Rating: 
Summary: Minimal size, maximum performance and looks!
Review: I traded up to this router after getting a Centrino laptop and couldn't be happier. I realize that the "g" aspect is overkill for the Centrino but it should be useful soon when the components come down in price. I was buying for the future and got such a good deal it didn't make sense to buy for the present (or past). I had a Netgear ethernet router for 2 years that worked flawlessly the entire time and the new owner reports that it also works perfectly for him.This router takes almost no room, is easy to set up, and works really well. It also looks good. I admit that I'm not a network guru by any stretch of the imagination, I'm actually barely competent. I was able, by reading only the online cues, to set this up using maximum incription to work perfectly every time with my laptop. I also set it up to prevent all devices except my laptop from accessing it. I recommend this router to anyone. You can still use your hard-wiring and your 802.11b devices though you will be ready for 5 times the wireless performance and it'll be hard to beat the deals available.
Rating:
Summary: Easy to install. Works great. Looks great!
Review: EASY TO INSTALL... This was my first router installation, but it was easy! The router comes with short, easy-to-follow installation directions. It took me 10-minutes to open the box, read the directions, connect the hardware (it includes a power cord and a network cable), power-up my PC, boot into Windows XP and access the router through Internet Explorer. Netgear's interface is wonderful. Modifying security settings, an optional step, was a breeze. I never even looked at the CD that was included. WORKS GREAT... As soon as my desktop PC booted into Windows XP, I was connected to the Internet through my Road Runner cable connection (my PC was connected to the router via cable; the router, of course, was connected to the cable modem). Laptop connection was almost as easy. I did download the most recent firmware (1102) from Netgear's web site to make the router 100% compatible with the 802.11g specs and to be able to block broadcast of SSID (the upgrade also fixed some minor problems): http://www.netgear.com/support/support_dnld.asp?prodNum=WGR614 LOOKS GREAT... The picture doesn't do it justice, nor will anything I can say. I have the router sitting vertically in its stand. The side LEDs face me. They are clearly marked, lit (or blinking) icons. Thin and elegant. I was torn between Linksys and Netgear. I still respect Linksys, but I am glad that I bought Netgear.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: I was torn between this and the Linksys WRT54G. I read some of the reviews and the Linksys seemed unstable and had a lot of complaints (having to download a patch wasn't in my agenda). Also, the linksys seemed too big and bulky. I was going to go for the Link because I thought bigger was better and since it was more expensive, would perform better. I finally settled for this and the Netgear WG511 Wireless 54g PC Card because it was cheaper and had lesser complaints. Plus, it was a lot smaller. Installation with WinME was a breeze and I couldn't be happier. (Took no more than 15 minutes) I thought it was going to be a hassle but it wasn't. I think having optimum online was part of it (no need to configure ISPs and domain names). The bulk of the 15 mins was the restart and plugging all the cables in. The range for my laptop is excellent. 78% signal strength and the wireless router base is upstairs (I'm in the basement) and two rooms to the right. Now I can surf anywhere in the house! Oh, and here's the kicker... you know how big and bulky that linksys looks? This one has a stand so you can stand it up. If I had seen that, I would've bought this the first day that I had looked at it. First electronic purchase that I didn't regret.
Rating:
Summary: Rock solid, great range
Review: Having dealt with some of the early generation wireless-B products from Linksys and others, this router was am amazing breath of fresh air. Flawless installation and a set of wizards to walk you through. The capability to restrict websites and log what your children are browsing is a big plus. Saving the best for last, the range on this router (combined with the companion wireless G pc card from Netgear) has been nothing short of astounding. Rooms that before had little to no signal are coming in around 65% signal strength with this router. I also really liked the driver's ability to scan for networks and then you can simply select yours. Don't hesitate. Buy this router.
Rating:
Summary: works like a dream!
Review: The product is great. It looks great and it works great. Not like that piece of junk Lynksys that I bought a few months ago and promptly returned because it had "inherent flaws and was not ready for release". Netgear took a little time to set up because sometimes things go funny with XP but their technical support was great, knew exactly what was going on and guided me through the process of installing the router and then the card. Extremely helpful! Now, the connection flies! I tried it in every room of the house, in the backyard, across the street and in my husband's bar downstairs. And it works everywhere!!! I have not been that pleased with a purchase in a long time! Thanks netgear!
Rating: 
Summary: This IS NOT a FIREWALL
Review: Despite Netgear's claims of SPI and True Firewall the WGR614 is not a Firewall.
Netgear's claims are completely bogus. I could see inbound traffic coming through their router straight into well known services in my machine (e.g., netbios, etc.) There is absolutely no way to block this traffic. This "feature" was acknowledged by their tech support. So, if you are thinking of buying this product, here is my advice: DON'T. These are the top four reasons: - It is not a FIREWALL. Netgear's claims are false.
- I could not register for tech support online. Their online registration was down for more than an hour. Then I gave up.
- Their electronic certificate expired on May 2003 and they do not have a new one yet (not good for a company that makes firewalls).
- I spent more than an hour waiting on their hotline and had to talk to two tech support guys to get them to acknowledge they do not have a FIREWALL in the strict sense of the word. I.e., you cannot set your inbound filtering policies, etc. Sergio
Rating: 
Summary: Works great! Easy install.
Review: I bought this router with a matching PC-card to hook my win98 laptop to my verizon dsl service. Installation was fairly easy. I just followed the quick-install card directions. The directions were a little vague on whether to boot the modem or router first, but I booted modem first then router, then my laptop to configure it. It detected the PPPoE and setup the internet connection within 5 min. The web-wizard is clunky and awkward to use, but I figured it out without using the manual. Security on the wireless side is turned off by default which is a concern but makes sense when you're trying to setup a new device and get connected. LOOKS REALLY COOL TOO! My wife doesn't even mind it being in the bedroom!
Rating:
Summary: Doesn't work with many cable modems!
Review: I spent an hour on the phone with tech support for this piece of junk. They told me that it doesn't communicate correctly with many cable modems, including my 3com modem from RCN. Go with something else!!
Rating:
Summary: Unable to stop Wireless router from Broadcasting SSID
Review: Although the documentation indicates that you are able to stop the wireless network from broadcasting the SSID, the option is not available. I contacted Netgear and they agreed that this was a problem and it was going to be fixed in the next firmware release. They stated that the firmware was in the final days of testing. That was two weeks ago. The ability to stop broadcasting the SSID is a basic security feature. I would not purchase this product until the new firmware is released.
Rating:
Summary: Unable to stop Wireless router from Broadcasting SSID
Review: Although the documentation says that you can stop this product from broadcasting the SSID the option is not available when you try to do it. Netgear support has confirmed this is a problem and said that it is releasing new firmware but can't confirm the date. This is a very basic security feature that should be available on all wireless routers. I would not purchase until new firmware is released.
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