Rating: 
Summary: Excellent router choice for network newbie!
Review: I recently bought my first laptop PC and thought it would be very handy to have a home network to connect to my desktop -- to share the high-speed Internet connection, print, make data backups, etc. I chose the Microsoft MN-700 base station, and I'm very glad I did!I don't know much about networks, but the Microsoft software set-up makes it a snap. The software walks you through each step of the set-up process, and nothing is very difficult to do. Eg, you have to give a name (anything you want) to the base station, to the network itself, etc. You do need to pay careful attention to the instructions on the screen, because if you jump the gun and do something out-of-order, it may ruin the set-up process. I did have one bump during the installation procedure. For some reason, when the software was trying to verify the settings that I had input and write them to the base station, it kept failing -- I think it was trying to access the Internet to do something, but I'm not sure. I did have restart the set-up process a few times, and finally, inexplicably, one of my attempts worked! I don't know what I did differently, if anything, during the set-up attempt that "took" but with a little persistence, it worked okay. I didn't understand about WEP keys, but I chose 128-bit encryption to protect my network. The set-up doesn't make it plain that you need to write down the 26-character encryption key that it generates, because you'll need to input that same string of 26 characters into your laptop when it tries to authenticate for the first time. BTW, I have Windows XP Home Edition on my home computer and laptop. Once I figured out that I had to transpose the 26-character WEP encryption key to my laptop, but laptop was able to connect to the Internet just fine! I had a problem with file sharing and printing. I run Symantec's Norton Internet Security (NIS) 2004, and the personal firewall is turned on. In NIS, I had to run the Home Networking wizard so NIS would configure the firewall for my home network. Once that happened, I could print and share files on my network. If you're running NIS (or another software firewall), you have to turn-off Windows XP firewall -- the setup procedures will give you this chance, so be sure to disable Windows XP firewall. Also, you have to make sure to turn on file sharing on both the laptop and the desktop. Right click on a folder, choose Properties, then click the Sharing tab to enable folder sharing. If you're a newbie like me, you CAN setup your own network without too much difficulty. Plan on making at least one phone call to a techie friend or to tech support to get over some hurdle you encounter. Since I've installed everything, my network runs very smoothly and reliably. For less than $50, this router is an unbelievable deal. Note: Microsoft is going out of the wireless router business, so don't plan on future hardware upgrades and probably minimal support for firmware updates. But if you get your network up and running, you won't likely be affected by this Microsoft business decision.
Rating:
Summary: Microsoft will not leave the wireless business
Review: I don't own the MN700 base station. But I own the microsoft USB wireless receiver. I read the review of the last writer regarding Microsoft will leave the wireless business. WRONG ! Absolute incorrect. Do not listen to the word from the circuit city salesman. Guys! Think! Wireless will be the future of another great money making business. Wi-Fi will become more and more popular. Do you think Bill Gate will surrender in this big market? Don't be fool! Wireless is the trend of this computer world in next era. I have no doubt that Microsoft will invest more in the wireless market. I think you should worry about Microsoft will become a monopoly in this wireless world again.
Rating: 
Summary: Potential Warning
Review: I was told by a salesman at Circuit City last night that Microsoft announced last week that they are getting out of the router/wireless networking business. I tried to confirm this info by searching the internet today, but couldn't locate anything (doesn't mean it's not true though). Perhaps consider LinkSys or D-Link instead? Because the included firewall is not configurable (with the exception of using Port Forwarding), I've had difficulties with the things I've needed to do. Microsoft Online Support works well for questions, and they were able to walk me thru what I had to do to get the webcam that we host working, but they couldn't get the Windows XP Pro Remote Desktop feature to come through their firewall. They said it might be because my router is faulty, so they are replacing it. I am not optimistic that this will fix my Remote Desktop issue. It's most likely a problem related to the unconfigurable firewall. If I could just start over, I'd probably go with the LinkSys router and wireless adapter.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Easy setup, If u've problems, reinstall the software.
Review: Well, I read all the reviews on Amazon and was almost on the verge of concluding that ONLY LINKSYS is the real wireless router and the others are just cheap imitations. Thankfully i didn't rush to buy a $100 router and bought this cheap router from "unreliable" microsoft as many would put it. Its nice looking too instead of looking like an alien with two long antennae. The setup is easy if you read the instructions first!! I hooked to the ethernet connection of my computer for setup. i think its just better that way. I had a hiccup in the beginning coz the software probably didn't load correctly. happens, its Microsoft. so i uninstalled it, rebooted and reloaded the software where in the options it showed me the basestation setup option. it wasn't available on first attempt. i think my compy had a grudge then. anyway, the setup is easy, asks you what you want to do, how to setup and all that. I had the mixed mode default for wireless. It has MAC Filtering (is that an option??) and 128/256 bit encryption that i use from my notebook to the basestation just in case some peeping tom wants to see what i do. A thing to note though, when you try getting that key from the base station utility, the textbox doesn't show the whole damn key so i fought for about an hour on my notebook blaming everyone and everything around me and in this world for the mess till i read that the key is 26 characters and the one i had was smaller. Now i started blaming myself and yes, Microsoft. anyways, i connect perfectly. even when you run that utility, it will tell u your IP, your base station, whether you are connected to the internet and yes, any other network shared devices. i have two desktops on the ethernet connections and a laptop and i share the printer on one of the desktops, fax software on the other. so am pretty happy and content with the setup. the speed is pretty good too. i copied a huge file, about 600MB from my laptop to my desktop and it was pretty fast. I use an Asante FriendlyLAN 802.11G card for my notebook FYI.
