Rating: 
Summary: An interesting-looking, but useless, blinking bit of plastic
Review: Microsoft has never failed to disappoint me, (I suppose there is something to be said for consistency) and this carries on that somewhat dubious tradition. I bought this with a the MN-700 wireless router, and both worked fine for a couple weeks. However, they both conspiratively proceeded to stop functioning. This card was the most maddening of the pair, because it would find the wireless network every once in a while, yet refuse to connect. I've tried every channel, and made sure its on infrastructure mode, but it still refuses to work. I suppose I deserve it, though, expecting that a microsoft wireless card would connect to a microsoft wireless router with a microsoft operating system. Do yourself a favor and buy your wireless networking from a decent company that has some expertise in networking, like Linksys or Belkin. Whatever you do, give as little money as possible to this shoddy company.
Rating: 
Summary: Blue Screens of Death!!!
Review: Running Windows XP Pro with every available patch and all the latest drivers, and this card crashes my system (infamous blue screen of death) several times each day. I had predicted that this card would be 100% compatible and very stable ... foolish wishful thinking on my part I guess.I'm about to give up on this MN-720 and switch to the Lucent/Agere/Proxim Orinoco 11b card that I've been using for years without ANY problems. I know this must be a driver issue, but I don't have the time or patience to pursue MS support for this, I'd rather just chalk it up to a loss and learn from the experience. If you don't have time to waste troubleshooting, stay away from this card!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Easy setup, fast, secure connections...
Review: The notebook adapter couldn't have installed any easier. I was up and running in less than 5 minutes. No problems connecting to B and G networks, even with a secure connection. The only fault-- but all notebook adapters have this problem-- is that it extends outside of the notebook. Just remember to remove the card before putting your notebook in your case!
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad
Review: The setup is easy in XP, insert the CD to let XP search for the driver(if not, that'll be a big joke for Microsoft). But the software "Microsoft Broadband Networking" coming in the CD is useless, and the version with the product is out-of-date.
I have tried to connect it to several campus wireless networks. So far so good. Pretty reliable. But all of them are 11b, not encrypted. Haven't tried 11g yet. Initially, the network connections were dropped suddenly for a couple of times. I found that, by unchecking the option "Notify me when this connection has limited or no conectivity" in the Property, this problem is solved. So far I am happen with it, besides I only paid 15 bucks for it during a compusa sale event.
Rating:
Summary: Poor Support
Review: This device installs nicely on a plug-and-play-ready XP system, but heaven help you if things don't go smoothly: I went to install the device on another machine which apparently doesn't have the drivers preinstalled (odd, since it's brand new). Went to find the drivers on Microsoft's site and, after clicking through the usual twenty screens required to actually find something there, wound up being told to "contact the manufacturer." A typical Microsoft customer experience. Is it too much work to maintain a driver library in a convenient place?
Rating:
Summary: Excellent laptop card
Review: This laptop wireless card has worked flawlessly. Easy setup instructions (install software first) and then install the card in your notebook. Excellent (54 MBPS) to good reception (36 MBPS) even at longest distance from access point. Not trying to offend anyone, some other review complained that its not compatible with a DLink router. First rule in wireless, never mix and match brands for your system. I also bought the base station, which was easy to setup. I enabled WPA security and MAC filtering without a hitch. One con - the manual tells you to enter a unique name for your SSID. Just enter 3 or 4 spaces for your name, there's no reason to broadcast any name, your wireless card will pick up all close range broadcasts and you just won't see any name, which is confusing to any one war driving or your neighbors. Any other setup problems reported by previous reviews was easy to see that they are computer illiterate. Not their fault, just their lack of knowledge. I'm running Win XP with all the latest patches. To run WPA you must download the WPA patch on all computers associated with your devices. If you don't know what WPA is, then you shouldn't be using wireless. This is a good card...and the base station is just as good, plus.....the price is very affordable.
Rating:
Summary: Solid performance in a variety of situaitons
Review: We run 802.11x both at home and at work. As a network engineer I have used a variety of 802.11x adapters, with PDA's, tablet PC's, and laptops, against Access Points from a variety of vendors. Both at home/work and while traveling. We purchased 3 of these Microsoft 802.11g PC Cards a month ago and have been very satisfied with them. They have solid performance in a variety of situations. I have not tried their tech support, or had any warranty issues. I am looking to purchase another 802.11g PC Card and will again buy Microsoft, even if it means paying a bit more. Should a warranty issue arise I would expect a more professional response from Microsoft than what I have received recently from other competing vendors.
Rating:
Summary: Compatibility Issues Galore
Review: Won't connect to a Dlink router under WEP? C'mon, the other 3 devices we have do, and we sure as heck didn't have to change the router settings - and of course it was the routers fault, never MS! I gave this failed installation about one hour's work, then decided that other products worked without any hassle, and took this back to the store.
I'm normally a MS fan (yes, they exist), and I'll agree that their decision to exit the wireless market is probably a good thing, if this crap is what they (or their 3rd-party vendor) are turning out.
Rating:
Summary: I have not got it yet I just ordered it
Review: You already no I will let you'll no when it gets here and how it performs.But I trust Bill Gates products any way. So I hope it works and performs well. The five star is for Bill Gates because i trust all of his products. But that five star can go down if I am not impressed.
| 
