 10 minutes! I have tried changing outlets and even tried hooking up the adapters at my friend's house but these things simply refuse to maintain a connection.

Bottom line: Unless you enjoy loosing your network connection and having to get up and reset adapters every ten minutes, stay away from Siemens Powerline products...at least for now.

Rating:
Summary: Better than Wireless
Review: This isn't perfect, but it sure is a whole lot better than the alternative...wireless...it doesn't cut out and gives you a much faster response time...overall pretty good.

Rating:
Summary: Works fine!
Review: We've been using this with our Windows XP system for about a month now. The driver installation was quick and easy, and the physical hookup as simple as could be asked for (short of wireless).

Performance has been quite good between our small home network (1 Windows, 1 Mac, and 1 firewall) and the cable Internet service that I use. I don't have any precise measurements but we've been completely happy.

We don't communicate between our two home systems (yet) so I can't report anything about that.

A previous reviewer mentioned a faulty USB cable coming with the device. I didn't even notice at first that a USB cable was included--it was hidden under a cardboard insert.