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Linksys WUSB12 Wireless-B Compact USB Adapter

Linksys WUSB12 Wireless-B Compact USB Adapter

List Price: $105.00
Your Price: $57.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Totally sweet!
Review: I have a wired & wireless 802.11b Linksys network, which has been working well for some time (and now works even better since the addition of a Linksys Wireless Signal Booster).
Recently I became a Beta tester for Tivo's new home network (which I'll review +++ once the NDA expires), so my Tivo-2 needed to access the network via its now-active USB ports. I bought this WUSB12, took it out of the box, plugged it into the Tivo, and I was done. Turning on the Tivo, I went to setup and found it had already recognized the network. I selected the network as my connection choice, it tested the connection and then executed an entire day's download in about 15 seconds. Wow.
The device itself is slick, looking like some kind of big Sharpie. Sliding off the pen-clip cover exposes the business end of this USB device, and also allows access to the release button for the little antenna. There are 2 lights in the base, one for power and one for link detection. The package includes a little USB cable (if you need one) and a lanyard to carry this thing around your neck (not me). I did install the software, which was painless and in my case (network is not password protected) not really necessary. I predict this is going to be a very successful product as more and more wireless networks are deployed in public places like schools, libraries, malls and coffee houses.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Works Great with Tivo
Review: I initially purchased the Linksys WUSB-11 v2.8 from Amazon but found out that my Tivo Series2 did not support the 2.8 version, only 2.6 (Tivo now has a beta upgrade that will support v2.8). I had heard of signal strength problems with the WUSB-12 so I was hesitant. I went out and tried it anyway and it works perfectly. Tivo recognized it immediately and installed a firmware upgrade automatically. I get 70% signal strength, my access point is in my office and the Tivo is in the living room.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: It's small and it works
Review: I like this adapter for my wireless network. It's small, and it can attach directly to a USB port or use the included USB extension, if space don't permit. I've had a problem with PC Card-based adapters, and this is an improvement over other USB adapters, because you don't have to use the included cable.

It's also great for travelling, because it can fit in a shirt pocket with the clip on the cap if you're looking for hot spots.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: No problems.
Review: I really like it. I have several versions of Linksys wireless adapters for various computers. All work great, but this is the easiest to use, since it is USB.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Works great...
Review: I recently reviewed the Linksys BEFW11S4 wireless routing gateway which is a great product. This review covers the wireless adapter that allows any device to recieve network access via the thin air.

Features:

WEP support -- A basic encryption protocol that can be broken if a cracker has the time and horsepower to do it, but for most home networks perfectly acceptable to keep your network happeings away from casually prying eyes.

Small unobtrusive design -- comes with a convenient pen clip and necklace for carrying around if you are on the road. I will use this a great deal as my laptop is my mobile business.

USB Interface/extension cable -- A convenient USB interface (1.1) is provided, more than fast enough for pretty much any use.

Installation:

The software installation varies with the OS you have running but is next to seamless either way. (I installed it on XP and win2000 without a hitch) On my network I use a unique SSID, WEP encryption and MAC restrictions on the router to make sure that the connnection is as secure as possible. Depending on weather or not you are using these features you may have different steps to take for attaching to the network. I had to install all three but after doing so I was able to connect to the WLAN without issue. Using the laptop 3 meters away reported "excellent" signal strength, moving it 2 floors up reported "very good" with no noticeable reduction in speed outstanding. The link has stayed strong without any drop out's but it's only been a few days. I configured another machine to use the adapter on the second floor, set it up to print wirelessly to the print server on my wired network and configured internet access in a few minutes.

Summary -- The device does what it is supposed to as far as I can see and does it without drop outs. A good example, I was able to wirelessly play mp3's on the laptop from a wired machine while my girlfriend used the laptop to wirelessly surf the web and watch videos from launch.com allwithout any hickups or apparent reduction in speed. Makes me wish I got into Wi-fi a bit sooner! All in all a great adapter for your WLAN, highly recommended.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Save on adapters, save on screwdriver time.
Review: I spotted the WUSB12 on LinkSys website prior to its general availability which was about a month after I had gotten a Linksys Wireless G router. I had an immediate need for one and got it as soon as I could.

Its a little bigger than I had imagined from the picture but still very compact. Absolutely a time saver over installing hardware about the same effort as PCMCIA adapaters.

I use it daily to quickly enable old Win 98 desktops I have for wireless when I need them to be networked. Since I don't need to have them all active at once I saved on the cost of permanent hardware (PCI or other) and the small size makes it easy to deal with (versus other USB wireless adapters).

Installation was a snap, software easy to install. I have used it with Win2k, Win9a and XP systems. The extension cable is a must and makes use with rear USB slots on desktops much easier. The built in antenna is not always necessary but at a distance from the router I did find it very helpful. This is another place the extension cable comes in handy as you can orient the entire adapter to the optimum location for transmission.

The only issue I have had relates to the antenna when I've used the adapter on laptops. Some laptops have the USB port inverted from the normal position this mean that the antenna ends up pointing down. If the computer is actually on your lap its probably okay but on a tabletop the antenna just can't open.

All in all a great product. I'll be getting another one shortly.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Brilliant concept, Terrible performance
Review: I thought this product was a brilliant concept - the form factor is great. No wall-wart power supply, etc. However, the performance is terrible. I've used almost every Linksys wireless product with the BEFW11S4 - the PCMCIA card (WPC11), the Wireless Bridge (WET11), and this one. The other products perform much better.

I bought two of these for two home machines. They both struggled with reception (only about 30 feet away, through a couple of walls), getting 0 to 20% signal strength, averaging probably 8%. It would drop out completely for a while at times. This is WITH the linksys signal booster on top of the BEFW11S4.

With the machines in the exact same place I hooked up a WET11 bridge instead. I get 80% signal strength or better, and no dropped connections. It is much faster, presumably because of less error and retries.

I am returning both of these and using either WET11s on my machines, or trying the WUSB11 adapter, which has an antenna. Hopefully that one performs better. The form factor is not as good and it requires power, but at least it should work well.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent for TiVo
Review: I was able to network my TiVo to my home (wired and wireless) network within five minutes of opening this adapter. TiVo recognized, updated and configured the adapter without a glitch. It has worked flawlessly since installation--the connection to my network is always excellent. I'm quite happy with this device.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Holy Moly, it was easy to setup........
Review: It was very easey to set up and use. First I allowed the MAC address in the Linksys 802.11g router. Then I plugged it into my laptop, installed the software. I set up the SSID and 128-bit WEP and off I was surfing from my living room. I get pretty good speeds from about 50 ft from router. Decent speeds about 150 ft from router as well.

I would buy another and recommend it. I read in a previous review that it gets hot to touch. I have not experienced this, even after 8-9 hours of use.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Perfect for Tivo!!!
Review: Like other users have stated, this adapter is PERFECT for Tivo. Plug it in and Tivo recognizes and upgrades the device. So easy to use, I highly recommend it!


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