Rating: 
Summary: Easy to install, consistent connectivity
Review: I received this wireless card as a gift with the Linksys wireless access point. This card was VERY easy to install in my IBM T21 laptop running Windows 2000. The Linksys wireless access point works great, but there have been a number of reviews on the difficulty configuring the Linksys card--we ran into similar problems after purchasing a Linksys Card for a second laptop in the house). After doing my own product comparison, I would highly recommend the NetGear wireless card over the Linksys card. For range of signal and ease of setup, the NetGear card is far superior. With the NetGear Card connectivity rarely drops, and I had no need to download additional drivers to install the card. When placed equidistant from the Linksys wireless access point, we'd see an Excellent Link Quality on the Netgear card Configuration utility, but on the similar utility on the Linksys card, we would see either poor or NO signal. This Netgear card is a fine product, I'm definitely enjoying the freedom of no wires while surfing the web.
Rating: 
Summary: Flat antenna - an advantage over the other wireless cards
Review: I have a small network of laptops connected wirelessly with a Lucent Orinoco RG-1000 access point, and I buy workstation cards by price. I've used (or currently using) Lucent, 3Com, Microsoft, Linksys, and Netgear cards, and they all work find with similar range and speed (in my environment).I decided to keep this card because it has an advantage over the other cards - its flat antenna. With the other cards, the bulging antennas are taller than the thickness of the cards, forcing you to use it at the TOP PC Card slot. This means you'll *NOT* be able to use a (necessarily) tall PCMCIA card such as an USB 2.0 adapter. With the Netgear, I can put the wireless card at the bottom slot, and the USB card can occupy the top slot. Perfecto! The card works with XP Pro and my Lucent RG-1000 without any problem and was up and running in 5 minutes. I guess the only complain I have is that the system tray icon is kinda ugly and amaturish! :) Update: After using it for a few weeks, I'm still very satisified with it. It keeps up at 11mbps at locations where my other Lucent cards drops to 6mbps (per XP system tray icon). I did notice that it does not have an Activity light (only a Link light), so you can't see externally that your card is transmitting data, which can be useful at times.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Wireless System
Review: I recently purchased this Netgear MA401 and the Netgear MR814 Router for my desktop and laptop computers. I was able to set this wireless network up in about 15-20 minutes by just following the great step by step directions that accompany the router. The setup for the laptop was just as simple. I was amazed that I had it up and running so quick. My last networking attempt with Linksys was a nightmare. It took me hours and several calls to tech support, who kept me on hold forever. I finally gave up. After reading the reviews for Netgear, I figured I would give it another shot. The installation was a breeze! I had only one question about setting up the Netgear compact flash adapter MA701 for my PDA and contacted Netgear tech support. My call was answered immediately and I had the solution in minutes. I am very satified with Netgear's products and their customer service department. I highly recommend any of the Netgear wireless products.
Rating:
Summary: Easy to install and works great!
Review: I purchased the MA-401 along with the Netgear FM114P router (see separate review)from Amazon. I am using a DELL 5000 Inspiron laptop running Windows 2000. The package had a newer version of the software (according to the literature) and the installation instructions were actual screens shots of the install process with appropriate responses to be selected at each step. The installation took about 5 minutes. I shutdown the laptop, plugged in the MA-401 and booted then inserted the installation CD. The installation was true plug and play. After installation the card worked flawlessly. In a 2500 sq ft home (plus basement) the card worked well in every room including the basement. The FM114P router was located on the first floor. The MA-401 also worked outside but the signal weakened about 40-50 feet from the house and orientation of the laptop then determined signal strength. A co-worker bought the same setup to use with a Compaq laptop running NT. Installation was more tricky with NT(need to read the manual) and we had more trouble getting the system working reliably but it now seems OK. Setting up the printer port and changing router/card setting for encryption, SSID, etc. was less straight forward than initial card installation but not a huge task. The MA-401 and the FM114P work together right out of the box without configuration but will be less secure if not configured. I highly recommend both the MA-401 and the FM114P.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent wireless card!
