Rating: 
Summary: Good hardware with software/resource problems
Review: I bought the netgear wireless system to connect two home computers. The hardware set up is just as easy as the promotional brochure promises, but there are real problems trying to make various software programs sync. I consider myself to be a fairly experienced PC user, but not a network administrator. Netgear's website and manuals are useless for most people who are not complete "techies" with network experience. For example, it is very difficult to make AOL work with the Netgear router online set up program. Because there is no software included to actually program the router directly (everything must be done online), you get stuck in circular logic if you can't connect to figure out why you can't connect. It would have been helpful if Netgear had included some diagnostic software to help users determine the source of connectivity conflicts, or at least have made the manual robust enough to be useful. I would recommend this product only for someone with strong networking experience.
Rating: 
Summary: This is the real deal.
Review: I've owned a Linksys wired 4-port router switch (BEFSR41) for over 3 years and wanted to go wireless; an office supply chain store had mail-in rebate offers on MICROSOFT's router and PCMCIA card, and thinking it was a good deal, I bit. Their product felt cheap coming out of the box, and was it ever -- it couldn't keep the connection on my Cable modem. My IM program kept getting booted off, about every 20 seconds... try to have a conversation! The salesperson swore to me that he's never had problems with those before, that maybe my wireless phone was interfering (so much so that my WIRED computers had the same problems??) but sorry - I know everything was set up correctly, and the quality just wasn't there... and I'm not paid to be their beta tester, I wasn't going to wait for a firmware upgrade! Back to the store with you, next please! So I surfed around for a better option, looked at the reviews here and at CNET, and found this router. Most reviews were good, and the cliche "Acme co., NEVER AGAIN!" posts weren't too numerous. I thought I would wait to replace my Linksys with another Linksys since I've been relatively happy with it, but aided by a generous mail-in rebate, I gave this - and Netgear's MA401 PCMCIA card - a shot. One word: FANTASTIC! My IM programs work great, websurfing is spotless, and DMZ works well for my gaming 'needs' (although I'm not a "hard-core" PC gamer... PS2 rules!). It worked great out of the box, it accepted my advanced settings (disabled DHCP, etc) without a hitch, and I get a good signal & throughput across my house (above 80% anywhere indoors, always at 11mbps). Let's not kid ourselves, the installation of ANY network device requires a minimum of computer knowledge, so I won't tell you that "it's so easy anyone can do it"... but even if you're a complete novice, at least this machine will work invisibly once you have someone help you install it. If you know the difference between an IP address and an e-mail address, you'll likely have no trouble. And if you're a wannabe-techie, this machine isn't so dumbed-down as to be completely neutered... you can configure it to do what you want it to do. BOTTOM LINE: Rock-bottom price, yet works great. Easy to install as networking gets. Thoroughly configurable. Looks really cool in your office. Look no further.
Rating:
Summary: Could not have been easier!
Review: I usually require some help from a more computer-literate family member when setting up new toys on my computers. Netgear's installation was simple. I did it all myself without breaking a sweat nor cursing! Everything worked on first try and I'm surfing online, sharing files and printing all within an hour of opening the box. I've read the horror stories here about calling tech support for other brands and it makes me glad I didn't even give those brands a single glance when I was shopping.
Rating:
Summary: A good buy, easy to use
Review: I bought one of those Linksys firewalls ages ago, and it was a pain to configure with my DSL service. This one was plug-and-play easy and had the wireless LAN to boot. I have had this for over a month now, and I still don't see any downside to it!
Rating: 
Summary: Printer & File sharing
Review: Broadband sharing is excellent and it did not take more than a minute to get going. The router was also bought so we could share the color printer and the laser printer attached locally on two separate computers(One upstairs and other downstairs) I could print only once from the downstairs computers to the upstairs computer. But after the boot up next day I am losing the connectivity. I have tried to assign static IP addresses to the computer - but no luck. And when I ask Netgear for support -- they say I have to pay per incident charges!!! their CS really [is bad]!!!
Rating:
Summary: The best
Review: This is my first time purchasing a wireless product such as this and I am absoultly thrilled with it. I can be anywhere in my home and Netgear comes through for me. I have been going around and around reviewing and comparing all of the wireless products on the market and I finally chose Netgear. Netgear does all it says it does. It was quick and easy even for me and I would highly recommend it to the beginner and the novice pc user.
Rating:
Summary: Good and Easy
Review: This is a good product and it's bascially east to set up. One thing to lookout for...When setting up WEP, make sure that you enter the Encryption code on the remote system. The setup doesn't mention this. Other than that, it works great and sets up in a flash.
Rating:
Summary: Best Thing Since Sliced Bread
Review: I have a laptop with a Symbol wireless PCMCIA card that I use for work and wanted to be able to use it unteathered at home. I still have other "wired" devices at home and wasn't yet ready to convert them to wireless.
This unit fit the bill perfectly, it has replaced my old "wired" router completely. It has 4 "wired" ports in addition to the wireless interface. I didn't even use the installation CD that came with it. I only had to cycle power on my cable modem to make it work properly. The web configuration also seems very "friendly".
I also enabled the 128bit WEP encryption to match my configuration at work. My Symbol wireless card works seemlessly with the Netgear router. It's great.
Rating:
Summary: Plug and Go
Review: I just upgraded ... I can tell you this... If your not sure about networking.. Scared etc... Don't be... This baby sets itself up... All I did was plug Cable modem to internet... and Computer to router #4 I choose... and boom... It works fine... For people who use Macintosh... This is the best inexpensive router to get... ... This is way better than the airport folks... Cheaper too.. I get a Very Good reception for the other computer located not even 45 yards away in the other room... This is the way...
Rating:
Summary: Not so hot
Review: Came home and hooked it up with my Earthlink DSL. Didn't work. Checked the message boards around the internet and found out that it dosen't work with XP. They were right. Used my Windows 2000 laptop and it went through without a hitch. Now here is the problem. I went across my apartment (1 bedroom) and the signal is poor..... Don't buy if you have walls in your house.
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