Rating:
Summary: Nice features, easy install, 2-yr tech support
Review: Got it 2 weeks ago, from amazon.com for under $44...looks like it raised the price already. I was very careful in following the instruction--knowing that the order of installation is paramount in making installation go smoothly... and it all worked well, nearly the first time.
1) make sure cable modem is first working.
2) then install router, then make sure all still works,
3) then install software to each wired and wireless clients,
4) then install the wireless connection, WEP key.
All went fairly smoothly....if you follow the directions, carefully.... The wired connection 100Mbps is obviously good, and the wireless connection is stable, and fairly fast...I get 54Mbps when I am nearly the router, and even near top speed when I am on second floor, have not tried from the basement; From outside the garage, about 50 feet away from the router, the speed decreased to about 1/2, which is still good enough, given that the cable modem gives me max 2Mbps anyway. I finally was playing around the configuration and messed up the configuration, so that my wireless connection was lost....called MS, and was told I have 24-hour support for 2 years... and talked to an 'offshore' tech support.... At first he tried to pass me off as HW problem, and ask me to talk to PC vendor...but after some convincing, he stayed on and tried several other fixes, and finally fixed the problem....(I had accidently changed my laptop to act as a brideg instead of just being a client). So, so far so good....the price is great. The product works, the connection is good, and support is there.... Recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: Reboot router every day or forget it
Review: Bad Product / Four Reasons :
1) Wizard setup forces you to broadcast SSID / security hazard
2) Router drops wireless connections / must reboot router
3) Tech support asks you to reboot / no long-term fix
4) WPA support only for patched Windows XP
Rating:
Summary: Firmware Update Resolved Lost Connections
Review: ALL PROBLEMS RESOLVED - RECOMMEND PRODUCT - I was about ready to return the MN-700 because I could not keep a connection for more than a minute or two. With a Customer Support person on the line, the connection problem was completely resolved once I was able to stay connected long enough (with the base station utility running) to download and install the latest firmware update. I earlier had used my broadband connection to download the update, but bypassed the router because of the connection problem. However, it turns out that in doing that, only he MN-700 Broadband Software utility was updated and not the firmware. Secondly, prior to resolving the dropped connections problem, Customer Support was very patient and persistent in also helping me to resolve the preliminary issue of my network adapter card not being recognized by the MN-700 installation utility which it turns out was my problem and not the MN-700's because the "winipcfg" command (Windows 98 IP Configuration viewing command) also was not showing it even though it was installed and I had been using it for 6 months with my DSL connection. The recognition problem was resolved by completely uninstalling my network card as well as the dial-up modem card and reinstalling them. Regarding Customer Service, I had mostly very good experience. In the 5 or so calls I made to Customer Service, I was never on hold for more than 1-3 minutes and the calls were very professional, with a case number being assigned on the first call. The only negatives with Customer Service were that one time a representative was to call me back, but did not and another time a telephone connection was lost while talking to a representative. However, I am glad that I did not return the product!!
Rating:
Summary: Easy set up, but mysterious drops
Review: I decided to move up to g from b, from linksys to MS. No setup problems, ran great straight out of the box. But, and this is the reason for three stars, the router just drops connections at random. I read an earlier review that mentioned the same thing. I've looked for fixes on the MS site, but no mention of the issue when I last looked (I'm in Iraq for another four months, so maybe by the time I get back, there will be a firm ware fix). If you don't mind resetting your router anywhere from once a day to several times a day, no issues. If,like me, you find it annoying, stay away.
Rating:
Summary: Hardware works, but instructions need rewriting
Review: I bought the MN-700 wireless router because it's much cheaper than the other brands. I followed the instructions per the foldout guide and couldn't get the router to recognize my cable modem. Also, the documentation stated I would get prompts for certain things and I never got these prompts. After an hour or so of reviewing the documentation, I decided to follow my gut and rebooted my computer, turned off the cable modem and router and restarted everything. After that, everything worked fine. I don't have any connection drops and getting my laptop to recognize the wireless was very easy.
Rating: 
Summary: You should expect more from a wireless router...
Review: One big issue I have is intermittent disconnects, maybe once or twice an hour. Not a big deal for the average surf the web, read some email user, but as an multi-player gamer, I can't stand being disconnected. I don't know what the router is doing when it drops, I imagine a firmware update may fix this (one day). I have 2 PC's connected, and they both drop, so it's definately the router. I've had experiences with MANY different wireless routers, and I wish I listened to the little voice inside my head when I bought this one. I wanted to try Microsoft, I was curious how their entry into the hardware market would play out. As they say, curiousity killed the cat, and Microsoft belongs in software. If you don't mind a disconnect here or there, and you really want to save $30...then buy Microsoft...otherwise, stick with the network hardware companies...Linksys, Netgear, Belkin. So does anyone want to buy a slightly-used MN-700 wireless router?
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