Review: I was looking for a wireless card to hook up my Sony PCG-C1VG to my home and office network when I came across the Netgear MA401 wireless PC card bundled with the Netgear ME102 access point. Since I have been using a Netgear FS105 switch in my home network for the past 1 1/2 years without any problems, I decided to give this bundle a try. (Was initially swaying towards a Orinoco Silver card 2nd hand for USD55 and an Enzer AP). The price of USD152 was also very attractive. The MA401 came in an attractive package and the contents were well organized. Installation was real easy following the clear written instructions in 8 simple steps. Only problem was that I had to copy the driver cum card utility files from my external CDROM to the notebook first because the CDROM interface card plugged into the PCMCIA slot and that slot was to be occupied by the MA401. Hope that didn't look too confusing :) Within 10 mins of installation, I had access to the Internet but it took another extra 10 mins to custom configure the card to my network. With the MA401, access to my office network was also no issue. All in all, this is an excellent card for those who are looking to hook up their notebooks to a wireless network with minimal fuss.
Rating: 
Summary: It worked at 1st, then died! No instructions for new drivers
Review: I'm running Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 on a IBM Thinkpad T21 laptop. I bought the Netgear access point (ME102) and connected that to my Linksys 4 Port DSL/Cable Modem firewall router. I installed and configured the access point and MA401 card on my IBM laptop. At first the wireless card worked. Although I started getting a few blue screens of death, it worked okay. Despite my system become slightly more unstable I was happy. Then all of a sudden it stopped working. The LED on the PC Card would only go on for a second and then turn off. After a few calls to Netgear's support desk and doing some troubleshooting with them, they realized my MA401 PC Card was dead. Netgear sent me a new one after I sent them my bad card (pretty decent support) at no cost. It now works but my system is slightly unstable when I use it (blue screen of death once a week or so). To make my system more stable I have been attempting to install new MA401 drivers from Netgear. I downloaded a file called MA401v200.zip, which I believe are new drivers but I cannot figure out for the life of me how to install the new drivers. There are no instructions. I am a seasoned IT person but I still can't figure out how to install the new MA401 drivers. Given all of this I can't recommend the MA401 wireless access card. The ME102 access point is fine. I get good coverage in the house. I even get a signal from the basement, two floors below the access on the 2nd floor of the house (wooden house with sheet rock). FYI - I bought all of the networking gear on Amazon.
Rating:
Summary: Easy, never fails
Review: I have 2 wireless cards, one being this one. It works better, never fails me, and gets better reception than my other one. It was easy to install. It, as does any wireless card, does stick out from the computer, but it's very sturdy and I've never had a problem during my daily travels with the computer.
Rating:
Summary: Works
Review: Works with my Windows XP laptop and Netgear MR814 802.11b router. Latest release of XP worked with the card, did not have to install anything from the Netgear CD.
Rating:
Summary: New to wireless, but it was simple!!!
Review: This netgear product had me scratching my head for a minute or two, but once I realized that I was connected to my network, I was happy. Setup was simple. Im on my laptop right now and can go anywhere in my house with an excellent signal. I would recommend this product to anybody. I tried using the Linksys Wireless B card, but it wasnt good at all. I returned it and got this. Definately 5 stars on this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Product. Non-existent Tech Support!
Review: Sent to Netgear 11/12/03:
(The MA401 installed on my Windows 95 laptop without too much trouble a year ago. When I got a new SONY VAIO XP laptop, I tried to install the card in it.)
After contacting Netgear Tech Support twice and twice being connected to a non-primary english speaking staff person, my inability to install my MA401 Wireless PCM-CIA card on my new Sony VAIO XP laptop persists. The first person I "communicated" with directed me to a "personal" web page of a German for assistance. The second person that I "communicated" with told me to turn off my XP firewall but offered no instruction on how to do that, leaving me to investigate on my own how to complete that task. I did and while I have a wireless network connection now and an IP Address, I can still not connect to any resource through any browser.
After purchasing Netgear products for several years, my next purchases will be of another brand to see if they offer english speaking tech support staff that actually assists users.
Do (they) do any quality control of (their) tech support staff?
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